Argentina · PENGUIN & WILDLIFE TOURS

The 15 Best Penguin & Wildlife Tours in Argentina

32 tours  ·  from $90

Magellanic colonies on two coasts, sea lions on channel islands, and whales that come into the bay to calve. The 15 below are sorted by season and by how close the landing rules let you get, with prices and sailing times.

Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran - Bird Island shows the smaller details of the channel
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Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

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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Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island - Sea Lion Island and Bird Island
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Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

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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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island - Starting at the Ushuaia pier
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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

3.Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · 5 hours · from $178

Set out from Ushuaia on a five-hour bilingual catamaran cruise through the Beagle Channel. You’ll see Bird Island, Sea Lions Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Williams, and Martillo Island, where Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gather. Guide David and the crew share information in English and Spanish, while snacks, drinks, and souvenirs are sold onboard.

“Great trip and a bucket list must do. We had an additional sighting of a Humpback Whale so extra bonus. No issues at all”

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Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo - A warm cabin, a cold deck, and a moving boat
Beagle Channel Cruises, Boat Tours in Ushuaia, Cruises & Boat Tours, Penguin & Wildlife Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Tours, Ushuaia Tours, Wildlife Tours in Ushuaia

Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

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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Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel - The first hour: Ushuaia, mountains, and estancias
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Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

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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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience - The journey from Ushuaia to Harberton Ranch
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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience

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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Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands - Leaving Ushuaia and reading the shoreline
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Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands

7.Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 84 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $158

From Ushuaia’s Tourist Pier, you’ll cruise the Beagle Channel aboard a heated catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating. A bilingual guide points out cormorants, albatrosses, sea lions, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Chilean and Argentine shores, and Magellanic penguins at Martillo Island. The trip lasts about 5.5 hours and returns to the pier.

“Be sure you have arranged transport to the marina as hotel pickup isn't included. It was fantastic to be so close to the cormorants, sea lions and penguins...they put the catamaran right on the sand and the penguins were on the beach and swimming around the boat. We got lucky too and saw a pair of King penguins, not very common there. The estancia was interesting, though I thought it was a working one when I booked that part of the trip, but it's been a tourist destination since the 1990s when a big snow storm killed most of the areas sheep and that estancia decided to go all tourist.…”

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Puerto Madryn: Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions - From Madryn Buceo to Paraná Beach
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Puerto Madryn: Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions

8.Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 81 reviews · 2h 30m · from $150

From Puerto Madryn, ride to Paraná Beach and Punta Loma Nature Reserve, where you may spot penguins, dolphins, and whales before snorkeling with wild sea lions for about 40 minutes. Madryn Buceo supplies the suit and equipment, with guides in Spanish, English, and Italian. Hotel pickup is optional.

“Enjoyed it a lot, check in and suiting up was made easy and clear. Staff on the boat were fun but professional. Of course absolutely amazing to snorkel so close the sea lions, they came right up to us”

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Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option - The long ride to Harberton Ranch
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Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option

9.Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $291

Travel from Ushuaia to Harberton Ranch and Martillo Island for a guided walk near wild Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. Guides such as Pablo, Julie, and Paulo have led engaging bilingual tours, while the boat ride adds fine Beagle Channel views. Expect a long day, extra cash costs, cool wind, and roughly one hour with the penguins.

“The tour itself was wonderful. The logistics of booking was a bit concerning. Viator booked through a 2nd agency that booked through a 3rd agency. When we arrived at the hotel, they didnt know where to send us and when we arrived for checkin, we had no idea which agency to speak to. Then once arriving at 630am, we were told we could not checkin until 730am (with our kids waiting!), even though I had called to confirm the night before. My advice, book the tour with a local agency and NOT through viator!”

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Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn - The drive from Puerto Madryn
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Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn

10.Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $120Top rated

Ride from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, then walk a 1.5-kilometer trail among Magellanic penguins, guanacos, rheas, and other wildlife. Guides such as Mariana, Roy, Pitu, and Marcela add local insight. Allow for a long drive, uneven paths, and an entrance fee of about $20.

