Ushuaia Penguin Boat Tour

No — every boat tour watches the penguins from the water, and only one operator, Piratour, is authorized to land and walk on Martillo Island. Catamarans pass along the island's shore, while small boats and zodiacs come within a few meters, and one 8-seat boat touches its bow on the island shore. If you want to stand among the colony, you need a walking tour, booked weeks ahead in peak season. Walking tours on Martillo Island.

The cheapest catamaran costs from $110, as advertised on GetYourGuide on Oct 2026, for about 5 hours from the tourist pier. The most-booked catamarans cost $115. The cheapest small boat starts at about $124 but has no reviews yet. Prices are advertised "from" levels and can change by date and option. Book the cheapest catamaran.

Catamaran tours take 5–6 hours from the tourist pier, with about 4.5 hours of sailing. Small-boat and zodiac tours take 4–6 hours on most listings, including about 1.5 hours by road each way to Puerto Almanza. Tours with a meal take 6–7.5 hours, and the two combos take 9 and 11 hours. See the classic catamaran schedule.

Small boats from Puerto Almanza get closest. The 8-seat semi-rigid boat touches its bow on the island shore at several points, and the zodiac tours spend 30–40 minutes in front of the colony, where penguins often swim around the boat. Catamarans keep more distance, and GetYourGuide review summaries mention crowding at the viewing points. Book the 8-seat boat.

You might: two of the most-booked catamarans list people prone to seasickness as not suitable, and the two-boat day says the same about motion sickness. One operator warns that the Beagle Channel wind is very cold even in summer. If you are sensitive, choose a shorter time on the water — the small boats from Puerto Almanza spend 30–40 minutes at the colony after a road transfer. See the small-boat trip.

Yes, Gentoo penguins live on Martillo Island year-round, while Magellanic penguins are present from October to March, according to one small-boat operator. One catamaran lists its trip as available year-round. The number of penguins varies by month, and a winter trip misses the Magellanic penguins, the most numerous species on the island. Month-by-month penguin guide.

It depends on the tour. The cheapest catamaran has no transport to the pier, and the zodiac with coffee and the yacht and zodiac day meet at the tourist pier without hotel transfers. All five Puerto Almanza food tours list pick-up in Ushuaia, and two send the exact time the day before. The small-boat trip uses a fixed meeting point in town. Book the crab-route lunch with pick-up.

Every boat listing that states a weather policy offers a refund. The classic catamaran offers a full refund or a new date if bad weather, a port closure or a missed Martillo visit cuts the trip. The crab-route lunch reschedules or refunds 100%, and the afternoon tapas tour refunds the booking. Most listings also allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book the classic catamaran.

One catamaran lists itself as wheelchair and stroller accessible, with infant seats available and up to 100 travelers. For bookings with minors, it asks for a passport or ID photo to apply child discounts. Several small boats list reduced mobility as not suitable, and the canoe and Gable Island day does not allow children under 5 in the canoe. Book the accessible catamaran.

Bring some pesos. One catamaran operator charges a port fee in cash, ARS 10,400 according to one source, while the Canoero catamaran includes port taxes in the price. Food and drinks on the catamarans are sold on board. Every boat and walking price compared.