Beagle Channel Boat Trips from Ushuaia: Every Option Compared (2026–27)

Every Beagle Channel boat trip compared

What are the main types of Beagle Channel boat trip?

There are four core products: the classic 3-hour island loop, the 5–6-hour penguin catamaran, the Piratour landing, and smaller-boat variants. Kayaking and the Puerto Williams crossing sit alongside them.

1. The classic catamaran: sea lions and Les Éclaireurs (2.5–3 h)

This is the Beagle Channel trip almost everyone does, and it is the right default. Boats leave the port and cross Ushuaia Bay with the Martial range behind the city. They circle Isla de los Pájaros (cormorant colonies, skuas, kelp and dolphin gulls, black-browed albatross on the wing), then Isla de los Lobos, where South American sea lions and South American fur seals haul out on the rocks. The turnaround is Les Éclaireurs lighthouse, where guides tell the story of the SS Monte Cervantes, which sank nearby in 1930.

Many departures add a short landing on the Bridges Islands. Canoero’s version “tiene incluido un descenso en Puerto Karelo,” a guided walk of about 20 minutes past genuine Yámana shell middens to a viewpoint.

2026 prices we found:

• Canoero: ARS 113,500, port fee (ARS 5,500) included, departures 09:30/10:00 and 15:00/15:30, all year. Canoero’s own site was unreachable when we rechecked on 23 October 2026, so confirm the current fare.
• Rumbo Sur: ARS 130,000 for its 3-hour Isla de Lobos trip, all year (rumbosur.com.ar, checked 23 October 2026).
• Tolkeyen: ARS 130,000 list, ARS 117,000 with its 10% online discount (tolkeyenpatagonia.com, checked 23 October 2026). On Viator, Tolkeyen’s Navigation Beagle Canal to the Lighthouse costs from $70, rated 4.6/5 from 42 reviews, with a short walk on Karelo Island.
• Agency listing (excursionesenushuaia.com): ARS 125,500 adult, ARS 65,500 child, port fee included, 10:00 and 15:00, free cancellation up to 72 hours before.

Verdict: the best value on the channel. If you only do one boat trip outside penguin season, make it this one.

2. Small boats and yachts: closer to the islands (~4 h)

Patagonia Adventure Explorer has run small-group trips since 1998 on the KAMS and TELIENKA, “15-meter long twin boats that allow getting real close to the islands,” with groups of no more than about 25. The route covers the same islands plus a walk on Bridges Island, with coffee and a snack aboard. Its Beagle Channel Navigation with Minitrekking costs from $96 on Viator, rated 4.8/5 from 724 reviews, the most-reviewed Beagle Channel listing we found. A private charter is around USD 2,100–2,430 for the boat.

Verdict: our pick for photographers and anyone who dislikes crowds. You give up the big catamaran’s heated lounge for closer approaches and a real deck.

3. Penguin catamaran to Isla Martillo (5–6 h, boat only)

These trips run the classic loop and then continue east for roughly two hours to Isla Martillo, near Estancia Harberton, to view the colony from the water. You do not land.

2026–27 prices and seasons:

• Canoero: ARS 213,000 including the port fee, about 5 hours, “Disponible durante temporada alta (octubre a marzo),” morning (09:00) and afternoon (15:00).
• Canoero via reseller infodeushuaia.com: from ARS 251,700, season 15 October 2026 to 6 April 2027. The same trip sells on Viator as the Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo, from $240, rated 4.2/5 from 127 reviews, with fees and taxes included.
• Tolkeyen: ARS 230,000 list, ARS 207,000 online, 6 hours, summer season (tolkeyenpatagonia.com, checked 23 October 2026).
• Rumbo Sur: ARS 230,000, about 6 hours, summer season (rumbosur.com.ar, checked 23 October 2026).
• Nomades (Canoero penguin trip, August 2026 listing): ARS 185,000 plus a cash port charge of ARS 10,400.

The spread (ARS 185,000–251,700) comes from different listing dates, whether the port fee is included, and reseller mark-ups. Book direct for the lowest price, or through an agency if you need hotel transfers or a bundle.

Verdict: the best penguin option for families, people with limited mobility and anyone on a mid-range budget. Bring binoculars: you watch from 10–30 metres off the beach, not from among the birds.

4. Piratour: walking with penguins on Isla Martillo

Piratour’s walk is the only way to set foot on the island. The overland version leaves Piratour’s office at the tourist pier (Av. Prefectura Naval 410) by minibus along Routes 3 and J to Estancia Harberton (about 85–90 km). From there it is “a 15 minute ride on a semi-rigid boat” to the island, where “we walk for 1 hour along Gentoo and Magellanics penguins, always with a guide.” Piratour also sells a “Pingüinera + Navegación” version: catamaran out at 09:00 via the classic islands, penguin walk, Acatushún Museum at Harberton, and bus back, about 8–9 hours.

