Puerto Almanza & Martillo Island: A Unique Penguin Encounter

5.0 (2 reviews) 6 h 10 min

out of 5

2 reviews

5.0

Puerto Almanza & Martillo Island: A Unique Penguin Encounter — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Puerto Almanza & Martillo Island: A Unique Penguin Encounter, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

An unforgettable journey from Ushuaia to Puerto Almanza, traveling along scenic Route 3 As we make our way through Tierra del Fuego, you’ll enjoy breathtaking landscapes of mountains, native forests, rivers, and the surroundings of the Beagle Channel.

Once in Puerto Almanza, we’ll board a boat and navigate the Beagle Channel toward the famous Martillo Island.

The highlight of the experience is the opportunity to observe these beautiful animals from the boat, without landing on the island. During approximately 40 minutes of wildlife viewing, the penguins can often approach the boat and swim around it, sometimes coming remarkably close. This creates a truly special opportunity to observe their natural behavior, take beautiful photographs, and enjoy an intimate encounter with the colony in its natural habitat.

After the penguin viewing, we’ll return by boat to Puerto Almanza, where you’ll have a moment to relax and enjoy a coffee and alfajor before traveling back to Ushuaia by bus.

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At a glance

Duration: 6 h 10 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 22 people
People per booking: 1–22
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Azul Latina Travel

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Do not consider the time on the default voucher; the actual time will be confirmed by the agency
Included: English and Spanish speaking professional guides
Included: Snack: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate , also homemade croissant
Included: Transportation: Round-trip by bus from the tourist dock to Puerto Almanza
Included: Boat tour for penguin watching, 40 minutes in front of Martillo Island

Not included

Not included: No pick-up from the hotel.
Not included: Visitors cannot disembark on the island; penguin watching will be from the boat

Itinerary

Canal Beagle

30 min

From this delightful port, we’ll board a custom semi-rigid boat with a capacity for 22 passengers. We’ll sail for 30 minutes through the serene waters of the Beagle Channel, heading toward the famous Martillo Island. This magical place is home to a colony of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, offering an unforgettable experience.
Ushuaia

5 hours

Aboard our comfortable buses, we’ll head north along the iconic National Route N°3. Along the way, we’ll take a short break to delve into the rich history of the region before continuing on the picturesque Provincial Route "J." Our destination: Puerto Almanza, a charming fishing village located 70 km from Ushuaia.
Martillo Island

40 min Admission not included

We’ll enjoy 40 minutes of observation from the boat, getting close enough to admire their behavior in their natural habitat—a moment that will leave a lasting impression. Afterward, we’ll return to Puerto Almanza, where you can relax and recharge before heading back to Ushuaia.
Ushuaia Cruise Port

Passing by

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please be advised that the default time published for this tour is 2:30 PM. However, depending on availability at the time of your booking, you will be sent the specific tour time. Availability may vary between the following time slots: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM. Please note that the meeting time at the pier is always 30 minutes prior to the tour departure. Thank you for your understanding

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Passengers must present themselves at the tourist pier in Ushuaia.

End point

Passengers must present themselves at the tourist pier in Ushuaia.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Visitors cannot disembark on the island; penguin watching will be from the boat
Appropriate clothing: Thermal clothing, waterproof jacket + fleece, hiking shoes, gloves, warm hat, and sunglasses. An extra pair of socks
Meeting point: Ushuaia Tourist Dock.
Passengers must arrive 30 minutes before the bus departure time. It is important to wait for the itinerary that will be sent by the agency upon receiving your reservation. This will allow us to confirm the available departure time.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please be advised that the default time published for this tour is 2:30 PM. However, depending on availability at the time of your booking, you will be sent the specific tour time. Availability may vary between the following time slots: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM. Please note that the meeting time at the pier is always 30 minutes prior to the tour departure. Thank you for your understanding.
Please be advised that in order to book this tour, you must have the entire day available, as we will not know the available departure time until we receive your reservation. The specific departure time will be provided in the confirmation of your booking, once you receive the itinerary from the agency.
From March to October, Magellanic penguins migrate, and only Papuas Penguins remain on the island. They are incredibly beautiful creatures and can be distinguished from Magellanic penguins as the Papuas Penguin is larger, with a red-orange beak and a white band across the top of its head, while the Magellanic penguin has a double black band on its chest and a darker, more classic appearance.
The departure may be scheduled either in the morning or in the afternoon. Please note that even if you select a specific time when making your booking, the final departure time will be confirmed based on availability at the time we receive your booking. For this reason, please wait for the agency’s confirmation before assuming the exact departure time of your service.