Guided Penguin Watching Tour and Centolla Route

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

8 hours

Mobile ticket

Visiting the southernmost fishing village, enjoying its exquisite marine gastronomy and sailing to meet the charismatic penguins is a unique plan. Beginning with National Route No. 3, we cross the Fueguino valleys surrounded by mountains, turbulence and winter centers that dazzle along the way.

Then we take Provincial Route J, a path surrounded by centuries-old forests towards the coast of the Beagle Channel. Along the way, we look at marine production areas, such as mussel cultivation and scentolla traps, known here as the "red gold". From the pier in Puerto Almanza, we embark on a zodiac to navigate the Beagle Channel to Isla Martillo, home to Magellanic penguins and Papua. We observe them in their natural and wild environment. Finally we return to the village to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, tasting fresh produce from the region, closing this unforgettable experience before returning.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

We only serve alcoholic beverages to travelers over the age of 18. Non-alcoholic beverages are available for guests under the age of 18.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Lunch in fisherman's restaurant to enjoy the delights of the Beagle Canal in a wonderful setting, surrounded by forests, mountains and seafront. Consult for vegerian options

Professional tour guide throughout the tour

Only one glass of wine or beer (for 18 years and over only), extra alcoholic beverages not included.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Martillo Island

Hammer Island, known as penguin, is inhabited by colonies of Magellanic and Papuan penguins. On this excursion the experience will be unique as you visit a zodiac ensuring you get much closer to the coast, providing exceptional views of the penguins in their natural habitat. You will enjoy more time watching these amazing and curious birds as they move along the beach or swim in the water. The proximity to the fauna, combined with the thrill of sailing in a zodiac through the waters of the Beagle Channel, makes this excursion an intimate and exclusive adventure. On board a zodiac, we sailed for an hour and a half along a narrow arm of the canal, until we reached the island of penguins. There we stop to observe and learn about them and the fauna of the Beagle in a wilderness environment.

40 minutes • Admission Included

The adventure starts from Puerto Almanza, a charming coastal town. Along the Beagle Channel, you can see marine production areas, with buoys dedicated to mussel cultivation, boats in full activity and traps for the centolla, known locally as 'red gold'. Following the iconic “Route of the Centolla”, we enter the village and walk along its only street, until we reach the dock where the boat awaits us. After the excursion, we headed to a local fisherman’s restaurant, where we enjoyed lunch with fresh produce from the region. Between talks and pleasant moments, we share our experiences before embarking on a return to the city.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Guided Penguin Watching Tour and Centolla Route

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

If you stay several days in Ushuaia, you have to make this excursion
mariaflorenciag629,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a super nice and welcoming excursion. Lucas, the guide, the whole tour was talking to us and told us about Ushuaia, the beavers, the scintillas and as my partner Enzo said he left us in evidence of how little we knew about geography hehe He made us walk on the peat, showed us a beaver and finally we arrived in the village of Almanza, with an incredible landscape and where he took us to eat the rest yatayten where we ate super rich! The golden clasp of the excursion is taken by penguins and sea lions, a sighting that is made in a small boat and allows you to see them super close.
Dream fulfilled watching penguins.
M253KWmariaa,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour is excellent, Javi and Santiago were stellar, our guide, Santiago, knows everything, literal everything, explains everything in detail, super punctual with the information. The restaurant was a surprise, delicious food served in a spectacular way, overall an unforgettable experience, super recommended. Thanks for everything.
Relaxed excursion to see the penguins
c sarmG5995KF,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful and quiet excursion to learn about the history of Ushuaia, take spectacular photos of the mountains, eat rich and see sea lions and the adorable penguins. The Santi guide of the best we have had for all the desire to explain and all the history I knew.
On the day we were to go...
Pe S,
Mar 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
On the day we were to go to see the penguins the winds were very strong. Those tours departing from the pier were cancelled as the winds were too strong in making navigation on Beagle Channel too choppy. However our navigation was from Puerto Almanza and we were able to proceed with the trip. At the town we were treated to a delicious local lunch. Sebastian was proficient in making the tour a memorable one for us.
Then we go penguin!
Suzanna B,
Feb 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing! It was a complete experience, we were able to see snow during summer time and we were given enough time to enojoy it! The food was delicious we were able to go to Isla Martillo see the penguins. It was nice to watch them from the boat, you get real close respecting their space and environment. The whole team were very kind from before the tour, by asking about food preferences, during the tour giving information and time to enjoy each and evey stop. Would really recommend if you want to see the penguins, best choice!