Category Penguin Watching Tours

Argentina · PENGUIN WATCHING TOURS

Penguin Watching in Argentina: Top 11 Tours

11 reviewed

Magellanic and gentoo colonies sit on islands in the Beagle Channel, and the trips fall into two camps: catamarans that circle at a distance, and permit-limited landings that put you on the beach with them. These 11 tours show which is which, what the season runs, and what each one costs.

Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran - Getting on board at Catamaranes Canoero, and how to avoid a rough start

Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island - Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Mount Cervantes Wreck Story

2.Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92Best value

Sail the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia to Martillo Island for close-up penguins, sea lions, birds, and the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse.

“Good activity overall to see the sea lions and penguins. The boat gets really close to them so it’s perfect for pictures. The boat itself is clean, modern and spacious, with a café on board. There’s seating upstairs and downstairs which is comfortable, and outside space to view at the stops. Staff all super friendly. -Downside is the price was expensive for what it was. -There could have been another stop, maybe at a local fisherman’s village on the way back, as the way back was long. -Could not hear what the tour guide was saying over the microphone, sharing history etc with us. It seemed only one speaker out…”

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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island - Martillo Island penguins: what close really means here

3.Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · 5 hours · from $178

A 5-hour Beagle Channel catamaran to Martillo Island for close penguin sightings, sea lions, lighthouse views, and serious photo ops.

“Great trip and a bucket list must do. We had an additional sighting of a Humpback Whale so extra bonus. No issues at all”

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Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo - Martillo Island penguins: the main reason you’re here

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

Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel - Isla Bridges and Faro Les Eclaireurs: birds, sea lions, and the Monte Cervantes story

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 108 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $177

5-hour Beagle Channel catamaran to Martillo Island to see Magellanic penguins, sea lions, cormorants, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.

“The boat is nothing special, but it serves its purpose, and is clean and well-maintained. The main point is that you'll get to see the amazing sights of the Beagle Channel, which are truly beautiful. Note however that the weather can be very cold on the water - we were there last week spring and it was freezing, so bundle up. Also, we did not actually get to go ashore to walk with the penguins, so if you want to do that, you'll need to take the longer tour. Overall, it was well worth the money.”

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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience

Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience - Martillo Island penguins: a guided walk where you are part of the scene

6.Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · 9h 30m · from $449

Ushuaia Beagle Channel cruise plus a guided Martillo Island penguin walk, with lighthouse stops and cold-weather prep for an epic day.

“I enjoyed the unique opportunity to see wild animals up close and not a zoo. It made me feel like I'm one of them, not a human spectator (even though I still technically was, the penguins seemed comfortable with me walking around them) ❤️ The Beauty of how many different mountains are behind mountains, behind mountains was unique for me. Every time you looked out the boat window it was different scenery 🗻🏔️⛰️”

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Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands

Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands - Isla Los Lobos sea lions: watching them at home, not in a zoo

7.Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 84 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $158

Beagle Channel catamaran from Ushuaia with sea lions, birds, and Martillo Island penguins viewed up close from the boat.

“The boat was well equipped and comfortable with indoor and outdoor seating/viewing and terrific snack option’s available. Beautiful scenery and seeing the lighthouse, seals and MANY penguins were a highlight. The tour delivered on its purpose!”

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Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option

Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option - From the Ushuaia tourist pier: timing, check-in, and the 30-minute rule

8.Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $291

Walk with penguins on Martillo Island from Ushuaia, with guided access, scenic Beagle Channel boat time, and clear rules for close viewing.

“The tour itself was wonderful. The logistics of booking was a bit concerning. Viator booked through a 2nd agency that booked through a 3rd agency. When we arrived at the hotel, they didnt know where to send us and when we arrived for checkin, we had no idea which agency to speak to. Then once arriving at 630am, we were told we could not checkin until 730am (with our kids waiting!), even though I had called to confirm the night before. My advice, book the tour with a local agency and NOT through viator!”

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Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn

Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn - The 1.5 km Penguin Boardwalk: Photos, Nests, and the End of the Route

9.Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $120Top rated

Punta Tombo penguins from Puerto Madryn cruise port, with pickup, English guide, box lunch, and plenty of time on the boardwalk.

“This was a very well organized tour, they were efficient and great in communicating thru Whatsapp on the time and meeting place. This tour started early and we got there before all the big buses showed up. Our tour guide Marcela was very good and very enthusiastic, armed with a wealth of information about the wild animals in the area. She was great in spotting and pointing out animals we encountered. We saw an armadillo!! She was a bit hard to understand sometimes, but she more than make up this deficiency with all the pluses. We did come late for this tour (March), all the penguin chicks were gone. U…”

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From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran - Isla de los Lobos and the Sea Lions in Plain Sight

10.From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Catamaran penguin watching from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, with sea lions, cormorants, and Martillo Island penguins.

“Catamarano stra colmo di gente . As ogni attrattiva da vedere ci si ammassava fuori e se eri dietro non vedevi assolutamente nulla e la gente non si spostava. Siamo arrivati dai pinguini prima di tutte le altre barche e nonostante questo la nostra si é fermata dove c’erano solo una decina di pinguini mentre il “gruppo super grande “ non siamo riusciti a vederlo nemmeno ha fatto un giro per poter mostrare anche a chi non ha visto nulla. In prezzo assurdo si quasi 169€ a persona ! I peggio spesi. Sxonsiglko !!!meglio barca piccola”

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Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn

Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn - The Long Drive From the Pier, and Why It’s Part of the Deal

11.Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $125

Small-group Punta Tombo shore excursion from Puerto Madryn with lunch, air-conditioned transport, and up-close Magellanic penguins plus optional dinosaur photos.

“Well organized-small group size-well versed English speaking guide. Left early (before cruise ship buses)- had plenty of time in the rookery and timely return back to ship. Would recommend this tour to any cruise ship guests.”

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