Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

The main prize here is Martillo Island, where Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gather during the Southern Hemisphere summer. You stay aboard the catamaran, but the boat gets close enough for good views and photographs.

I like the generous route through the Beagle Channel and the chance to see several kinds of wildlife in one outing. I also like the clean, roomy boat, its café and bathrooms, and the careful stops that give you time to watch sea lions and penguins.

The catch is the length. At about 330 minutes, this is a long ride with no shore stop at the penguin island, and the return crossing can feel slow or rough if the weather turns.

At a glance

• Penguins from the water: See Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island during their summer nesting season.
• A full Beagle Channel route: Pass Ushuaia, Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Gable Island, and views toward Chile.
• Wildlife beyond penguins: Watch sea lions, Magellanic Cormorants, Imperial Cormorants, and possibly whales or dolphins.
• Comfortable catamaran: Expect indoor seating, outdoor viewing decks, bathrooms, and a café for drinks and snacks.
• About $92 per person: A fair choice if you want several sights in one boat trip, though the price may feel high for a ride with no food included.
• Boat-only penguin viewing: You do not walk on Martillo Island, so choose this for close viewing from the water, not for a shore visit.

Leaving Ushuaia for the Beagle Channel

You meet at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier, a blue house, at least 30 minutes before the 3 p.m. departure. There is no transfer from your hotel, so you need to make your own way to the port.

The first part of the trip gives you a useful introduction to Ushuaia from the water. As the catamaran pulls away, you can look back toward the city, the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, and the industrial area. Mount Olivia and Mount Cinco Hermanos form the mountain backdrop.

This opening section is more than a slow warm-up. From the boat, Ushuaia makes sense as a compact port town pressed between mountains and the channel. You also get time to find the best viewing position before the wildlife stops begin.

The vessel type depends on the operator’s daily arrangements, so the exact layout may vary. The boats used for this outing have been described as clean, modern, spacious, and comfortable, with seating on more than one level and outside decks.

Sea Lion Island and Bird Island

As you sail southwest, the catamaran approaches Sea Lion Island. The boat stops or slows so you can watch the animals interacting on the rocks. The captain may adjust the position to give people on different sides a view, though your sightline will depend on where you are sitting.

Next comes Bird Island, home to Magellanic Cormorants and Imperial Cormorants. From a distance, cormorants can fool you into thinking you are looking at more penguins. Their dark bodies and upright posture make the mistake easy, but these are flying seabirds, not penguins.

This stop adds variety to the outing. You are not simply riding for hours to one colony. You get sea lions, seabirds, mountains, open water, and changing views along the way. The guides provide information in English and Spanish, including details about the places and animals along the route.

Audio quality can be uneven. One account noted that the microphone was difficult to hear from downstairs, with only one speaker working well. If the commentary matters to you, try to sit where you can hear clearly, or spend part of the trip outside near the guide when conditions allow.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and shipwreck stories

The catamaran then heads toward Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the small red-and-white lighthouse often associated with Ushuaia and the End of the World. It sits in the Les Eclaireurs archipelago, surrounded by open channel and rocky islands.

The lighthouse is photogenic, but the real appeal is the setting. It gives you a classic Beagle Channel view, with cold water, low islands, and mountains fading into the distance. The boat normally allows time for photographs rather than simply passing at speed.

The area also carries a reminder of the channel’s hazards. The Mount Cervantes wrecked here in 1930, and later in the route you pass Estancia Remolino, where the Mount Sarmiento ran aground. These details give the sailing route some human context without turning the trip into a museum lecture.

Bring a lens or phone that works well at a distance. You are photographing from the boat, not walking around the lighthouse, and the best angle can disappear quickly if people gather at the rail.

Along Tierra del Fuego toward Martillo Island

After the lighthouse, the route follows the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. You pass Estancia Remolino and continue toward Gable Island. The boat then crosses the Beagle Channel from north to south, with views toward Puerto Williams and its Chilean Navy base on Navarino Island.

This is one of the best parts for people who enjoy the geography of a place. You are not just visiting a named attraction. You are seeing the channel as an international waterway, with Argentina on one side and Chile visible across the water.

It is also the part that tests your patience. The itinerary covers a large area, and the journey to Martillo Island takes time. Some departures may run close to six hours overall, depending on the vessel, sea conditions, wildlife sightings, and the captain’s decisions.

Dress for the whole ride, not just the sunny moments in Ushuaia. Wear warm outdoor clothing, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. The upper deck can give you the best views, but wind and cold are stronger there. The lower deck offers shelter, though one account found it colder than the top floor, so conditions can vary.

Martillo Island and the penguin colony

The highlight arrives when the boat reaches Martillo Island, also called Penguin Island. The catamaran follows the coastline at a respectful distance while you watch the summer colony from the water.

You can expect to see Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins, also known as Papua penguins. Their presence depends on the season and natural conditions. This is a nesting site during the Southern Hemisphere summer, so timing matters if penguins are your main reason for booking.