Price 2026–27: Piratour had not published its 2026–27 rates when we checked; its own page shows empty price boxes and a “request a quote” option. Reseller Happyguest lists ARS 260,000 per adult and ARS 158,000 for ages 4–11 for October and November 2026. On Viator, the Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option costs from $540, rated 4.6/5 from 83 reviews, and the Ushuaia: Martillo Island and Walk Among Penguins Full-Day Tour costs from $520, rated 4.7/5 from 53 reviews; neither includes the Harberton entry or the port fee. One TripAdvisor reviewer said a December 2026 full-day booking cost “330 euros pp.” Harberton entry is extra, payable in cash and “sin excepción” (no exceptions); the two Viator listings quote ARS 50,000 and ARS 60,000, so check the current rate with the estancia. Piratour notes “Los días martes la Estancia se encuentra cerrada” (the estancia is closed on Tuesdays).

Capacity: daily numbers are strictly limited. The Diario de a Bordo travel blog reports that “solo se permite la visita de 80 personas al día, en grupos de 20 personas como máximo cada vez”, a cap of 80 people per day in groups of at most 20, each allowed one hour on the island. We could not confirm the exact current cap with Piratour, but December–February dates often sell out.

Verdict: expensive, and the trip to choose if penguins are the reason you came to Ushuaia. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.

5. Puerto Almanza penguin trips

Instead of sailing two hours or more each way from Ushuaia, these trips drive to Puerto Almanza, a tiny fishing settlement on the Ruta de la Centolla (King Crab Route), and make a short boat hop to view Isla Martillo. Many include a seafood lunch. Rumbo Sur sells two versions: a 9-hour “Navegación Pingüinera y Puerto Almanza / Punta Paraná” (catamaran out to the penguins, road back via Almanza) from 1 November to 31 March at ARS 390,000, and a 7-hour afternoon Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná trip from 1 October to 31 March at ARS 250,000 (rumbosur.com.ar, checked 23 October 2026). Agency versions range from about ARS 125,000 (boat and transport only) to ARS 300,000–352,000 with lunch. We found no Almanza penguin boat on GetYourGuide or Viator, so book these locally.

Verdict: the best penguin trip for anyone prone to seasickness, because most of the journey is by road.

6. Sailing and kayaking

True sailing yachts operate in small numbers and change from season to season; Patagonia Adventure Explorer’s motor-yacht trips are the most established small-boat option. For paddling, Canal Fun (office at 136 Roca St, about 300 m uphill from the port) runs a private half-day sea-kayak tour with lunch, from about USD 219 for ages 14+, plus a “Sea Kayak Isla Gable” trip in the eastern channel from October to April. Other operators run shorter kayak sessions from Club Náutico AFASyN for ages 6+. These are booked direct with the operators.

Verdict: kayaking is the most memorable way to feel the channel, but the wind often shortens or cancels sessions.

7. Crossing to Puerto Williams, Chile

The standard route is a speedboat from Ushuaia to Puerto Navarino on Isla Navarino (about 4 nautical miles, roughly 30 minutes), Chilean immigration, then a 57 km coastal road transfer to Puerto Williams.

• Price: USD 160 per person per leg and USD 280 return, listed by Explora Isla Navarino and Turismo Shila.
• Schedule: Monday to Saturday mornings. Shila lists 08:30 from the Onashaga booth at the Ushuaia pier, with bookings closing at 17:00 the day before. Ask about Sundays and holidays.
• Season: regular crossings run October to March. In winter there is a private speedboat for about USD 940 per leg for 1–4 people.
• Extras: a port tax paid in cash in Ushuaia. Operators quote USD 10; Shila quotes ARS 10,000. Under ANPYN Resolution 22/2026 (in force 1 May 2026), the passenger fee for international cabotage is USD 10.
• Rules: bring your passport (or DNI/cédula for eligible nationals). Boats carry about 12 passengers, and vehicles are not carried.
• Journey time: one guide gives about 2 hours door to door; another gives 4–4.5 hours. Plan for the longer figure, and don’t count on returning the same day.

Verdict: do it as a one-way leg of a longer trip (Puerto Williams, the Dientes de Navarino trek, Cape Horn flights), not as a Beagle day out.

