Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

Martillo Island is the payoff on this five-hour Beagle Channel cruise: you travel through a dramatic mix of mountains and cold blue water, then reach a summer penguin colony where Magellanic penguins nest close to shore. Along the way, you pass sea lions, cormorants, small islands, Estancias, and the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.

I like the range of wildlife and the strong sense of place. The route gives you much more than a quick penguin sighting, and the bilingual commentary can add useful detail about penguin biology and behavior. I also like that you watch the birds from the catamaran rather than walking through the colony, which keeps the encounter less intrusive.

The main drawback is simple: you do not get off the boat at Martillo Island. The vessel may come close to shore, but this is a viewing cruise, not a walk among the penguins. A second consideration is the group size, which can reach 120 people, and rough weather can make the long return ride uncomfortable.

Key points to know before booking

• Martillo Island is viewed from the catamaran: This tour does not include walking on the island or among the penguins.
• The wildlife route is broad: You pass sea lions at Isla de los Lobos, seabirds at Isla de los Pájaros, cormorants near the lighthouse, and penguins at Martillo Island.
• The boat ride takes about five hours: Martillo Island can be roughly two and a half hours from Ushuaia, depending on conditions and the route.
• The boat can carry up to 120 people: Arrive early if you want a better place to see and photograph the animals.
• Weather matters: Wind can make the Beagle Channel rough, so dress warmly and consider your comfort on open water.
• Cruise passengers should not book it: The tour is specifically unsuitable for passengers working around a cruise ship schedule.

The real attraction: penguins at the end of a scenic route

The penguins are the star, but the journey is half the experience. From Ushuaia, the catamaran heads east through the Beagle Channel, a narrow waterway framed by Tierra del Fuego’s mountains and scattered islands.

You get a changing view of Ushuaia as the boat pulls away from shore. The city sits beneath steep mountains, and from the water you can see its buildings gathered along the coast. This is one of the best ways to understand Ushuaia’s setting. On foot, you see a southern city. From the channel, you see how tightly the city fits between mountain and sea.

The trip includes narration about the scenery and wildlife. Guides explain the penguins’ biology and behavior, and commentary is intended to be bilingual. That said, the quality and consistency of interpretation can vary. One useful warning is that Spanish commentary may occasionally take priority, especially toward the end of the return journey. If you need English information, tell the guide directly rather than assuming every announcement will be interpreted immediately.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained, with an onboard cafeteria. Food and drinks are not included, and outside food cannot be brought aboard for health regulations. The selection at the bar is limited, but a sandwich or drink is enough for most people during a half-day outing.

Leaving Ushuaia from the Tourist Port

You begin at the Canoeros box office at Av. Prefectura Naval Argentina 470, at Ushuaia’s Touristic Port. Arrive 30 minutes before your chosen departure time. You receive boarding instructions and the required information before joining the catamaran.

Port organization can be a weak point. At busy times, you may face one line for a voucher and another when returning to the port. Arriving early is not just a formality. It gives you time to find the correct box office, collect what you need, and board without a last-minute rush.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to the port, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. The package includes the five-hour boat navigation, a local professional guide, and the boarding tax. An air-conditioned vehicle is also listed among the inclusions, though the main part of this experience is the catamaran cruise.

Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel views

Once the boat clears the harbor, the first hour is a wide scenic sweep. The city recedes, and the view opens toward Mount Olivia and the Cinco Hermanos range. You also see the Fique and Tunnel Estancias, the Encajonado River, and other coastal landmarks.

The scenery is best enjoyed from outside, but conditions can be cold even when Ushuaia feels mild on land. Wind on the water changes the experience quickly. Bring a waterproof outer layer, a warm hat, and gloves if you tend to feel the cold. Comfortable indoor seating helps, but the finest views and photographs usually require time outside.

The first part of the ride can feel slow if you have booked this only for penguins. That is worth saying plainly. Five hours is a long time for a single wildlife stop, and several people find the return trip repetitive. If you enjoy open-water views, birds, and mountain scenery, the pace feels purposeful. If you want a short, direct animal visit, this may test your patience.

Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Lobos

The catamaran circles parts of the Bridges archipelago, including Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Lobos. These stops bring the wildlife closer to the boat and break up the long crossing to Martillo Island.

At Isla de los Pájaros, look for Tierra del Fuego’s coastal birdlife. The route may include skuas, black-browed albatrosses, steamer ducks, upland geese, kelp gulls, and gray gulls. The birds are wild and the viewing distance changes with the boat and water, so a camera with a good zoom lens is useful.

Isla de los Lobos is the place to watch South American sea lions, including animals with one and two layers of fur. They rest on the rocks, pile together, and occasionally move into the water. The boat gets close enough for good views, but you should not expect every animal to pose neatly for a photograph.

Crowds matter here. With as many as 120 people aboard, passengers gather at the most obvious viewing points. Some people move quickly to the front and sides of the catamaran, making it hard for others to see. If you want photographs, do not wait until the boat reaches each island to find a place. Get outside before the approach and be ready.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the SS Monte Cervantes

The vessel then heads toward the center of the channel and reaches Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. This red-and-white beacon is one of Ushuaia’s best-known sights, often called the Lighthouse at the End of the World, although that popular name is not strictly its official identity.

The lighthouse itself is photogenic, but the surrounding bird colonies add more interest. You can see imperial cormorants and rocky cormorants on nearby rocks. The guide also tells the story of the SS Monte Cervantes, which sank in 1930.

This stop is a good example of why the cruise works better as a complete route than as a simple penguin transfer. You get wildlife, local geography, and a piece of maritime history without leaving the boat. Still, the commentary can be difficult to hear when the boat is noisy or crowded. Stand near a speaker if the explanation matters to you, and ask the guide to repeat information when needed.

The crossing to Martillo Island

After the lighthouse, the catamaran continues east. The ride becomes more open, with views of the mountains around the channel and the distant coastlines of Argentina and Chile.

From the Argentine side, you can see Puerto Almanza. Across the water lies Puerto Williams and its naval base in Chile. Estancia Remolino is another notable sight along the route. These places give the crossing a frontier feel, with very little development compared with the city behind you.

The distance is important when planning your day. Martillo Island can take about two and a half hours to reach, so the wildlife stop comes late in the outing. You should think of the tour as a full half-day cruise, not a quick excursion with a short boat ride attached.

The channel can turn rough. Wind and tide caused significant motion on some departures, and seasickness affected many passengers. Crew members have helped people who became ill, but it is better to prepare than rely on rescue. Sit inside if you are sensitive to motion, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and bring any medication you normally use for boat trips. The operator may cancel or shorten the route in poor conditions, and refunds or alternative arrangements depend on what portion of the navigation operates.

Seeing the penguins from the catamaran

Martillo Island is home to a summer colony of Magellanic penguins. The catamaran stops near the island so you can watch and photograph the birds from aboard.

This is the point that needs the clearest explanation: there is no walk on Martillo Island. You do not step onto the shore, follow a path through the colony, or stand beside the penguins. If you want an experience on land, you need a different, longer tour that specifically includes a shore visit.

The boat can come close enough to give you a satisfying view, especially when penguins gather near the water or along the beach. Several passengers have found the animals close enough for memorable photographs, but a zoom lens remains a smart choice. Do not count on a phone camera producing detailed images from every position aboard.

Penguin numbers can change. Wildlife does not perform on schedule, and the colony may look full one day and sparse another. The season also matters because the tour operates around the summer nesting period. A smaller group of birds does not mean the visit has failed, but it can make the price feel high if penguins are your only reason for going.

The boat itself creates another limitation. At the Martillo stop, many people want the same front and side views. The best position may already be occupied, and movement around the deck can be difficult. Arrive at the viewing area early, share space sensibly, and remember that the island is more important than getting a perfect personal photograph.

