The 10 Boat Tours in Ushuaia That Earn Their Price

1.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180Our pick

Spend five hours aboard a warm, modern catamaran from Ushuaia, watching sea lions, cormorants, seabirds, and Magellanic and Papuan penguins. A bilingual guide provides live commentary, with audio support in four languages. You view the penguins from the boat rather than walking on Martillo Island, but the catamaran pulls close to shore.

“Fun and well-organised excursion to see sea lions, cormorants and penguins from up close. We were very lucky and even saw a humpback whale. The only negative/annoying part of this journey were two ladies of the organising agency who took pictures of the passengers. We wanted to enjoy the beautiful animals and they were shouting for people to make room in order for them to take there pics which could then be bought. Very annoying. Otherwise everything was great (even the coffee on board!).”

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2.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92

Spend about five and a half hours aboard a catamaran from Ushuaia, sailing through the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island. You’ll see sea lions, cormorants, historic wreck sites, Chilean views, and summer penguin colonies from the boat. English and Spanish guides provide commentary, with a café, bathrooms, and outdoor decks onboard.

“Good activity overall to see the sea lions and penguins. The boat gets really close to them so it’s perfect for pictures. The boat itself is clean, modern and spacious, with a café on board. There’s seating upstairs and downstairs which is comfortable, and outside space to view at the stops. Staff all super friendly. -Downside is the price was expensive for what it was. -There could have been another stop, maybe at a local fisherman’s village on the way back, as the way back was long. -Could not hear what the tour guide was saying over the microphone, sharing history etc with us. It seemed only one speaker out…”

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3.Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 433 reviews · 2h 30m · from $115

Set out from Ushuaia Bay on a bilingual catamaran cruise to Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Puerto Karelo. You’ll see seabirds, cormorants, sea lions, and perhaps whales, then take a short guided walk to Yamana shell deposits. The boat has heating, toilets, indoor seating, and outdoor viewing areas.

“Good value for the excursion. The scenery was beautiful”

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4.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

Spend about five hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Ushuaia, with bilingual commentary, onboard restrooms, a café, and wildlife viewing from the deck. See seabirds, sea lions, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Almanza, and Magellanic and Gentoo penguins at Isla Martillo. You stay on the boat, with no island landing.

“It's exactly like described. The crew was highly competent and friendly. The tour departed and came back as planned.”

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5.Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 108 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $177

Set out from Ushuaia for a five-hour catamaran trip through the Beagle Channel. You’ll pass sea-lion and bird islands, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Williams, and Martillo Island, where Magellanic penguins are viewed from the boat. A bilingual guide explains local wildlife, geology, and the SS Monte Cervantes story.

“Were denied boarding at the meeting point indicated on 3 emails from provider and viator. I want full refund.”

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6.Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · 9h 30m · from $449

Spend about nine hours combining a Beagle Channel catamaran cruise with a guided walk among wild Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island. Guides such as Fabricio and Agustina have led the penguin walk, with English and Spanish commentary. The order changes by availability, and Harberton Ranch closes Tuesdays.

“Excellent and highly recommended. This tour is an experience of a lifetime. Our tour guys, Milko, Gerardo and Norbi…(apologies for misspelling) were amazing. Loved our day walking among penguins and learning about them. Thank you”

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7.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Sail from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel on a 5-hour catamaran trip. You’ll see sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and the SS Monte Cervantes wreck before reaching Martillo Island’s Magellanic penguin colony. English and Spanish guides lead the outing, with optional hotel pickup.

“Catamarano stra colmo di gente . As ogni attrattiva da vedere ci si ammassava fuori e se eri dietro non vedevi assolutamente nulla e la gente non si spostava. Siamo arrivati dai pinguini prima di tutte le altre barche e nonostante questo la nostra si é fermata dove c’erano solo una decina di pinguini mentre il “gruppo super grande “ non siamo riusciti a vederlo nemmeno ha fatto un giro per poter mostrare anche a chi non ha visto nulla. In prezzo assurdo si quasi 169€ a persona ! I peggio spesi. Sxonsiglko !!!meglio barca piccola”

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8.Beagle Channel Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 51 reviews · 3 hours · from $107

Board a comfortable catamaran at Ushuaia’s Tourist Port for a three-hour cruise through the Beagle Channel. You’ll pass Bird Island and Sea Lions’ Island, photograph Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, watch seabirds, and hear about the 1930 sinking of the SS Monte Cervantes. English and Spanish assistance is available.

“Hermosa experiencia, la guía exelente, el catamarán muy cómodo y muy buen trato por parte de todo el personal.”

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9.Beagle Channel Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 2h 30m · from $78Best value

Cruise the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia aboard a heated, enclosed catamaran with Spanish and English guiding. See Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, sea lions, cormorants, and possibly penguins or whales. The boat approaches the islands, and weather permitting, you’ll land on Bridges Island for a short walk and views of Ushuaia and the mountains.

“En promotion cette activité vaut le détour. L’observation de la faune local est très agréable et accompagnée d’explications intéressantes du guide à bord”

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10.Sailing Beagle Channel to the Penguin Colony

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · 6 hours · from $205

Spend six hours on the Beagle Channel with a live Spanish or English guide. See sea lions at Los Lobos Island, seabirds at Los Pajaros, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Gable Island, Puerto Williams, and Magellanic penguins at Martillo Island, all from the boat.

“Was für ein wundervoller Nachmittag ( 15 Uhr bis 21 Uhr) auf dem Beagle Channel . Prima Katamaran mit einwandfrei sauberen Toiletten”

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