Argentina · PENGUIN COLONY TOURS
Martillo Island is the only place in Argentina where a licensed group walks among the colony, and the permits are limited. These 15 compare the catamaran-only trips with the landings, with prices, seasons and how long you get ashore.
Review of Ushuaia’s 5-hour catamaran to Martillo Island, with penguins, sea lions, seabirds, lighthouse views, and practical booking tips.
“Fantastic all around. Lots of opportunity to see the penguins and sea lions. The boats stayed longer than other boats that came and went. Would highly recommend!”
Sail from Ushuaia through Beagle Channel to sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and penguins on Martillo Island.
“We achieved the goal of seen penguins and sea lions. The guide provided very good information, perhaps can give more info throughout the trip.”
Cruise the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia to Martillo Island for penguins, sea lions, birds, mountain views, and possible whale sightings.
“the activity was great, we saw everything listed on the brochure and even a whale. there was a lot of people on this tour the guide were speaking in. Spanish and English which was great however there weren't any speaker at the front of the boat so we couldn't hear anything when we were outside”
Review of Ushuaia’s Beagle Channel catamaran tour to Isla Martillo, with penguins, sea lions, lighthouse views, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“Nice experience! One of the must do things if you find yourself all the way to the end of the world. Great crew and well organized. Made sure that all visitors had a great time during the excursion”
See Martillo Island penguins, sea lions, cormorants, and Beagle Channel scenery on a five-hour Ushuaia catamaran tour.
“I enjoyed the tour as I got to see the penguins and sea-lions, we even had the luck to see some whales during the tour. However, I felt very disappointed as we actually don't go on the Isla Martillo itself. The boat is big, with close to 150 people on board. This isn't specified in the details of the tour, and I find it especially misleading since in the inclusion of the price it says "entry/admission to Isla Martillo". To me, that meant we get off the boat, and it is again reinforced by pictures of people on the island in the reservation booth in Ushuaïa. More info would be…”
See penguins on Martillo Island and sail the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia, with sea lions, birdlife, mountain views, and a full-day adventure.
“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 🗻🏔️⛰️”
Sail from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel to sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island penguins.
“Good for seeing lots of sea bird life, but a long, uneventful boat ride. Est Harberton is interesting, particularly the marine mammal museum, which is very impressive.”
Walk among Magellanic and Gentoo penguins near Ushuaia, with boat travel, expert guides, and practical tips on cost, weather, and timing.
“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!”
Review of Ushuaia’s 5-hour catamaran to Martillo Island, with penguins, sea lions, cormorants, Beagle Channel views, price, and practical tips.
“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”
Review of Punta Tombo from Puerto Madryn, with penguins, transport, costs, timing, optional stops, and practical booking advice.
“Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. Our guide Max was excellent, very knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The driver was also great, very professional. Seeing penguins and elephant seals in their natural habitat was a lot of fun and definitely the highlight of the tour. The only downside is that prices for this type of activity are generally high, which is not specific to this tour.”
Review of the Punta Tombo penguin tour from Puerto Madryn, with costs, timing, wildlife, transport, practical tips, and booking advice.
“You can't miss it! You learn and enjoy a lot. Penguins are beautiful and elephant seals are awesome!Auto-translated”
Walk among Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island, cruise the Beagle Channel, and see Ushuaia’s famous wildlife in one long day.
“Our guides were wonderful. Fabriseio was very knowledgeable about many natural history topics as well as penguins and it t was great to talk with him about the natural history. He was very protective of the dear little penguins and it’s obvious he lives what he does I would recommend this trip.”
Follow Tierra del Fuego’s crab route from Ushuaia to Puerto Almanza, then sail close to Magellanic and Gentoo penguins with lunch included.
“This was a fantastic trip! Only 4 participants, and as two of us spoke English, there was a second guide, who spoke English perfectly and gave us so much information, as well as being enthusiastic about discussing the social history of the region. I learned so much from him! The meal at the little restaurant was excellent, as was the wine, and the trip out to see the penguins was fantastic! A really smooth boat ride, and so many penguins!! The lady who worked on the boat explained the breeding cycle of the penguins to us, and although it wasn’t a ‘walk with the penguins’ the boat pulled up onto…”
Review of Puerto Madryn’s 10-hour Península Valdés penguin tour, with Magellanic penguins, sea lions, ranch lunch, wildlife, and practical tips.
“Small group, only 4 of us. walking with the penguins was amazing, you are literally amongst them. Definitely recommend this trip.”
Review of Punta Tombo from Puerto Madryn, with penguins, Patagonian scenery, optional Toninas boat trip, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“The guide was very nice. But it’s not worth taking a tour, better just find a way to get to Punta Tombo as you basically just walk in the reserve by yourself. They take you to a tea house after, note that you can just not go and go for a walk as it’s the experience is so-so. 8k for tea + a (very very big) spread of butter toast, cakes and scones.”
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