Between southern Chile and Argentina sits a narrow strait called the Beagle Channel. It is only 3.1 miles wide and around 150 miles long, and a popular day trip via catamaran. Among the highlights of the trip is the opportunity to see some of the ocean wildlife.
This type of tour should be at the top of your list when looking for amazingly unique Argentina day trip experiences. Especially if you want to discover Ushuaia in all its natural beauty. Continue reading to compare tours so you can pick the experience you’ve been waiting for.
Highlights:
- Incredible natural sights
- The Lighthouse at the End of the World (Faro del fin del Mundo)
- See and possibly walk among a Magellanic penguin colony, sea lions, and other wildlife
- Tour Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Lobos
Know before you book:
- Park fees may apply for visits to the national park
- It gets incredibly cold
- Port fees may apply, but are not too costly
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Beagle Channel Boat Tour Ushuaia Price 2026
The Beagle Channel catamaran tour prices vary widely but are surprisingly affordable, given the experience’s uniqueness. Prices start at $80 USD ($115,420 ARS) and can reach $210 USD ($302,970 ARS) or more, depending on the level of luxury, boat costs, guide fees, etc.
Compare Beagle Channel tour in Ushuaia costs across the ticket providers below:
Times for Ushuaia Beagle Channel Tours
With many operators running the cruises and tour options, duration times can vary. The best advice is to check with a tour operator for their specific times. More than likely, departure times will also vary depending on the season you sail, as the trip is best experienced during the day. Most cruises last at least 3–4 hours.
Best Time to Go on Ushuaia Boat Tours and Visit Beagle Channel
It’s pretty reasonable to suggest that the southern hemisphere summertime (December to March) is the best time to visit Argentina. It’s also a great time for a Beagle Channel cruise, as winters can be severely cold. That said, some Ushuaia and Beagle Channel tours run year-round, but even in summer, you should expect to see some snow, though it may be minimal.
More About The Beagle Channel
The Beagle Channel features a small population center known as Ushuaia. This is, by most agreed accounts, the southernmost city on Earth, so, at the very least, that’s another tick off the bucket list for intrepid travelers.
The channel is named after the ship HMS Beagle, which conducted the first hydrographic survey of the region’s coastline. Robert FitzRoy, the future second governor of New Zealand, captained the boat alongside Charles Darwin.
Side note: You may want to choose your words carefully around the topic of what’s the southernmost city in the world when in the Chilean city of Puerto Williams, but that’s probably a discussion for another time.
Ushuaia: Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Magellanic Penguins, & Chilling Weather
Many use Ushuaia as a launch point for boat trips and explorative journeys, though the city itself is worth a few hours of exploration. When you do take a boat trip from here, you’ll travel eastwards, spotting marine life such as sea lions, penguins, birds, dolphins, and whales. Many of the landmarks here, including a famous lighthouse, have names that reference the “end of the world,” such as the Faro del fin del Mundo.
Unsurprisingly, temperatures around this latitude can be extreme, with an average of just 34°F (1°C) in July, the heart of winter. In summer, it’s better, rising to an average of about 48°F (8°C).
Make no mistake, though. The scenery here is utterly unique and unlike anything you are likely to see on earth. Glaciers, icy waters, animals, and the very experience of being this far south on the planet are well worth the effort of getting here and committing to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our Top-Rated Beagle Channel Tours
While you can expect the boat trips and catamaran rides to last around 3 hours, full-day packages that include visits to the national park and Ushuaia are also available. Many tours that offer stops in Ushuaia will only take the sea trip in the afternoon. Many will return at around 6 pm. That said, there may also be morning options, while weather conditions may also influence sailing times.
Take a look at these for a start:
Ushuaia: Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise
Looking for a day tour with varied experiences? Try this one, which spans Beagle Channel, Sea Wolves Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse in two and a half hours.
You get to spend a little time exploring Tierra del Fuego, which is home to seabirds such as skuas, black-browed albatross, steamer ducks, Upland Geese, Cook seagulls, and gray seagulls. The tour also takes you to Sea Lion Island, home to two beautiful species of sea lion.
Next, head down to Puerto Carelo to explore the genuine shell middens (concheros) left by the Yamana people. Take part in a guided 20-minute hike that ends at a stunning overlook, perfect for snapping great photos. As you make your way back, take in the breathtaking vistas of the nearby mountain ranges and lush greenery enveloping Ushuaia.
What we liked: Allows you to explore the surrounding landmarks and the Beagle Channel.
- Local English/Spanish-speaking guide
- Navigation certificate
- Port taxes
- Toilet and heating on the boat
- Food and drinks (available for purchase)
- Pickup/drop-off
- Onboard bar
Navigation to Beagle Channel and Sea Lions Island with Transfers
One of the interesting points of this boat trip is the shipwreck ruins around the waterway, as well as getting a closer look at the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. There’s also a fun venture towards the sea lions, who have quite the reputation for making a considerable racket.
This is the route Darwin followed through this notable waterway, offering views of the Martial Glacier, the Five Brothers and Olivia Mountains, and the aforementioned Sea Lion Island.
As an aside, Sea Lion Island, also known as the Isla de los Lobos, is home to both South American sea lions and South American fur seals. There is also a significant colony of cormorants on the island. How close you get is mainly dependent on the type of vessel you are sailing on, but regardless, you’ll get a really great view of the animals on the rocks.
What we liked: Great if you don’t want the tour to take up the whole day.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by coach or minivan
- Professional guide
- 3 hours navigation
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Boarding fee
- Entrance fees to national parks
Specification: Top-Priced Beagle Channel Cruise Tickets & Ushuaia Tours 2026
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Dark Johann –
Hervorragender Ausflug.
GetYourGuide traveler –
Trrés belle excursion. Catamaran confortable et bien chauffé. Circuit conforme au descriptif.
Fernanda_T –
It was really an awesome experience. The crew and the guide were amazing. Super interesting facts they shared with us and treated us as friends, they were super kind, the coffee break was delicious and the adventure was incredible. I super recommend it.