8. Antarctic and Patagonian expedition cruises

Ushuaia is the main gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula, and expedition ships and the Australis cruises to Punta Arenas sail the full length of the Beagle. Those are multi-day voyages and outside the scope of this guide; for the Antarctic voyages, see our Antarctica guide.

Which operators run Beagle Channel trips?

The main operators all sell from ticket booths along the waterfront (Av. Maipú/Prefectura Naval) and differ mostly in boat size, inclusions and departure times.

What wildlife will you see on the Beagle Channel, month by month?

Sea lions, fur seals and cormorants are near-certain all year; penguins are seasonal; whales and dolphins are a bonus.

About the penguins: Isla Martillo’s colony is mostly Magellanic penguins, with a small group of Gentoos that guide sources call the only Gentoo breeding colony in mainland South America. Published counts vary widely. Piratour cites “around 1000 nests”; Schiavini & Raya Rey (2001), cited in the journal El Hornero, recorded growth from 519 to 1,113 breeding pairs between 1992 and 2001; and a later peer-reviewed study of tourist visits describes the island as “home to 3500 breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins.” Treat any single number with caution. King penguins (one to a few) and the occasional rockhopper turn up some seasons; enjoy them if they are there, but never book around them.

About whales and dolphins: some 2026 reviewers report seeing whales on penguin trips, and dolphins are seen fairly regularly. No operator guarantees them, and on the 3-hour classic loop they are a lucky bonus.

Les Éclaireurs lighthouse: what’s true and what’s myth?

Les Éclaireurs is a working, automated navigation light that you can photograph from the water but not visit. It is not Jules Verne’s “lighthouse at the end of the world.”

• Location: on the northeastern islet of the Les Éclaireurs group, about 5 nautical miles east of Ushuaia. The islets were named by Louis Martial’s French La Romanche expedition of 1882–83; éclaireurs means “scouts” or “those who light the way.”
• The tower: brick, 11 m high and 3 m across at the base, painted red-white-red. Its lantern sits 22.5 m above sea level.
• History: built between 19 December 1918 and 23 January 1919, and put into service on 23 December 1920.
• Today: automated, solar-powered, uninhabited and closed to the public. Its range is about 7.2 nautical miles.
• The “End of the World” mix-up: Verne’s lighthouse was San Juan de Salvamento, on Isla de los Estados, far to the east.

Estancia Harberton and Isla Martillo: what you need to know

Harberton is the historic ranch that owns Isla Martillo. You visit it on Piratour trips and on catamaran-plus-bus combos.

• History: Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges founded it in 1886 as Tierra del Fuego’s first productive enterprise, and his descendants still run it. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1999.
• Acatushún Museum: a museum of southern seabirds and marine mammals, created by biologist Natalie Prosser Goodall and opened on 10 March 2001.
• Opening: the estancia’s site gives 11 October to March, 12:00–19:00, closed Tuesdays and on 25 December and 1 January. Entry covers guided tours of the homestead and the museum.
• Entry fee: the estancia’s site did not show a 2026/27 price when we checked in October 2026. Tour listings quote ARS 50,000–60,000 in cash, so confirm the fee and the opening date with the estancia before you go.

Which Beagle Channel trip is best for you?

Pick the trip that fits your limits: time and seasickness narrow your choice more than budget does.

• Only half a day: classic catamaran, 3 hours.
• Tightest budget: classic catamaran booked direct. Canoero’s ARS 113,500 includes the port fee.
• Kids: classic catamaran or penguin catamaran. Big boats have heated cabins, toilets and cafés, and Canoero charges 50% for ages 4–11 and nothing for under-4s. Piratour’s island walk works for children who can walk for an hour and follow instructions.
• Limited mobility: large catamarans (the cabin is on the main deck). Skip the Karelo/Bridges landings, Piratour’s semi-rigid boat and kayaks. Ask about boarding ramps, especially while boats use the temporary pier.
• Prone to seasickness: Puerto Almanza penguin trips (mostly road) or Piratour’s overland version. On the water, choose a large catamaran and a morning departure.
• Photographers: small yacht for the classic islands, Piratour for penguins. Bring a 70–300 mm lens.
• Penguin-obsessed: Piratour, booked weeks ahead, with a boat-only catamaran as a backup if it is sold out.

Our picks

• Best overall: classic catamaran with the Karelo/Bridges walk (Canoero or Tolkeyen).
• Best penguin experience: Piratour’s Isla Martillo walk.
• Best penguin value: Canoero’s penguin catamaran.
• Best budget: Canoero classic booked direct, port fee included.
• Best small group: Patagonia Adventure Explorer.
• Best for photographers: small yacht in the morning, plus Piratour in season.
• Best if you have three hours: the 15:00 classic catamaran after a park or train morning.

