This was the main reason I wanted to visit Ushuaia, to see the penguins!

Just a couple hour boat ride from Ushuaia in the Beagle Channel is Martillo Island, home to thousands of penguins every year. It's one of the biggest attractions in Ushuaia, and after experiencing it myself, I completely understand why.

One thing that makes this island so unique is that it's home to two different species of penguins. You'll see Magellanic penguins, which have black beaks and make up the majority of the colony, along with the much rarer Gentoo penguins, which have bright orange beaks. Most places where you see penguins only have one species, so getting to see both in the same place is pretty special.

The penguins return to the Beagle Channel each year because the waters are cold, there's an abundance of fish to eat, and there are very few natural predators.

Two Different Penguin Tours in Ushuaia

Before booking your tour, it's important to know that there are two different ways to see the penguins.

Boat Tour

The first option is a boat tour around Martillo Island. You'll cruise through the Beagle Channel and get very close to the penguins from the water, but you won't actually step onto the island.

This is the more affordable option and still gives you great views of the colony.

Walking Tour

This is the tour we chose, and if you're a penguin lover like me, I couldn't recommend it more.

Instead of just viewing the penguins from the boat, you actually get to walk on Martillo Island while staying a respectful distance away from the penguins. Being on the island with them is such a completely different experience. It feels much more personal and immersive.

The walking tour is definitely expensive, we paid around $260 per person, but for me, it was worth every penny.

We booked our tour through PiraTour and had a fantastic experience.

Our Experience Walking with the Penguins

Our tour departed from the Ushuaia port around 10:30 a.m. We boarded a comfortable boat with indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, a small bar, and food available throughout the trip.

On the way to Martillo Island, we stopped near a few smaller islands to see sea lions and several different bird species, including one that migrates all the way from the Arctic to Antarctica every year. Throughout the boat ride, the guides shared interesting information about the wildlife, Ushuaia, and the Beagle Channel, which made the journey go by quickly.

One unexpected highlight was the dolphins!

We spotted several dolphins swimming alongside the boat, and I ended up getting some of my favorite photos from the entire trip. The photos honestly look fake.

The boat ride itself takes a couple of hours, but between the scenery, wildlife, and lunch served onboard, it never felt long.

Once we arrived, everyone was divided into two groups. One group headed straight to the penguins while the other group, which included us, visited the nearby museum first.

The Museum

I wasn't expecting much from the museum, but it actually ended up being really interesting.

Most of the exhibits focus on the marine mammals found around Tierra del Fuego, many were discovered along the local shoreline.

One of my favorite random facts from the day was learning that the museum's founder, Natalie Goodall, is actually from Ohio! Since we're from Ohio too, it felt like such a small world.

The most unique part of the museum is the Bone House.

This is where they clean, preserve, and prepare animal skeletons before they're displayed in the museum. You can actually walk inside and learn about the entire process.

I'll be honest...it smells absolutely terrible.

If that doesn't sound appealing, you can always wait outside, but I thought it was fascinating to see how much work goes into preserving these animals.

Walking with the Penguins

Finally, it was time for what we had been waiting for.

We boarded a much smaller boat for the short ride over to Martillo Island, and the moment we stepped off, we were surrounded by thousands of penguins!

It honestly didn't feel real.

Before beginning the walk, the guides went over the rules, and they take them very seriously. You aren't allowed to touch the penguins, get too close, block their path, or stick your camera right in their faces. If someone doesn't follow the rules, they'll stop the tour because protecting the penguins always comes first. So don’t be the one to ruin the tour for everyone else!

The walk lasts about 45 minutes to an hour and is very easy.

During that time we watched penguins building nests, calling to their mates, sleeping, waddling around the island, swimming through the water, and just going about their day completely unbothered by us.

One of my favorite moments was watching three penguins waddle perfectly in sync together. It was honestly the cutest thing ever.

You'll have plenty of opportunities to take photos, but I'd also encourage you to put the camera down every once in a while and simply enjoy the experience.

Being surrounded by thousands of penguins in their natural habitat is something I'll never forget.

As someone whose favorite animal has always been penguins, this was everything I'd hoped it would be.

Once our walk was over, we returned to the museum, boarded the buses, and made the two-hour drive back to Ushuaia, arriving around 6:30 p.m.

Was the Walking Penguin Tour Worth It?

Absolutely. This experience easily ranks in the top three highlights of our entire Argentina trip.

If penguins aren't really your thing, then I'd probably save the money and choose the regular boat tour.

But if you've always dreamed of seeing penguins up close, I genuinely think the walking tour is worth paying extra for. It's such a unique experience, and I don't know many places in the world where you can responsibly walk among wild penguins like this.

Tips for Visiting the Penguins

Best Time to Visit

We visited in February, and there were thousands of penguins on the island.

The penguins are typically on Martillo Island from October through April, so visiting anytime during those months gives you a great chance of seeing them.

What to Wear

Dress in layers.

The weather changes quickly in this area, and it's usually windier and colder on the island than it is in Ushuaia.

I'd recommend wearing:

A windbreaker or rain jacket
Sweatshirts or fleece layers
Comfortable walking shoes
A hat if it's especially windy

Even in the summer, you'll likely be glad you packed extra layers.

Photography Tips

If you have a camera with a zoom lens, definitely bring it.

Some of my favorite photos from Argentina came from this tour, and they honestly look like they belong in a magazine.

Your phone will also take great photos and videos, but don't spend the entire tour behind your camera. Take a few pictures, then enjoy simply watching the penguins.

Is the Walk Difficult?

Not at all.The walk is very easy with plenty of stops along the way. There were several older adults in our group, and everyone handled it just fine.

Final Thoughts on Ushuaia Penguin Tour

I can't recommend this tour enough.

There's something incredibly special about watching thousands of penguins living peacefully in their natural habitat while knowing every effort is being made to protect them. PiraTour does an excellent job balancing an unforgettable experience for visitors while making sure the penguins always come first.

Would I fly all the way back to Ushuaia just to do this tour again?

Probably not. It's one of those unforgettable bucket-list experiences that you're lucky enough to do once.

But if I ever have the chance to walk with penguins somewhere else in the world, I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

Walking with Penguins in Ushuaia: Is the Martillo Island Tour Worth It?