Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands
- 5h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
The cruise departs from Ushuaia’s Tourist Pier, offering panoramic views of the coast, including landmarks like the Maritime Museum and Mount Olivia. Sailing southwest, we approach Los Lobos Island to observe sea lions, then continue to Los Pájaros Island, home to Magellanic and Imperial cormorants. We sail on to the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and see remains of the Monte Cervantes shipwreck. Crossing the Beagle Channel, we view Gable Island and Puerto Williams before reaching Martillo Island, where we observe curious Magellanic penguins swimming and nesting. After this unforgettable encounter, we return to Ushuaia, passing Estancias Túnel and Fique.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bilingual guide in Spanish and English
- Port fee
- Catamaran with heating and bathrooms
What's not
- Food, beverages and other services not especified
- Transfer from the hotel to the pier and vice versa
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.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.0
- 539
- 424
- 313
- 25
- 14
Ratings come from 85 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
4Easy 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.
5A very pleasant...
A very pleasant experience. We also enjoyed talking to the couple that shared the table with us. It was beautiful.
1Cruise 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.
3Average
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.
5Awesome tour
Great experience, boat starts from a very convenient location opposite hotel albatross. On Tim departure, great staff and good drinks on the boat. They get within 3 meters of the penguins
4The boat circled POI well...
The boat circled POI well and theOA kept us up to date, not always clear out on deck. The photographers were discreet but handy.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Please go to the Tolkeyen Office at the tourist pier. Address: Av. Prefectura Naval s/n. Directions: Once you get to the port, please head to the Tolkeyen stand. You must present your ID.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 100 travellers
- Operated by
- Gray Line Argentina
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is accessible for people with reduced mobility, as the points visited have access ramps and wheelchair storage. We also have adapted restrooms, and we have trained staff to provide advice and assistance to people with reduced mobility.
- All descriptions and itineraries are illustrative only: activity times, order of activities, and attractions visited may vary depending on the captain's assessment and weather conditions.
- The descent to Karelo Island is subject to weather conditions and the captain's assessment.
How it compares in Ushuaia
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 66 day trips we list in Ushuaia.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 6 of 66.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Ushuaia
Ushuaia, on the Beagle Channel in Tierra del Fuego, is often called the southernmost city in the world, a port ringed by snowy peaks.
Ushuaia sits on a narrow shelf between the Beagle Channel and the Martial mountains, in the Argentine half of Tierra del Fuego. It began as a mission and later became a penal colony, and the old prison, now a museum, tells that story alongside the maritime history of the far south. Painted houses climb the slope, and the harbour is where expedition ships leave for Antarctica.
Top-ranked sights in Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego National Park, Lapataia Bay, Beagle Channel.
Special offers in Ushuaia
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
20% offFree cancellation
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