Ushuaia: Martillo Island and Walk Among Penguins Full-Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Boat Departure: 10:30 AM | Return to Ushuaia by bus: between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM
Bus Departure: 8:30 AM | Return to Ushuaia by boat: between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM
Bird Island (Isla de los Pájaros)
We will visit this emblematic island in the Beagle Channel, known for its remarkable variety of bird species and natural beauty.
Sea Lion Island (Isla de los Lobos)
We will continue to Sea Lion Island, where you can observe sea lion colonies up close in their natural habitat.
Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse
We will navigate to the famous Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, one of Ushuaia’s most iconic landmarks.
Martillo Island
One of the most anticipated moments of the tour: the walk among the penguins on Martillo Island.
For one hour, we will walk through the colony accompanied by a specialized guide, respectfully and safely sharing space with Magellanic and Gentoo penguins.
This is not about observing them from a distance — it's about walking among them as they naturally go about their daily routines in their habitat.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Lunch not included
Recommendations: - It is recommended to wear a hat, scarf, waterproof jacket, trekking shoes, gloves, and sunglasses.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: For tours that coincide with the opening hours of Estancia Harberton, the entrance fee must be paid without exception. Price to be confirmed. The Estancia is closed on Tuesdays.
Due to the limited availability of this tour for the following reasons: Penguins are very sensitive to human contact, so they can only be visited by a few people per day. There is only one penguin colony in Ushuaia. This tour is the most exclusive and sought-after in South America; therefore, we ask for your patience regarding visit confirmations.
This tour has very limited availability, and we will confirm availability upon receiving your reservation.
This tour will be confirmed once the agency submits the passenger’s request to the penguin reserve. For this reason, please do not consider the reservation confirmed until you receive confirmation from Azul Latina through this channel.
The published times are ESTIMATED. The final confirmed schedule will be sent to you along with the itinerary once your reservation is confirmed by Azul Latina. Please wait for the detailed itinerary, which you will receive through this platform.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WITH REDUCED MOBILITY OR PREGNANT WOMEN
The available departure times for this tour will be 8:30 AM or 10:30 AM. We will send you your scheduled time along with the itinerary based on availability at the moment we receive your reservation.
The tour may last up to a maximum of 8 hours, depending on the day’s itinerary.
If your itinerary states a departure at 8:30 AM, the return time will be between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM. If your itinerary states a departure at 10:30 AM, the return time will be between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
IMPORTANT: Please arrive at the Ushuaia Tourist Dock at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Boat navigation through the Beagle Channel to Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, and the iconic Lighthouse.
Crossing by semi-rigid inflatable boats to Isla Martillo (approximately 15 minutes of navigation)
Schedules may vary depending on availability at the time we receive your reservation.
IMPORTANT: Please disregard the time printed on this voucher as it will be confirmed later.
Return to the Tourist Dock.
One-hour walk among Gentoo and Magellanic penguins.
Visit to the Estancia Museum: Only if the estancia is open on the day of the tour.
Visit to Bird Island and Sea Lion Island.
The check-in time MUST be confirmed by the agency.
Transfer from the Tourist Dock to begin the tour
Transfers to hotels are not included; passengers must arrive at the tourist pier on their own.
In case the visit to Estancia Harberton is possible, the entrance fee must be paid
Almuerzo: Lunch Desayuno: Breakfast Comidas: Meals (or simply Food)
Rate Harberton Stay payable per person: 45,000 (subject to change without notice)
Port fee NOT included: ARS 4,000.00 per person
What To Expect
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city in Argentina, located in the Ushuaia department and serving as the capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands. It was founded on October 12, 1884, by Augusto Lasserre as Fort Ushuaia, established on the site of the former mission of Thomas Bridges.
Canal Beagle
We will arrive at the area where our boat is located and then sail for approximately 20 minutes in a semi-rigid boat to the island, where we will walk alongside Magellanic and Gentoo penguins for 1 hour with a specialized guide who will provide us with information about the lives of these fantastic animals.
Options
Season 2025/2026
Reviews
41 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The boat ride through the...
