Beagle Channel: Tours and Boat Excursions

The boat tour through the Beagle Channel invites visitors to discover marine wildlife and admire stunning landscapes.

Sailing through the Beagle Channel is one of the most classic excursions available in Ushuaia.

From the city of Ushuaia, various travel agencies offer boat excursions through the Beagle Channel. These tours are carried out on catamarans or certified vessels equipped with heating and restrooms to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for tourists.

There are different types of excursions. Most trips last about 3 hours and visit Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and include a landing on Karelo Island. There are also longer tours (5+ hours) and private boat trips with customized itineraries.

Tourist Pier - Ushuaia Port

Tours depart from the Port of Ushuaia, located in the city center. The Tourist Pier hosts the offices of several travel agencies offering boat tours. There is also a café, a tourist information office, and public restrooms.

Important: A Port Fee must be paid before boarding any tour.

Address: Av. Prefectura Naval Argentina & Comodoro Augusto Lasserre.

The port is easily accessible on foot from downtown Ushuaia.

Classic Navigation to Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

This catamaran excursion is the most popular sailing tour in Ushuaia and can be enjoyed year-round, even on cloudy or rainy days.

Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours

Departure times: Daily at 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM

Itinerary

The excursion begins at the city port, sailing through Ushuaia Bay to Paso Chico, where the boat enters the Beagle Channel. With breathtaking panoramic views, the journey continues to Bird Island, where passengers can spot native bird species such as kelp gulls, steamer ducks, upland geese, albatrosses, cormorants, and skuas.

A few minutes later, the boat arrives at Sea Lion Island, home to a colony of South American sea lions. This stop offers great photo opportunities.

The final highlight is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (often mistakenly called the "Lighthouse at the End of the World"), a site rich in history, exploration, and shipwrecks.

The return journey offers beautiful views of mountain ranges, islets, water colors, forests, and the city of Ushuaia.

Navigation to Sea Lion Island + Penguin Colony

Duration: Approximately 5 hours

Departure: Daily at 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (October to April only)

Itinerary

This extended tour begins at the Tourist Pier and follows the same route as the classic excursion to Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.

The boat continues along the Beagle Channel. From the shore, you can see Remolino Ranch and the wreck of the Monte Sarmiento ship. The journey then passes Gable Island and the Chilean Navy Base at Puerto Williams.

Finally, the tour reaches Martillo Island, home to a colony of Magellanic penguins. The boat approaches the shore slowly to allow passengers to observe the penguins up close.

Navigation to the Penguin Colony + Harberton Ranch with Overland Return

Duration: Approximately 10 hours

Departure: 8:30 AM (Not available daily; check with travel agencies. Operates October to April only)

Itinerary

This full-day tour extends the previous penguin colony navigation. After visiting all key points (Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Martillo Island), the tour continues to the historic Harberton Ranch.

Visitors disembark to tour the main house, shearing shed, workshops, and museum. After exploring the ranch and its surroundings, the return to Ushuaia is by bus via Route J, a scenic gravel road crossing peat bogs, rivers, forests, and mountains.