Beagle Channel Sailing Tour: Islands & Penguins
About this activity
Highlights
- Cruise through Beagle Channel's scenic waters
- Spot sea lions basking on Seal Island
- Observe diverse bird species on Bird Island
- Witness penguins in their natural habitat on Penguin Island
- Enjoy panoramic views of Ushuaia's mountainous backdrop
Full description
Included / Excluded
- 5.5-hour guided boat tour
- Visit to Seal Island, Bird Island, and Penguin Island
- Snacks and beverages on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
We begin the cruise departing from the city's Tourist Pier, heading for the center of the Beagle Channel. As we sail away, we enjoy the panoramic view of the Ushuaia coast, seeing the most important buildings, the Maritime Museum (former prison), the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, and Mount Olivia and Mount Cinco Hermanos.
We sail southwest, approaching Los Lobos Island, where, from the boat, we can enjoy the sight of sea lions, observing their permanent habitat in a wonderful setting.
Continuing our cruise, we will head toward Los Pájaros Island, home to Magellanic Cormorants and Imperial Cormorants, and a prime spot for spotting marine birds.
We continue sailing toward Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, in the archipelago of the same name. On these islets, it's possible to see parts of the Monte Cervantes, a ship that sank in 1930.
Crossing the Beagle Channel north to south, we'll see Gable Island and the Puerto Williams Naval Base (located on Navarino Island, Chile).
Upon reaching Martillo Island, we approach the beach and stay there. It's amazing to watch the colony of Magellanic penguins, which nest there during the summer, approach the boat with remarkable curiosity. You can see them swim under the catamaran and then emerge again. A celebration that invites us to take countless photographs. An unforgettable moment for the entire family that will remain a memorable experience. From here, we sail back to the Tourist Pier, seeing Estancias Túnel and Fique along the way.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in Spanish; English-speaking guides may be limited
- Children under 3 years old can join for free if seated on a parent's lap
- Tour may be subject to weather conditions; check the forecast before booking
Know before you go
- Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning wildlife and landscapes
- Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear suitable for boat excursions
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Infants Required On Laps
Traveler reviews
Easy boat trip to see the penguins
This tour slows down and stops to take photos of the birds and lighthouse before arriving at the penguins. Guide narration in English and Spanish which tells all about the Beagle channel. Bar in board for snacks and coffee. The travel time is about 3 hours out and back but lovely scenery to enjoy. Plenty of time to take photos of sea lions and penguins as long as you are happy to squeeze yourself inbetween the selfie takers.
Depending on what you are looking for, it is recommended
There is a lack of information prior to the trip. Despite the voucher stating that you will be contacted the day before, this will not happen. So it's just a matter of finding out for yourself at the start. The boat trip through the Beagle canal is beautiful where you spot all kinds of animals along the way. However, the stop at the penguins is chaotic, it could be a little better coordinated so that everyone at the front of the boat has time to look and take pictures. Overall the boat trip is long and if you have already seen penguins elsewhere (e.g. Punta Arenas or Antarctica), certainly no added value!
A very pleasant...
A very pleasant experience. We also enjoyed talking to the couple that shared the table with us. It was beautiful.
Cruise ship passengers beware
When we arrived at the gray line office, we were told we should not take the tour as it would not get us back to the ship on time. Very disappointed, we took instead a shorter tour of the bagel channel and did not see any penguins. This was a much cheaper excursion and we are entitled to a refund.
Average
I encountered a very rude staff member at the reception of Tolkeyen. She had a lot of attitude when I tried to show my email booking confirmation and refused to look at it or accept my booking reference number. Instead, she insisted on an “actual voucher,” which is not provided when booking through TripAdvisor. Only after comments from other staff members did she finally check the system and find my name. Very poor effort and unprofessional behavior from the worker. The rest of the trip was fairly average. There were far too many people crowding and jostling for position when trying to take photos, which took away from the experience. Overall, it felt overpriced, and there are probably better options available.