The Penguin Navigation to Isla Martillo is one of the most fascinating tours to undertake from the city of Ushuaia. It is a comprehensive activity to observe the main natural attractions of the Beagle Channel. We will also have the exclusive opportunity to observe the penguin colony in the Isla Martillo natural reserve, belonging to the Harberton Estate.
At the beginning, we set sail from the local tourist dock, navigating the wide Bay of Ushuaia until reaching the Beagle Channel through Paso Chico. First, we will sail around Bird Island, where we will appreciate Tierra del Fuego’s birdlife, observing Skuas, Black-browed Albatrosses, Steam Ducks, Upland Geese, Kelp Gulls, and Dolphin Gulls. We will also visit Sea Lions Island, where we can observe one and two-haired sea lions.
Next, we will reach the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (The Illuminators). There, we will appreciate the colonies of Imperial Cormorants and Rock Cormorants and also hear the story of the sinking of the SS Monte Cervantes, which occurred in 1930.
After finishing the sighting of the end of the world’s lighthouse we will sail eastward, enjoying the marvelous landscapes of the channel and the surrounding mountains. Additionally, we will spot Puerto Almanza, located on the Argentine coast, and Puerto Williams on the Chilean coast.
Finally, we will arrive at Isla Martillo, part of the Harberton Estate and home to Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). The colony has approximately 1000 nests and is one of the three Magellanic penguin colonies in Tierra del Fuego. There is also a smaller colony of 16 pairs of Papua penguins (with red beaks – Pygoscellis Papua), unique in South America.
To conclude the tour, we will turn to return to Ushuaia, sailing near the North coast of the Channel, appreciating the characteristic flora, and spotting some historical sites such as Estancia Túnel and Estancia Remolino, where the semi-sunken hull of the Steamship Monte Sarmiento has been located since 1912.
It is a journey of great historical and scenic value, visiting privileged and interesting points throughout the entire trip, which you can discover by sailing the waters of the Beagle Channel.
