THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board a catamaran at Ushuaia and cross the Beagle Channel to see sea lions, cormorants and a curious colony of Magellanic penguins at Martillo Island. This 6‑hour wildlife cruise stops for photography, lighthouse views and historical shipwreck sites.
Board a catamaran at Ushuaia and cross the Beagle Channel to see sea lions, cormorants and a curious colony of Magellanic penguins at Martillo Island. This 6‑hour wildlife cruise stops for photography, lighthouse views and historical shipwreck sites.
The catamaran slips away from Ushuaia's tourist pier and the coastal buildings of the town narrow into a strip of harbor, the Beagle Channel opening like a cool mouth to the south.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by CALAIO VIAJES Y TURISMO · Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
The catamaran slips away from Ushuaia's tourist pier and the coastal buildings of the town narrow into a strip of harbor, the Beagle Channel opening like a cool mouth to the south.
Passengers feel the channel push and sigh around the hull as the guide points out the Maritime Museum (once the prison) and the low slopes of Olivia and Cinco Hermanos. The boat heads southwest toward Los Lobos and the island of birds, where sea lions haul out on rock ledges and Magellanic and Imperial cormorants hawk the air with nervous precision.
Geology here is blunt and recent: glacially polished headlands, scattered islets of igneous outcrop and sand-filled bays carved during the last ice age. Human history is compact — the naval and missionary posts, the remains of shipwrecks like Monte Cervantes, and the seasonal ranches of Tierra del Fuego speak of hard maritime livelihoods.
At Martillo Island the real surprise arrives: colonies of curious Magellanic penguins skirt the boat, diving and resurfacing beneath the catamaran as if inspecting visitors. The Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse stands small and stubborn on its islet, the channel currents circling it with steady insistence.
Practical guidance: expect 6 hours total; dress in windproof layers, bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom. Motion-sensitive travelers should pre-dose for seasickness. Boarding occurs at the pier; arrive at least 60 minutes early to check in. Restrooms are available onboard and the operator provides bilingual guiding. Summer (December–March) is peak wildlife viewing; shoulder seasons offer quieter seas but cooler winds.
easy.
6 hours.
Minimal fitness required; ability to board a small boat and stand for short periods recommended
The tour lasts about six hours and departs from the tourist pier in Ushuaia—arrive at the operator's office one hour before departure to check in.
Penguins are typically present at Martillo Island during the austral summer breeding season (roughly December–March); sightings depend on season and weather.
Yes—this activity is rated easy and suitable for most fitness levels, but it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious heart conditions.
If the ship is canceled due to bad weather, the operator refunds 100% of the deposit; check the cancellation window for full refund rules.
The Beagle Channel has long been a navigational corridor for indigenous Yahgan people, missionaries and later naval stations; shipwrecks like Monte Cervantes mark its hazardous past.
Visitors should avoid disturbing nesting penguins and keep distance from sea lion haul-outs; operators follow seasonal guidelines to minimize wildlife stress.
CALAIO VIAJES Y TURISMO operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The catamaran slips away from Ushuaia's tourist pier and the coastal buildings of the town narrow into a strip of harbor, the Beagle Channel opening like a cool mouth to the south.
The catamaran slips away from Ushuaia's tourist pier and the coastal buildings of the town narrow into a strip of harbor, the Beagle Channel opening like a cool mouth to the south.
Passengers feel the channel push and sigh around the hull as the guide points out the Maritime Museum (once the prison) and the low slopes of Olivia and Cinco Hermanos. The boat heads southwest toward Los Lobos and the island of birds, where sea lions haul out on rock ledges and Magellanic and Imperial cormorants hawk the air with nervous precision.
Geology here is blunt and recent: glacially polished headlands, scattered islets of igneous outcrop and sand-filled bays carved during the last ice age. Human history is compact — the naval and missionary posts, the remains of shipwrecks like Monte Cervantes, and the seasonal ranches of Tierra del Fuego speak of hard maritime livelihoods.
At Martillo Island the real surprise arrives: colonies of curious Magellanic penguins skirt the boat, diving and resurfacing beneath the catamaran as if inspecting visitors. The Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse stands small and stubborn on its islet, the channel currents circling it with steady insistence.
Practical guidance: expect 6 hours total; dress in windproof layers, bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom. Motion-sensitive travelers should pre-dose for seasickness. Boarding occurs at the pier; arrive at least 60 minutes early to check in. Restrooms are available onboard and the operator provides bilingual guiding. Summer (December–March) is peak wildlife viewing; shoulder seasons offer quieter seas but cooler winds.