“Excellent tour. Comfortable seats on the ship. The staff were very kind. Great views throughout.”
Shane · Ireland
Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island
On GetYourGuide as “Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island”
- ≈80 km of channel to Martillofrom Tolkeyen Patagonia office (blue house), tourist pier
- 9 am · 3 pmdepartures in season
- 5.5 hin all
- No landing — the colony is watched from the deck
Quick answer
The most-reviewed penguin catamaran in Ushuaia sails 5.5 hours from the tourist pier to Martillo Island and back, watching the penguins from the boat. It costs $115, a price that held at booking.
- ★4.5 from 553 reviews, the most of any penguin catamaran on GetYourGuide.
- 5.5 hours, with a morning 9:00 am or afternoon 3:00 pm sailing.
- No landing — the Magellanic and Gentoo colony is watched from the boat.
- $115 for both options at booking, the same as the advertised price.
- Full refund or a new date if weather, a port closure or a missed Martillo visit cuts the trip.
- Leaves from the Ushuaia tourist pier, so there is no road transfer.
Source: GetYourGuide listing and booking page · Oct 2026
Every penguin tour price comparedCatamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Fast Facts
Source: GetYourGuide listings · Oct 2026
A 5.5-hour catamaran loop from the tourist pier that watches the Martillo colony from the water.
- Duration5.5 hours
- Start times9:00 am or 3:00 pm (both options); check in 30 minutes before
- Meeting pointTolkeyen Patagonia office, the blue house at the tourist pier
- Landing on Martillo IslandNo, penguins are watched from the boat
- Boat typeCatamaran; the operator says the vessel type may vary
- Guide languageLive guide in English
- CancellationFree up to 24 hours before
- Rating★4.5 (553 reviews)
What Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Includes
Source: GetYourGuide listing · Oct 2026 · nomades.com
The ticket covers the sail and a live guide; plan for your own food and a possible port fee.
- Catamaran trip on the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island
- Live guide
- Full refund or a new date if weather, a port closure or a missed Martillo or lighthouse visit cuts the trip
- A landing on Martillo Island
Not allowed on board: pets and drones. Food and drinks and a transfer to the port appear in the listing's inclusions without a clear included or excluded mark; one reviewer describes buying coffee on board. The listing does not mention port taxes, and one source reports a cash port fee of ARS 10,400 at one catamaran operator, so carry some pesos.
Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Route and Timeline
Source: GetYourGuide listing · Oct 2026
The trip follows the Beagle Channel east past three wildlife stops to Martillo Island, then returns along the coast to the pier.
The day5.5 h in all
- 30 minutes before departureStart
Check in at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office at the tourist pier
- 9:00 am or 3:00 pmOn the water
Sail out with views of the city, the Maritime Museum, Mount Olivia and Mount Cinco Hermanos
- Sea Lion IslandOn the water
Sea lions interacting on the island
- Bird IslandOn the water
Magellanic and imperial cormorants
- Les Eclaireurs LighthouseOn the water
Where the Monte Cervantes sank in 1930
- On the waterOn the water
South coast of Tierra del Fuego — Estancia Remolino, where the Monte Sarmiento ran aground
- Across the channelOn the water
Gable Island and the Puerto Williams naval base on Navarino Island, Chile
- Martillo IslandAt Martillo
The boat follows the shore while you watch the Magellanic and Gentoo colony from a distance
- On the waterOn the water
Back to the pier past Estancia Túnel
- 1Meeting point Tolkeyen Patagonia office (blue house), tourist pier
- 2Tourist pier boarding
- 3Isla Martillo seen from the boat
© OpenStreetMap contributorsOpen in maps
The captain can change the order of stops for weather, wildlife or conditions, and one autumn reviewer says the captain's change of order made the tour perfect.
Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Options and Prices
Source: GetYourGuide booking page · Oct 2026
Both sailings cost the same, so pick by time of day: morning for a free afternoon, afternoon for a late arrival.
Option · guide · cancellationStartsBooking price
Morning Catamaran Trip
English guide · cancellation: free until 24 h before9:00 am$115for 1 adult
English guide · cancellation: free until 24 h before9:00 am$115for 1 adult
Afternoon Catamaran Trip
English guide · cancellation: free until 24 h before3:00 pm$115for 1 adult
English guide · cancellation: free until 24 h before3:00 pm$115for 1 adult
Check Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Dates
Check your date, then reserve now and pay later — free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Reviews
4.5553 reviews
on GetYourGuide
on GetYourGuide
Source: GetYourGuide rating breakdown and reviews · Oct 2026
“We got plenty of time to view the penguins and sea lions.”
Tom · United Kingdom
“They changed the date for us due to a weather forecast of strong winds.”
Paula
Reviewers praise the punctual crew, the live guide and the time at each stop; the risk they mention is wind and changeable weather.
What reviewers praise
- Comfortable seats and kind staff.
- A punctual service and a live guide explaining the whole way.
- Plenty of time to watch the penguins and sea lions and take photos.