From an environmental point of view, viewing from the water is the less intrusive option. You still participate in a commercial wildlife excursion, but you are not walking through nesting areas or approaching individual birds on foot. If responsible wildlife viewing matters to you, this format may feel more comfortable than a shore-based visit.

Is the $177 price fair?

At $177 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The price pays for a long route, the catamaran, guide service, boarding tax, and access to several wildlife-viewing areas. You are getting five hours on the Beagle Channel, not just a short run to one island.

The value depends on how you use the trip. I think the price is easier to justify if you want a single outing that combines Ushuaia’s mountain views, the lighthouse, sea lions, seabirds, cormorants, and penguins. It is harder to justify if you expect to land on Martillo Island or if you care only about close penguin photography.

There is also a practical price concern. The tour is sold through a provider, and some bookings have cost more than arranging a similar excursion locally. Check the local Canoeros options at the port before committing if you have time, but compare the exact departure, route, boat, inclusions, and cancellation terms. A cheaper ticket is not useful if it does not include the same sailing.

Group size, comfort, and the best place to stand

The maximum group size is 120 people. That is large enough to affect the experience, especially at the lighthouse and penguin stop. You can still find your own space, but this is not an intimate expedition with a guide for every few passengers.

I would board with three goals: find the commentary speakers, identify an indoor seat, and learn how to reach the outside viewing areas. Move outside before each major stop instead of waiting for the announcement. The front and side rails offer the best chance of a clear view, but be considerate of people behind you.

The catamaran has a cafeteria, and the boat is generally comfortable for the long crossing. The open deck is exposed to wind, so warm clothing matters more than fashion. The tour operates in all weather conditions unless conditions are unsafe enough to cancel or change the route.

Who should book this cruise?

This tour suits you if you want a broad Beagle Channel experience and are happy to treat the penguins as one part of a larger outing. It works well for photographers with a zoom lens, families who want several types of wildlife, and anyone who prefers viewing animals from a boat rather than walking into a colony.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy scenery and do not mind a slow pace. The mountains, channel, lighthouse, estancias, and Chilean coastline give the journey plenty to look at between wildlife stops.

I would choose something else if your main goal is walking among penguins. I would also hesitate if you are very prone to seasickness, dislike crowded decks, or have a tight cruise-ship timetable. This activity is explicitly not suitable for cruise passengers, and changes to departure times or weather delays could leave too little time to return to your ship.

Book at least several weeks ahead if your dates are fixed. The experience is often reserved about a month in advance, and summer wildlife outings can fill. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but late changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Martillo Island penguin cruise?

Book it if you want a full Beagle Channel wildlife cruise with penguins as the highlight rather than the entire purpose. The route offers strong scenery, several animal-viewing stops, a well-kept boat, and a memorable look at the remote waters around Ushuaia.

Skip it if the words Martillo Island make you picture yourself walking beside penguins. You will remain aboard the catamaran, share the viewing space with a large group, and accept the risk of wind, cold, and rough water. At $177, that distinction matters.

My practical call: choose this tour for variety and convenience, then bring warm layers, seasickness protection, and a zoom lens. Choose a shore-based penguin outing instead if personal access to the island is the one feature you care about most.

FAQ

Does the tour include walking among the penguins?

No. You remain on the catamaran and view the penguin colony from the water. Walking on Martillo Island is not included.

How long does the excursion last?

The boat trip lasts approximately five hours, including the route through the Beagle Channel and the visit near Martillo Island.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at the Canoeros box office at Av. Prefectura Naval Argentina 470 in Ushuaia’s Touristic Port. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What wildlife can I see?

The route includes Magellanic penguins, sea lions, imperial and rocky cormorants, and several seabirds. Possible birds include skuas, black-browed albatrosses, steamer ducks, upland geese, kelp gulls, and gray gulls.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. An onboard cafeteria sells limited food and beverages, and outside food cannot be brought onto the catamaran.

Can cruise passengers take this tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for cruise passengers because the five-hour schedule and possible weather changes may not fit a ship’s arrival and departure times.