Cruise the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia aboard a modern catamaran, visit Les Éclaireurs lighthouse and step onto Isla Martillo to see thousands of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins up close. This 5–6 hour excursion combines maritime history, glacial geology and dependable wildlife viewing.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step onto a low-slung catamaran in Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel opens like a cold, moving sky — the water pressing forward, the wind pushing at your jacket. The boat slips past black rocks and auk-filled skerries, the Les Éclaireurs lighthouse coming into view like a small, persistent guardian standing against the currents.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; you should be able to board a small gangway and walk on a flat sandy/rocky beach for ~40 minutes.
Wildlife
History
The Beagle Channel carries the legacy of Yámana canoeists and later European maritime traffic; Les Éclaireurs lighthouse and tales of the SS Monte Cervantes shipwreck are local touchstones.
Conservation
Isla Martillo is protected and visits are regulated to minimize disturbance; follow guidelines to avoid trampling nests and to reduce marine litter.
Reserve your spot on the Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in windproof layers
Winds off the channel are brisk year-round; an outer shell and fleece midlayer keep you comfortable on deck.
Bring seasickness remedies
Even on calm days the swell can surprise; take medication or use acupressure bands before boarding if prone to motion sickness.
Protect your optics
Use a camera strap and a lens hood — spray and wind are constant near the bow and on the beach stop.
Keep distance and stay quiet on the beach
Follow crew instructions to avoid stressing nesting penguins; observe from the designated zones during the 40-minute stop.
Windproof waterproof jacket
Stops spray and wind chill while you're exposed on deck and during the beach landing.
Insulating midlayer (fleece or down)
Provides warmth between sheltered indoor areas and exposed deck.
Waterproof, grippy shoes
Useful for boarding wet decks and walking on the beach without slipping.
Binoculars
Helps scan islands and seabird colonies without disturbing wildlife.