“Many beautiful penguins in their natural environment. Also, a brief history lesson of the local area.”

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Navigation to Beagle Channel and Sea Lions Island with Transfers - Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse and the Monte Cervantes wreck
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Navigation to Beagle Channel and Sea Lions Island with Transfers

11.Navigation to Beagle Channel and Sea Lions Island with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 63 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $118

You’ll ride a catamaran from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, passing museums, mountains, ranches, Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, Sea Lions Island, and Bird Island. A bilingual guide provides commentary, while hotel transfers simplify the outing. Bring binoculars, warm layers, and food or drinks. The cruise does not include penguins.

“DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS VIATOR OPERATOR!!!! They confirmed the day prior to meet at the meeting point at 9:30. We get to the meeting point to find out that the boat had already departed. We would have had to arrive at least 30 minutes prior. The worst part? I wrote this operator TWICE and the company actually running the boat also contacted them, but I never heard a peep from them. No apology even. Nothing. No response whatsoever. Basically, because they gave us faulty information that we followed to the letter we missed the tour. The local company operating the boat was kind enough to put us on another…”

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From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran - Sea lions and cormorants before the penguins
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From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

12.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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Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn - Arriving at the penguin colony
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Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn

13.Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $125

Ride from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English and Spanish-speaking guide. Walk among Magellanic penguins, watch guanacos and Patagonian hares, and enjoy a boxed lunch. The trip lasts about seven hours, with optional dinosaur and city stops if your cruise schedule allows.

“Super fun day! The van was nice and air conditioned, we got there before everyone else and spent time on the path without a lot of people around. Maria was awesome and told us about the area on the long drives. There were so many penguins!!”

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Beagle Channel Navigation - Sea Lions Island - Isla de los Lobos and the difference between sea lion species
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Beagle Channel Navigation – Sea Lions Island

14.Beagle Channel Navigation – Sea Lions Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Set out from Ushuaia on a catamaran with a professional guide, watching sea lions, royal and imperial cormorants, seabirds, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. The 2.5-hour trip also includes a walk on Bridges Island, where you learn about local plants, birds, and the Yamana people. Transport to the port depends on your booking option.

“Nice viewing. Liked that we were able to get off and walk around the paths on the island. Saw much wildlife.”

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Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience - Trelew Gives the Drive a Short Break
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Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience

15.Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 10 hours · from $120

Travel from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo for a guided 3-kilometer walk among Magellanic penguins during breeding season. English and Spanish guides such as Max and Mariana explain the animals and their behavior. Transport, hotel pickup, and air conditioning are included, while park entry, lunch, and optional extras cost extra.

“Very good tour. Loved walking with Penguins though could have used a little more time at Punto Tumbo. The guide was very good She shared a lot of interesting information.”

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New in Penguin & Wildlife Tours

★ 4.6Sailing Beagle Channel to the Penguin ColonyFrom $20514 reviews
★ 3.3USHUAIA | Navigation: Sea Lions, Birds and LighthouseFrom $1084 reviews
★ 4.6Beagle Channel Penguin Colony TourFrom $15017 reviews
★ 4.7Snorkeling with Sea LionsFrom $1537 reviews
★ 5.0Punta Tombo Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers + CityFrom $1054 reviews
★ 4.6Punta Tombo Cruise Shore Excursion – Walk among penguinsFrom $12024 reviews
★ 4.1Punta Tombo Penguin Tour & Optional Tonina WatchingFrom $3008 reviews
★ 4.3PUERTO MADRYN , SNORKELING WITH SEA LIONSFrom $1457 reviews
★ 4.6Punta Tombo Shore Excursion for Cruise GuestsFrom $9025 reviews
★ 3.9Full Day Excursion to Punta TomboFrom $11220 reviews
★ 4.5Monte León 4×4 Wolves and Penguins ExcursionFrom $25012 reviews

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