Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

Martillo Island is the prize here: from the boat, you can watch Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gathered along the shore during the summer season. The route also brings you close to sea lions, cormorants, wreck sites, Chilean territory, and the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.

I like the comfortable catamaran, with indoor seating, outdoor decks, bathrooms, and a café. I also like the captain’s approach when wildlife appears. The boat may slow, turn, and wait so people on both sides get a fair look. The drawback is the long sailing time, nearly five and a half hours, with no food or drinks included.

Key points to know before you book

• Penguins are viewed from the boat: You do not get off at Martillo Island, so your seat and your willingness to move around the decks matter.
• The boat gets close to wildlife: Sea lions, cormorants, and penguins can be seen at useful photo distance, though nature sets the schedule.
• The full route takes 330 minutes: The long return trip is part of the deal, not dead time to be ignored.
• Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is one stop among many: You also see Ushuaia, Mount Olivia, Mount Cinco Hermanos, Gable Island, and Port Williams.
• Warm clothing is essential: Even on a sunny day, the open decks and cold air across the Beagle Channel can bite.
• The $92 price is fair for a long wildlife cruise: It becomes less attractive if you want a short outing or a landing on Penguin Island.

Sailing out of Ushuaia at 3 p.m.

The tour begins at the tourist pier in Ushuaia, at the blue Tolkeyen Patagonia office. Departure is scheduled for 3 p.m., and you need to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.

The first part of the trip gives you a useful orientation to Ushuaia from the water. As the catamaran pulls away, you see the city and shoreline spread beneath the surrounding mountains. The route passes views of the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, Mount Olivia, and Mount Cinco Hermanos.

I like this opening because it puts the town into context. From a street, Ushuaia can feel tucked into the edge of the world. From the channel, you see how tightly the city fits between the water and the mountains. Keep a jacket nearby even if the afternoon begins mild. The outside decks are the best place for views, but wind and cold can arrive quickly.

The vessel type can vary according to the company’s operations. The available boats have been described as clean, modern, spacious, and comfortable, with seating upstairs and downstairs, outside viewing areas, bathrooms, and a café. Food and drinks are not part of the tour price, so bring money for the café if you want a hot drink or snack.

Sea Lion Island and Bird Island

The catamaran heads southwest toward Sea Lion Island. This is one of the first wildlife stops, and you can watch sea lions interacting on the rocks and around the island.

The captain may adjust the boat’s position so people can see from different sides. That matters on a wildlife trip. You are not looking at a fixed monument with one perfect viewing point. Animals move, the boat moves, and visibility changes with the light and waves.

Next comes Bird Island, home to Magellanic Cormorants and Imperial Cormorants. From a distance, cormorants can look a little like penguins, especially when they gather in groups near the water. They are different birds, though, and the guides explain the distinction during the ride.

The islands also support other marine animals. Exact sightings cannot be promised, but the route gives you several chances to watch wildlife in its own setting instead of in a zoo or enclosed display. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise.

The guides speak English and Spanish. The amount you hear may depend on where you sit and how well the onboard speakers work. One practical tip is to move near a working speaker when announcements begin. Some passengers have found the commentary difficult to hear from parts of the lower deck.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and stories from the channel

The boat then approaches Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the small red-and-white lighthouse often linked with Ushuaia’s End of the World image. It sits in the Les Eclaireurs archipelago, not on the mainland.

This is a fine photo stop, but do not expect a visit ashore. The lighthouse is viewed from the catamaran, along with the surrounding water and mountains. The captain may hold the boat in position long enough for photos, though weather and navigation conditions control the timing.

The route also brings maritime stories into the trip. The Mount Cervantes wrecked in 1930 in the archipelago near the lighthouse. Later, along the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, you see Estancia Remolino, associated with the Mount Sarmiento, which ran aground there.

These details give the ride more purpose. You are not simply ticking off a lighthouse and a few animals. The Beagle Channel has long been a working waterway, and the wreck stories help explain why sailing here requires care. If you enjoy place names and local history, pay attention to the guide’s commentary. If the speakers are hard to hear, the views still carry the trip, but you will miss useful context.

Crossing toward Gable Island and Chile

The catamaran crosses the Beagle Channel from north to south and passes Gable Island. You also get a view toward the Port Williams Navy Base on Navarino Island, which belongs to Chile.

This is a good reminder that the Beagle Channel is not just Ushuaia’s waterfront. The cruise moves through an international border region, with Argentine and Chilean shores visible along the way. You remain aboard, but the route gives you a sense of the channel’s scale and geography.

The crossing can be calm or rough. One past experience described a very bumpy ride on the way back, while other trips were smooth and pleasant. If you suffer from seasickness, sit where you can see outside, keep your medication plan in mind, and avoid treating the trip as a guaranteed calm-water cruise.

The vessel has indoor and outdoor areas, so you can change positions as conditions shift. The upper deck is often the better choice for clear views, but it is also the coldest spot. The lower deck offers shelter and warmth, though sightlines can be less open.

Martillo Island and the summer penguin colony

Martillo Island is the main reason most people book this outing. During the summer, Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins, also called Papua penguins, nest along the coast.

The catamaran travels along the island’s shoreline rather than landing. This point matters. If you want to walk among penguins, this is not that kind of tour. You watch from the boat, usually with the catamaran moving close enough for clear views and photographs.

