Crafting Argentina Experiences · One Journey at a Time
Crafting Argentina Experiences · One Journey at a Time
There are very few places on Earth where you can walk beside wild penguins. Martillo Island, a small sliver of land in the Beagle Channel just off the coast of Ushuaia, is one of them — and it remains one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters South America has to offer.
Every year from October to March, tens of thousands of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins return to Martillo Island to nest, raise their chicks and go about their lives with an almost complete indifference to the visitors who wander quietly among them. Argentina Pura’s guided catamaran tour takes you directly there — in small, private groups that give you the time and space to truly absorb the experience, not just photograph it.
This is not a viewing platform tour. You step off the catamaran and walk the island alongside the colony — watched over by a specialist nature guide from Argentina Pura and the island’s resident rangers. It is unhurried, intimate, and unforgettable.
Martillo Island is home to the world’s southernmost Magellanic penguin colony and one of the only places in Patagonia — or anywhere in South America — where visitors are permitted to disembark and walk freely among the birds. Most penguin-watching tours, from Punta Tombo in Chubut to the Falkland Islands, observe colonies from a distance or a roped-off path. Martillo is different. The penguins here have grown accustomed to respectful visitors and will often approach you of their own accord, waddling past your feet or pausing to consider you with the kind of frank curiosity that is purely penguin.
The Beagle Channel crossing to the island is itself a highlight. The catamaran passes through scenery that Darwin described in his journals — jagged peaks rising directly from the water, sea lions hauled out on rocky outcrops, cormorants and albatross riding the southern winds overhead. By the time you arrive at Martillo, you are already deep in one of the most remote and dramatic corners of the planet.
Your full-day tour with Argentina Pura includes:
Private catamaran transfer from Ushuaia harbour through the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island
Guided walk on Martillo Island with a certified Argentina Pura nature guide (approx. 90 minutes on the island)
Ranger-supervised access to both the Magellanic and Gentoo nesting areas
Time to observe and photograph freely at a respectful distance — the penguins set the pace
Return catamaran crossing with optional commentary on Beagle Channel wildlife
All safety equipment and transfer logistics managed by Argentina Pura
Total duration is approximately five to six hours door to door. The tour operates from the main Ushuaia harbour and pick-up from your hotel can be arranged on request.
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Martillo Island is unique in hosting two distinct penguin species in close proximity, each with its own personality and breeding rhythm.
Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus): Immediately recognisable by their distinctive black-and-white banding, Magellanic penguins are the stars of Martillo. They arrive in October to excavate their burrow nests, and by November the colony — which numbers over 150,000 breeding pairs across the greater Beagle Channel area — is in full swing. Chicks hatch from December onwards and the young birds take their first dip in January or February before migrating north in April.
Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua): Recognised by the bright orange beak and white flash above the eye, Gentoo penguins are the fast swimmers of the penguin world, capable of reaching 36 km/h underwater. Their presence on Martillo is a relatively recent development — the Ushuaia colony has expanded southward from its strongholds in the Falkland Islands — and seeing both species in the same visit is something that was not possible even twenty years ago.
The Martillo Island penguin colony is active from October to April, but the experience changes significantly by month:
| Month | What to See | Activity Level |
|---|---|---|
| October | Adults arrive, burrow nesting begins. Small crowds. | ⭐⭐⭐ High |
| November | Egg laying. Peak colony activity. Pleasant weather. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High |
| December | First chicks hatch. Peak season. Longest days of the year. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Maximum |
| January | Chicks developing. Austral summer. Best weather. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Maximum |
| February | Gentoo chicks visible. High fishing activity. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High |
| March / April | Adults begin northern migration. Colony winding down. | ⭐⭐ Moderate |
For the definitive penguin experience — adults, chicks and the full spectacle of the colony — December and January are the months to aim for. That said, the island is worth visiting any time the penguins are present, and October offers a quieter atmosphere with the full colony arriving fresh from their winter migration.
Places on the Martillo Island walking tour are limited by national park regulations. Argentina Pura operates in small private groups, which means availability — especially in December and January — fills weeks in advance. Early booking is strongly recommended.
What to bring on the day:
• Waterproof, windproof outer layer — Ushuaia weather changes quickly even in summer
• Warm mid-layer (fleece or down) — Beagle Channel crossings can be cold
• Closed-toe, non-slip shoes suitable for uneven terrain (not sandals or open shoes)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses — high-altitude UV is strong even on overcast days
• Camera with zoom capability — penguins should never be approached closer than 1.5 metres
• Small daypack with water and a light snack for the island
Argentina Pura takes care of all logistics: catamaran transfers, national park entry arrangements, ranger briefing and guide. You simply arrive at the meeting point in Ushuaia ready to spend a day with the penguins.
