Beagle Channel by Catamaran: Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse & Magellan Penguin Rookery
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Port
Ushuaia, Argentina
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$109.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Depart from Ushuaia’s pier by catamaran for a scenic cruise past Lapataia Bay toward the southeast. You’re headed along the Beagle Channel, passing its numerous islands, landscapes, birds and marine mammals. On a clear day, the backdrop is the snow-capped mountains to the north and Albert Agostini National Park to the southwest, with a glimpse of Puerto Williams to the south.
Along the way, you will see Isla de los Pajaros, inhabited by a colony of Imperial cormorants, and Isla de los Lobos, where two species of sea lion lollygag about on windswept rocks.
You will pass through the Les Eclaireurs archipelago and see the lighthouse bearing the same name.
Further east, at Hammer Island, you’ll spend 30 minutes just offshore observing (from the boat) a very large, healthy colony of clumsy, playful Magellan penguins smartly dressed in their gray-and-white plumage.
A snack is included on the catamaran.
Notes:
Amount of walking required varies as it depends on where the catamaran is docked; however, it can be as far as a half mile each direction. Terrain includes a marine ramp from the pier to the boat, which can be very steep at low tide. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Dress warmly in layers with a windproof and waterproof outer layer; bring a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. Tour operates rain or shine but may be canceled by the operator in the event of extremely bad weather or unsuitable conditions. You will not go ashore at the penguin colony; the skipper maneuvers close to the shoreline, and you view the penguins from the boat. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. The boat trip is 2.5 hours each way, and the penguin viewing is approximately 30 minutes.