THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
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.
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.
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.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Info de Ushuaia · Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
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.
This stretch of water was carved by ice; its islands remember Yámana canoeists who first threaded these passages. Along the way the captain points out the SS Monte Cervantes wreck story at the lighthouse and the bridges archipelago where sea lions haul out. Geology here reads as exposed bedrock and glacially scoured coves; culture arrives in weathered fishing cabins and Tehuelche and Fuegian history recounted in port towns.
Expect close wildlife encounters: the cruise stops at Isla Martillo, where Magellanic and Gentoo penguins waddle just meters from the landing. Birds — cormorants, albatrosses, kelp gulls — ride thermals and roost on exposed ledges. The modern Canoero catamarans (2018–2019 models) offer stability, indoor seating and onboard restrooms for the 5–6 hour round trip.
Practical tips: layer for wind and spray, bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, and take seasickness prevention if you’re sensitive to swell. Respect wildlife distance rules and follow crew instructions during the beach stop (about 40 minutes). Morning crossings tend to be calmer and clearer for photos; the port fee is typically included. This is a low-effort, high-reward marine wildlife outing that places you at the edge of Patagonia’s southern sea.
easy.
5–6 hours.
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.
The boat lands directly on Isla Martillo’s beach and you can observe penguins from designated areas usually within 4–10 meters, with crew enforcing distance to prevent disturbance.
Yes — the Canoero catamarans used on this route have onboard restrooms and indoor seating if you need to escape wind and spray.
Yes; the tour is rated physically easy and is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs for boarding with assistance, though sea conditions may make transfers trickier on windy days.
Operators typically cancel for unsafe conditions; the policy generally allows full refunds if canceled at least 24 hours before departure or if the operator cancels due to weather.
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.
Isla Martillo is protected and visits are regulated to minimize disturbance; follow guidelines to avoid trampling nests and to reduce marine litter.
Info de Ushuaia operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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.
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.
This stretch of water was carved by ice; its islands remember Yámana canoeists who first threaded these passages. Along the way the captain points out the SS Monte Cervantes wreck story at the lighthouse and the bridges archipelago where sea lions haul out. Geology here reads as exposed bedrock and glacially scoured coves; culture arrives in weathered fishing cabins and Tehuelche and Fuegian history recounted in port towns.
Expect close wildlife encounters: the cruise stops at Isla Martillo, where Magellanic and Gentoo penguins waddle just meters from the landing. Birds — cormorants, albatrosses, kelp gulls — ride thermals and roost on exposed ledges. The modern Canoero catamarans (2018–2019 models) offer stability, indoor seating and onboard restrooms for the 5–6 hour round trip.
Practical tips: layer for wind and spray, bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, and take seasickness prevention if you’re sensitive to swell. Respect wildlife distance rules and follow crew instructions during the beach stop (about 40 minutes). Morning crossings tend to be calmer and clearer for photos; the port fee is typically included. This is a low-effort, high-reward marine wildlife outing that places you at the edge of Patagonia’s southern sea.