Penguins in Ushuaia: how to see them and which tour to choose

Quick answer: Tours to the Martillo Island penguin colony last between 4 h 30 min and 11 hours according to the partner. The main difference is whether they include landing, food or extra activities. The king penguin reserve is a separate, longer tour.

Updated November 4, 2026.

Comparison of tours

Tour	Duration (partner)	Reference price
Martillo Island penguins by boat	4 h 30 min	ARS $ 208,717 (≈ US$ 134)
Puerto Almanza + Martillo Island penguins	5 h 30 min	ARS $ 235,275 (≈ US$ 151)
King Crab Route + Martillo Island penguins	7 hours	ARS $ 361,218 (≈ US$ 232)
Walk among penguins on Martillo Island	8 hours	ARS $ 823,803 (≈ US$ 530)
Gable Island and Martillo Island penguins + Beagle Channel canoeing	10 to 11 hours	ARS $ 575,109 (≈ US$ 370)
King penguin reserve	12 hours	ARS $ 1,088,044 (≈ US$ 700)

Reference prices per person, converted from reais at the 30/10/2026 exchange rate (1 BRL = 286 ARS = 0.184 USD) and collected from partner pages in November 2026. The final price is the one the partner shows at checkout.

How to choose?

Short on time: the 4 h 30 min boat trip is the shortest option on the list.
More time with the penguins: the option with a walk on the island describes an hour walking among penguins, according to the partner.
With regional food: those departing from Puerto Almanza include a stop in the fishing village; the Ruta de la Centolla adds king crab.
King penguins: a different species and a different destination; it takes a full day.

The conditions of each departure (landing, minimum age, season) are set by the partner: read them before booking.

Quick questions

Can you walk among the penguins?

One tour on our list has a partner that describes a one-hour walk among penguins on Martillo Island. The others sail near the colony; check each description.