The boat may slow or stop near the colony. On good days, you can see penguins standing on the shore, moving between the water and their nesting areas, or gathered in groups. A previous outing also had close views of a humpback whale and dolphins, but those are lucky sightings, not part of the promised route.

Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole stop staring at a screen. The penguins are the highlight, yet the wider setting matters too: cold water, low islands, distant mountains, and a working boat holding position in the channel.

There is a practical crowd issue. The best viewing spots can fill quickly, especially near the front of the boat. Some people may stay in one place for much of the stop, making it harder for others to get a clear photo. I would go outside before the boat reaches the colony and be ready to shift sides when the crew asks. A respectful, rotating approach would make the stop better for everyone.

The upper deck can offer better visibility, but you should not assume that one level will be perfect for the entire trip. Conditions, boat design, and other passengers affect the view. Wear warm layers and bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Sun glare off the water can be strong even when the air feels cold.

The long return past Estancia Tunnel and Fique

After Martillo Island, the boat begins the return to Ushuaia. The route passes Estancia Tunnel and Fique before reaching the tourist pier.

This is where the 330-minute duration matters. The penguin stop may last only a limited time, while most of the experience is spent sailing. You get a full channel outing, not a quick transfer to one wildlife site. Some people will enjoy the quiet return, changing seats, watching the mountains, and checking the photos. Others may find the final hours repetitive.

The captain may slow down for unexpected wildlife. Humpback whales and dolphins have been seen on some departures, and the boat has paused to give people a better view. That flexibility is a real plus, but you should not book this trip expecting whale watching.

I would treat the return as part of the scenery rather than a separate attraction. Find a warm indoor seat when the wind becomes tiring, then step outside again when a new shoreline or animal appears. The cafés onboard can help, but remember that refreshments cost extra.

Is the $92 price good value?

At $92 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to reach the Martillo Island area by boat, based on the available tour options described by passengers. The price covers the ferry-style catamaran ride and guide, but not port transfers, food, or drinks.

The value is strongest if you want several sights in one outing: wildlife islands, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, maritime stories, mountain views, Chilean territory, and the penguin colony. A comfortable vessel also matters during a trip that lasts more than five hours.

The value is weaker if your only goal is spending time near penguins. You are paying for the entire Beagle Channel route, and the penguin viewing itself is limited to a boat stop. The long sailing time can feel expensive if you prefer short, tightly focused activities.

Some passengers have also found the price high once food is excluded. Others felt the comfortable boat, close wildlife views, and well-managed stops made it worthwhile. I think the price is reasonable for a full afternoon on the channel, provided you understand that this is a scenic sailing trip with wildlife, not a short penguin excursion.

Practical advice for a better outing

Arrive at the blue Tolkeyen Patagonia office at least 30 minutes before the 3 p.m. departure. The meeting point is at the tourist pier, and you are responsible for getting there yourself.

Wear outdoor clothing in layers. Comfortable shoes, warm clothes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are all sensible. The wind can make the open decks cold, while the sun can still be strong.

Bring a camera with a secure strap if you have one. You will be moving between indoor and outdoor areas, and the best view may appear on either side of the boat. Do not rely only on the front deck. If it is crowded, a side position may give you a cleaner view of the animals.

Food and drinks are not included. A café is available onboard, but the supplied information does not specify its full menu. If you need a particular snack or drink, arrange it before departure.

Pets and drones are not allowed. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, and live guiding is available in English and Spanish.

Bad weather can cancel the sailing, as can closure of the port. The company may try to reschedule. If that is not possible, the amount paid is refunded. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the Beagle Channel and prefer a comfortable boat to a small, rough vessel. It suits photographers, first-time visitors to Ushuaia, families who want wildlife without a long land hike, and anyone curious about the channel’s geography and maritime past.

I would think twice if you get seasick, dislike long boat rides, or need a guaranteed landing at the penguin colony. The trip can also disappoint if you expect constant commentary, since the sound system may not be equally clear everywhere onboard.

Should you book the Penguin Island sailing?

Book it if you want the full Ushuaia water experience: sea lions, cormorants, a lighthouse, mountain views, wreck stories, a glimpse of Chile, and penguins at Martillo Island. The close boat positioning, indoor comforts, and chance encounters with whales or dolphins make the long route worthwhile on a good-weather day.

Skip it if your priority is walking among penguins or spending most of the day ashore. For everyone else, $92 buys a substantial afternoon on the Beagle Channel, with enough wildlife and scenery to make the long return feel like part of the adventure rather than simply the trip home.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours.

What time does the tour depart?

Departure is scheduled for 3 p.m. You should arrive 30 minutes earlier at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the blue Tolkeyen Patagonia office located at Ushuaia’s tourist pier.

Can I get off the boat at Martillo Island?

The provided tour information describes viewing the penguin colony from the catamaran. It does not include a landing on Martillo Island.

Which penguin species can I see?

You can see Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins, also called Papua penguins, during the summer nesting season.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although the boat has a café where refreshments may be available for purchase.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and suitable outdoor clothing.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The sailing may be canceled because of bad weather or port closure. The company will try to reschedule it, or provide a full refund if rescheduling is not possible.