Morning or afternoon? Seats, light and wind

Take a morning boat if wind or seasickness worries you; take an afternoon boat if you want to fill the morning with the national park or train. Ushuaia’s wind often builds through the day, and locals say summer is generally windier than winter.

• Seats: for the outbound leg, sit or stand on the right (starboard) side for Ushuaia and the mountains. At the islands, go out on deck: captains usually turn the boat so both sides get a view.
• Light: morning light is softer on the islands. Afternoon light in summer is long and warm, and sunset trips can be stunning.
• Seasickness: the channel is sheltered, and big catamarans barely pitch in moderate winds. Choppy afternoons do happen, especially on the longer penguin run. Take medication 30–60 minutes before departure, stay outside or near the middle of the boat, look at the horizon, and eat something light.

How to combine a Beagle Channel trip with a national park day

The easiest same-day combination is a national park tour (with or without the End of the World Train) in the morning and the 15:00 classic catamaran in the afternoon.

Sample plan 1: the classic Ushuaia day (all year)

• 08:00–08:30: pick-up for a half-day Tierra del Fuego National Park tour, such as the Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour, Train Optional (from $52, rated 4.8/5 from 509 reviews). See our train tickets and prices guide for 2026–27 fares (Tourist ARS 80,000 / Premium ARS 250,000), and budget for the park entrance fee (ARS 40,000 for foreigners).
• ~13:00–13:30: back in town. Lunch near the waterfront.
• 14:30: check in at the operator’s booth.
• 15:00–18:00: classic catamaran to Lobos, Pájaros and Les Éclaireurs.

Sample plan 2: park and penguins in one long day (November–March) Tolkeyen sells park-and-boat packages (its park and Beagle Channel day costs ARS 257,000, or ARS 205,600 online): park in the morning, then the 15:00 catamaran. The penguin version makes a 12-hour day, fine for energetic adults and tiring for small children. On GetYourGuide, the National Park, End of the World Train & Beagle Channel Day puts the park, the train and the classic boat trip on one booking (from $162, 8.5 hours, rated 4.6/5 from 363 reviews); our park and Beagle Channel combo page compares the options.

Sample plan 3: two days (recommended in penguin season)

• Day 1: national park and train in the morning, then the classic catamaran or the Senda Costera hike in the afternoon.
• Day 2: Piratour’s walk with penguins, or a penguin catamaran plus Harberton.

Multi-day tip: schedule your boat trip on your first or second day so a wind cancellation can roll to a later date.

Booking: direct, online or agency?

Book the classic catamaran direct, a day or two ahead. Book Piratour and peak-season penguin trips as early as possible.

• Direct at the waterfront booths: usually the cheapest, and you can check the forecast first. Canoero and Tolkeyen give 10% off for booking online.
• Online marketplaces (Viator, GetYourGuide, Civitatis): you pay in USD and usually get free cancellation (often 24 hours). Prices are higher, and the “local supplier” is often one of the operators above.
• Agencies and bundles: convenient if you want hotel transfers, or the park and the boat on one voucher.
• Weather cancellations: the Prefectura Naval Argentina (coast guard) can suspend sailings in strong winds. Reputable sellers refund or rebook; Nomades, for example, states “In case of suspension for weather conditions, we will refund 100% of your payment.” Ask the seller’s policy before paying, and check whether the port fee is refunded too.
• Cruise-ship days: more than 590 passenger-ship calls are confirmed for 2026–27, according to ANPYN figures reported by GlobalPorts, about 100 more than last season, so some afternoons sell out. If your ship is in port, see our Ushuaia shore excursions guide.

What changed for the 2026–27 season?

The headline change is the pier.

• Pier closure: the national port agency ANPYN took over management of the Port of Ushuaia on 22 January 2026. A storm on 13 April 2026, with gusts over 100 km/h, made part of the iron catamaran pier give way. ANPYN closed it in July 2026, after an Armada Argentina underwater inspection found that “ninguno de los pilotes inspeccionados se encuentra en condiciones adecuadas,” and moved catamaran operations “en forma provisoria” (provisionally) to the commercial pier.
• No repair date: GlobalPorts reported that “ANPYN no precisó plazos ni montos estimados para una eventual reconstrucción del muelle de hierro.” In August, Rumbo Sur’s Ángel Brisighelli warned that the end of the pier was “literalmente en el aire” (literally in the air) and that it was unclear where displaced boats would berth this summer; Cornejo, speaking for a local business chamber, told El Diario del Fin del Mundo that moving the catamarans to the commercial pier was “una locura.”
• What it means for you: the ticket booths still operate on the waterfront, but your boarding gate may differ from what older guides describe. Arrive 30 minutes early and ask exactly where to board.
• New port fees: ANPYN’s Resolution 22/2026 introduced a new port tariff from 1 May 2026, with passenger fees of USD 3.50 for national cabotage, USD 10 for international cabotage (relevant to Puerto Williams) and USD 22 for vessels over 50 m. Many catamaran operators fold the local fee into the ticket price (Canoero shows ARS 5,500 included), but some sellers still collect it separately in cash: we saw ARS 6,000 and ARS 10,400 in 2026 listings.
• Prices: Canoero’s web rates run to 31 December 2026, and Harberton had not published its 2026/27 fee at our last check. Expect increases from January 2027.