- Good-value coffee on board.
What reviewers criticize
- WeatherOne booking was moved to another date because of a strong-wind forecast.
- Late seasonIn early April a reviewer felt lucky to still see penguins.
- Changeable autumn weather made the captain change the order of stops.
All six sampled reviews are 5-star, so the sample shows little criticism. If you want to get closer than a catamaran allows, a small boat from Puerto Almanza approaches the colony.
Who Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island Suits
Source: GetYourGuide listings · Oct 2026
Book it for a well-reviewed, fairly priced first look at the colony; choose something else if you need to land or want the lowest price.
Book it if
- You want the most-reviewed penguin catamaran, 553 reviews at ★4.5.
- You want a weather guarantee: a refund or a new date if Martillo or the lighthouse is missed.
- You need a morning or an afternoon slot at the same $115 price.
- You have only a Tuesday free: the catamaran sails from the pier and does not pass through Estancia Harberton, which closes on Tuesdays
Book something else if
- You want to walk among the penguinsOnly walking tours land on MartilloWalking tours on Martillo Island
- You want the lowest priceOne catamaran is listed from $110The cheapest catamaran
- You want port taxes included in the priceThe Canoero catamaran
- You want a small group close to the colonyThe small-boat trip
Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island vs Alternatives
Source: GetYourGuide listings · Oct 2026
The three big catamarans sail the same route for $110–115 on the listing; this one has the most reviews and a stated weather refund.
This tour and the alternatives
5 toursUshuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin IslandFirst-timers who want the most-reviewed sailing · 5.5 h
9 am · 3 pm
From the boat
$115per person
Landing
No, from the boat
The Canoero catamaranTravelers who want port taxes included · 5 h
9 am · 3 pm
From the boat
$115per person
Landing
No, from the boat
Listing price
From $115, but $230 booked for 1 adult when we checked
The cheapest catamaranTight budgets; you make your own way to the pier · 5 h
9 am · 3 pm
From the boat
$110per person
Landing
No, from the boat
The full-day walkTravelers who must walk among the penguins and can commit to a fixed date · 10 h
1 h on the island
Day runs 8 am - 9 pm
Walk on the island
$530per person
Landing
Yes, a 1-hour walk on Martillo Island
Hours
About 10, back in town 9:30–9:45 pm
Listing price
From $530, non-refundable
The small-boat tripSmall-group fans who want to get closer from the water · 100 min
2 pm
From the boat
$135per person
Landing
No, from a small boat close to the colony
Hours
Listed as 100 minutes, but the itinerary adds about 1.5 hours by van each way
Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island FAQ
Is catamaran sailing to Penguin Island worth it?
Yes, for most first-time visitors: $115 buys 5.5 hours on the Beagle Channel, sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Martillo colony, with a refund if weather cuts the trip. It is not worth it if you need to stand among the penguins, because the boat does not land. Book the classic catamaran.
Do you land on Penguin Island on the catamaran?
No, the catamaran follows the shore of Martillo Island and you watch the colony from a distance. Only one operator, Piratour, is authorized to land and walk on the island, and those walks reach it by road and a 15-minute speedboat crossing. Walking tours on Martillo Island.
Which penguins do you see when sailing to Penguin Island?
The listing names Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, which nest on Martillo Island in summer. Magellanic penguins are the most numerous and are present from about October to March, while Gentoo penguins stay year-round. One reviewer still saw penguins in early April, at the end of the season. Month-by-month penguin guide.
How long is the catamaran sailing to Penguin Island?
The trip lasts 5.5 hours from the tourist pier and back. It sails at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, and you check in 30 minutes before at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office. The listing does not state how long the boat stays at the colony. See both departure times.
What happens if the weather cancels catamaran sailing to Penguin Island?
You can request a full refund if the sailing is canceled for adverse weather or a port closure, or if the Martillo or lighthouse visit cannot be completed. Subject to availability, you can instead move to another date. Separately, free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before the start. Book with the weather refund.
Morning or afternoon catamaran to Penguin Island?
Both cost $115 at booking and follow the same route, so the choice is about your day. The 9:00 am sailing leaves the afternoon free; the 3:00 pm sailing suits a late arrival. The listing notes that weather can change times and the order of stops.
What should I bring for catamaran sailing to Penguin Island?
The listing recommends comfortable shoes, warm and outdoor clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen. Pets and drones are not allowed. Bring some pesos for coffee or snacks on board and for a possible cash port fee, which one source reports at one catamaran operator. Check the full listing.
Is catamaran sailing to Penguin Island good for a cruise day?
It can fit: the trip starts at the tourist pier, lasts 5.5 hours and runs at 9:00 am or 3:00 pm. Weather can delay or cancel sailings, so check that your ship's all-aboard time leaves a margin after the return. Every boat tour compared.
Book Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island
The classic catamaran is the safe first pick at $115 — check your date in the widget. Listing price from $115 per person (Oct 2026).
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, per the listing.