Don't miss out on this tour—the only one that lets you visit and walk on Martillo Island, home to one of the three Magellanic Penguin colonies and a colony of Gentoo Penguins. You’ll always be accompanied by experienced guides, who are the only ones authorized to lead tours on this island.
The group size is limited to just 20 people to ensure the protection of the animals and their natural habitat, making this an exclusive adventure!
This is one of the top penguin watching experiences in Argentina and perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts. Martillo Island truly serves as a sanctuary for these remarkable birds.
Tour Description
Our adventure begins at the Ushuaia tourist pier, where you will check in at our office.
We then board our bus and follow Route 3 for about 2 hours until we reach Harberton Ranch. Once there, we transfer to a covered semi-rigid boat for a 15-minute navigation to Martillo Island. Upon arrival, we disembark with a specialized guide and spend one hour on the island.
While walking along designated paths to avoid disturbing the penguins’ natural environment, you’ll observe more than 1,000 nests of the Magellanic species as well as around 9 nests of the Gentoo species, unique in South America. This location provides ideal conditions for penguins, with minimal predators, plentiful food sources, and sheltering vegetation and soil for nesting and breeding.
You will always be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will share insights about these fascinating seabirds and ensure compliance with the island’s code of conduct.
At this point, we use a semi-rigid zodiac boat to reach the island. After a 15-minute boat trip, we spend an hour exploring the Magellanic and Gentoo penguin colony together with our guide.
We conclude the excursion with a comfortable bus ride back to Ushuaia.
What’s included?
What’s included:
- Bus transfers from the pier to the Estancia and vice versa
- Disembarkation at Martillo Island (60 minutes)
- Specialized guide (Spanish/English)
What’s NOT included:
- Meals
- Transfer from accommodation to the port and vice versa
- Entrance to the Harberton ranch
- Port tax
Frequently Asked Questions
This excursion allows you to explore and walk on Martillo Island, located near Ushuaia, Argentina. The island is home to one of the three Magellanic penguin colonies and also a Gentoo penguin colony. During the experience, visitors are accompanied by expert guides, who are the only ones authorized to lead tours on this island. This is a particularly attractive option for those who enjoy birdwatching and want to discover a true natural sanctuary for these species. For information on schedules, duration, transfers, and other details, please refer to the tour information.
During this excursion in Ushuaia, you can visit one of the three Magellanic penguin colonies and a Gentoo penguin colony. Martillo Island serves as a sanctuary for these species, offering a unique opportunity for wildlife and birdwatching in their natural habitat. The tour includes a walk around the island accompanied by expert guides, who are the only ones authorized to lead tours there. The available information does not specify other animals or whether penguins can be seen year-round, so it's advisable to check for updated details before booking.
Yes. The experience is designed to keep the group size limited to just 20 people. This small group size helps protect the penguins and their natural environment, while also offering an exclusive excursion on Martillo Island. Participants will be accompanied by expert guides, who are the only ones authorized to lead tours on the island. The exact group size may be subject to operational conditions, so it is recommended to check the current tour information. It is also advisable to check there for details on availability, schedules, and included services.
The penguin walk on Martillo Island is especially recommended for those who enjoy birdwatching and being in nature. The activity offers the opportunity to explore a nature sanctuary and observe colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, always accompanied by expert, licensed guides. The available information does not specify age requirements, difficulty level, accessibility, or physical condition necessary to participate. For this reason, before booking, it is important to review the tour details and confirm whether the experience suits each traveler's needs.
This tour stands out because it offers the opportunity to walk on Martillo Island, home to one of the three Magellanic penguin colonies and a Gentoo penguin colony. According to available information, it is the only experience that allows visitors to explore and walk on this island, always accompanied by expert guides who are the only ones authorized to lead tours there. Furthermore, the group size is limited to just 20 people to protect the animals and their natural environment, ensuring an exclusive penguin-watching experience in Argentina. It is recommended to contact the tour organizers for complete operational details.
PRICES 2026-2027
Walk With Penguins On Martillo Island
Round-trip Bus Transfers
- Start Time: 02:30
- Languages: ESP,ENG
- Duration: 7 hrs
- Operation Days: Every day
Price per person based on a booking for 2 people. Prices may vary depending on the date and number of travelers.
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Walking With Penguins On Martillo Island
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