The boat can get close enough for strong photographs, but you do not go ashore. That distinction matters. If you want to walk among penguins, this is not the right product. If you prefer a boat trip that lets you see them without a long land excursion, it is a practical option.

The crew generally gives you time to look and photograph before moving on. Still, the front of the boat can become crowded. A small group may hold the best rail positions for much of the stop, making it hard for everyone else to get an unobstructed view. Arrive at the viewing area early, move between sides when possible, and do not assume the front rail will remain available.

The captain may also change the order or length of stops. Wildlife moves, islands have restricted areas, and weather can shift quickly. A flexible plan is part of this kind of outing. On some departures, whales or dolphins may appear and the captain may slow down to watch them, but you should treat that as a lucky extra, not a promise.

The long ride back to Ushuaia

After Martillo Island, the catamaran heads back toward the port, passing views of Estancia Tunnel and Estancia Fique. The return gives you another look at the channel from a different angle, but it is also where the trip can feel repetitive.

I recommend treating the return as part of the scenery rather than expecting another major stop. Take photographs early, have a warm drink at the café, and use the indoor seating if the water becomes rough. The boat has bathrooms, which makes the long duration easier, and the café is useful because food and drinks are not included in the ticket.

Sea conditions matter. One account described a very bumpy return, while other departures were smooth and comfortable. The boat and captain can reduce discomfort, but they cannot control the channel. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the center of the vessel, look toward the horizon, and bring whatever personal remedy you normally use.

The captain may stop for unexpected wildlife. A humpback whale or a pod of dolphins can turn a routine return into the most memorable part of the day. But wildlife watching is never guaranteed, and any stop can affect the timing.

Boat comfort, viewing, and photography

The catamaran is a strong part of the experience. You get indoor seating, outside decks, bathrooms, and a café. That combination matters on a five-and-a-half-hour outing, especially when cold wind makes a long time outside unpleasant.

For the best experience, move around rather than defending one seat. The port and starboard sides offer different angles as the boat turns, and the upper deck may provide a wider view. On the other hand, the top deck is exposed, so keep your warm clothing close.

Photography takes a little planning. Wildlife is close enough for many good shots, but you are still on a moving boat. Keep your phone or camera ready before each stop, and avoid waiting until the captain is already turning away.

There may also be photographers working onboard who offer paid pictures. That can create congestion near the bow, which is often the most useful place for penguin photographs. If you want a clear view, get into position early and be prepared to change sides.

Is $92 a fair price?

At $92 per person, this is not a cheap short cruise. You are paying for a long route, the catamaran, bilingual guiding, wildlife viewing, and the chance to see Martillo Island, the lighthouse, sea lions, and cormorants in one outing.

The value improves if you want a broad Beagle Channel experience and do not want to arrange several separate excursions. It is also a sensible choice if penguins are a priority but you are satisfied with viewing them from the water.

The value is weaker if you expect a shore visit, included meals, or a tightly packed sequence of activities. Food and drinks cost extra, and the return can be a long stretch after the penguin stop. The experience is best judged as a full water excursion, not as a quick penguin transfer.

The flexible booking terms help with uncertain Patagonian weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. If the port closes or bad weather cancels the sailing, the operator will try to reschedule or issue a full refund if rescheduling is not possible.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this trip if you want a comfortable way to see several Beagle Channel sights in one day. It suits photographers, wildlife fans, first-time visitors to Ushuaia, and anyone who likes scenic boat routes with commentary.

It is also a good fit for families or mixed groups because you can move between indoor and outdoor spaces. The activity is wheelchair accessible, though the exact vessel may vary, so it is wise to confirm any vessel-specific needs before departure.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat rides, need guaranteed calm water, or want to walk on Martillo Island. The penguins are the main attraction, but they form only one part of a long route.

Final call: book it for the full channel experience

Book this tour if you want penguins, sea lions, birds, lighthouse views, and mountain scenery in one outing, and you accept that the boat may spend nearly six hours on the water. The clean catamaran, café, bathrooms, bilingual guide, and careful wildlife stops make the day easier than a bare-bones ferry ride.

Skip it if your only goal is standing on an island among penguins. For everyone else, this is a solid Ushuaia choice, especially when you pack warm layers, claim a good viewing spot early, and treat whales or dolphins as welcome surprises rather than promised stops.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. Some departures may take close to six hours because of vessel operations, weather, navigation, or wildlife sightings.

Where does the tour depart?

It leaves from the tourist pier in Ushuaia. You must check in 30 minutes before the 3 p.m. departure at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office, located in the blue house at the pier.

Do I get off the boat at Martillo Island?

No. The catamaran follows the coastline and you view the Magellanic and Gentoo penguin colony from the water.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a café is available onboard for refreshments.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What happens if bad weather cancels the sailing?

The navigation may be canceled because of bad weather or a port closure. The operator will try to reschedule the activity, or provide a full refund if rescheduling is not possible. You may also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.