Marie C,
Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The boat ride through the channel was fabulous...saw lots of sea lions, cormorants and other sea birds...but the piece de resistance was seeing the penguins at Martillo. You are so close to them...it's like being in the Galapagos. We saw Magellan & gentou penguins...saw them building their nests, sitting on their eggs, coming in and out of their nests and even saw a new mom with her young chick. Great experience. The inflatable boat was a very large, covered zodiac holding 20 people so much more stable than I expected. The only disappointment with the tour was the Estancia...definitely not worth the time or money.
I am glad I made the 1000km road trip for this tour, it was like magic.
752mikeyl,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Easy to book and i did this very early as I planned an entire road trip through Tierra del Fuego from Punta Arenas for this very tour. While visiting family in Santiago Guides are great it is well organised the Catermeran was well equipped and clean. Having a limited number makes it really quite special means the vessel isn’t over crowded. The research station visit was fascinating though it does have a distinct odour given they work with skeletons etc. still so good and so interesting while the other group visits the penguins. The hour on Martello Island was magical i am not sure if it was peak penguins but to get so close is something i will never forget, OMG Penguins so close you could touch them (do not though it is not permitted they are wild animals). We broke really lucky the rain stopped for the hour we were on the island. The Cormorant and Sea-lion colonies didn’t disappoint either and sailing out of Ushuaia was breathtaking. The city on the shore below forest and snow covered peaks of the Martial Mountains covered in snow. Worth every penny and if I ever get the chance I would do it all again in a heartbeat Piratour know how to run a good day excursion.
All right.
MARC F,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Things to do in Ushuaia. We were able to benefit from a Beagle channel flat as a mirror. It would have been even better if the visit of the penguins on the Martillo Islet had been possible in SILENCE (same for the guides)
Fun and well structured tour.
Mau P,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The overall plan was great, a fun and fantastic crew. I would recommend to spend less time at the museum; the speech was long and kinda boring. The museum trip could be optional and you may have an option to walk around Harberton and get to know the place closer. The ride back in the boat was joyful and well structured.
A unique experience that comes at a price.
petrusjv,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Walking among the penguins is truly a unique experience and the guide was knowledgeable and friendly. For a day trip having some refreshments included in the already steep price would have been nice. Keep in mind this is not the final prices as harbor fees and entrance fees (almost another 100 USD for the 2 of us) needs to be added! The fact that the price for the entrance to Est. Haberton was increased was an additional surprise. Good excursion yet pricey.
Amazing tour. Started...
Janine P,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour. Started about on time. Guides were nice and friendly. The boat ride was amazing. It was nice to see the views from the top of the boat. The boat had a little food area and the empanada and hot chocolate were good. They even have wine. The actual penguin experience is one of a kind. That one hour was enough time to take pics and enjoy the view. The last part which was the land tour was a bit rough because we spent maybe 15-20 minutes listening to the history standing up and under the sun. Maybe have some benches or shade pls. And didnt have enough time to check out the cafe. Overall still an amazing trip.
Literally walking among Penguins!! A dream come true experience!!!
Priyanka G,
Apr 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I walked with the Penguins! Literally! It was a dream come true for me. Though Gentoos were only available to watch from afar (though we cought 1 Gentoo off-guard when it was returning to it's group from the sea, and it crossed our path right within a 1 foot distance!), their sighting itself without spending the crazy money on an Antarctica cruise was a big deal. Only advice - if I could booked the same tour with Piratour directly (they are the only company with permission to land on Martillo Island) I could have saved a good 120 dollars!!! Don't know if my review will be blocked for saying this, but that's a hell of a commission, Viator!
Walking with penguin
YOON K,
Dec 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Seeing penguins in their natural habitat close and personal was an experience of a lifetime. Loved it. Gabriel, the guide, was very informative and helpful.
Up-close with two penguin species
prutchi,
Nov 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting trip to Isla Martillo to walk among two penguin species (Magellanic and Gentoo). You really get close to them and have to be careful not to disturb them. Good service at the cafeteria in estancia Haberton and interesting visit to the marine mammal museum. Guides could do with better English though for those who don’t speak Spanish
Marvelous
266mariaceciliam,
Mar 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The visit to Hammer Island is wonderful if you go inside and see the reserve and the wolves It is a guided tour that I believe is only done by a local company entering through the Haberton ranch. Then visit reserve with oceanographic museum A marvel, the best walk ever
From US$363.00
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