What to wear and bring

Dress for 5–10°C and wind on deck, even in summer.

• Waterproof shell, warm fleece or down, hat and gloves.
• Closed, grippy shoes for the Karelo/Bridges landing and the Martillo walk.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: UV is strong in summer.
• Binoculars and a charged phone or camera with a spare battery.
• Cash in pesos in case the port fee is not included.
• Passport for Puerto Williams, and for some bookings that collect passport details.
• Don’t plan on eating packed food: some operators ban outside food on board, but most big boats have a café.

Beagle Channel boat trip FAQ

How much does a Beagle Channel boat trip cost in 2026?

A classic 3-hour catamaran costs about ARS 113,500–130,000 booked locally, or from about $70 on Viator; penguin catamarans cost about ARS 185,000–251,700.

Can you walk with penguins in Ushuaia?

Yes, only with Piratour, which lands small groups on Isla Martillo for a one-hour guided walk, roughly October to March or early April.

When is penguin season on the Beagle Channel?

Penguin boats run from about mid-October (some operators from 1 November) to 31 March, with a few departures into early April.

Is the lighthouse on the boat trip the “Lighthouse at the End of the World”?

No. Les Éclaireurs (in service since 1920) is often called that, but Jules Verne’s lighthouse is San Juan de Salvamento on Isla de los Estados.

Can you visit Les Éclaireurs lighthouse?

No. It is automated and closed to the public, and you see it from the boat.

Do Beagle Channel trips run in winter?

Yes. The classic sea lion and lighthouse trip runs all year (typically 10:00 and 15:00 from April to September), but penguin trips don’t.

Will I get seasick?

Probably not on a large catamaran on a calm morning. If you are prone to it, choose a morning departure, a big boat or a road-based Almanza penguin trip.

What happens if my trip is cancelled for wind?

Coast guard suspensions are usually refunded or rebooked by the seller. Confirm the policy before you pay, and leave a spare day.

How do I get from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams?

Take a speedboat to Puerto Navarino plus a road transfer, about USD 160 per leg (USD 280 return), running Monday–Saturday mornings from October to March.

Where do Beagle Channel boats leave from?

From Ushuaia’s port on the waterfront, with booths along Av. Maipú/Prefectura Naval. In 2026–27 boats are using a provisional berth at the commercial pier, so check the boarding point with your operator.

Can I do the national park and a boat trip on the same day?

Yes. Take a morning park (and train) tour and the 15:00 catamaran, or book a combined park, train and Beagle Channel day.

Is the boat-only penguin trip worth it compared to Piratour?

Yes, if you are happy watching from the water at about half the price; choose Piratour if being among the penguins matters to you.

Plan your park morning and Beagle afternoon

A good Ushuaia day pairs a Tierra del Fuego National Park morning (forest, lakes, the coast at Lapataia, optionally the End of the World Train) with a 15:00 Beagle Channel catamaran. Our best Tierra del Fuego National Park tours get you back to town in time, and the park or Beagle Channel comparison helps if you only have room for one.

Related guides: Tierra del Fuego National Park guide · Park entrance fee · Ushuaia shore excursions · Ushuaia in winter · Senda Costera hike · Best things to do in Ushuaia · End of the World Train · Train tickets and prices · Getting to Tierra del Fuego from Buenos Aires · National park train tours · Best scenic train rides in the world

About these figures

• Prices: all prices were last checked in October 2026. Argentine peso prices change often, and online USD prices include marketplace mark-ups.
• Penguin counts: the figures above come from different years and methods, so we give the range rather than one number.
• Piratour: the daily capacity figure comes from the Diario de a Bordo blog, not an official statement, and Piratour had not published its 2026–27 price.
• Port and Harberton: pier arrangements and Harberton’s 2026/27 terms may change before or during the season.