The 6 Best Sailing Trips in Argentina

1.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180Our pick

Spend five hours aboard a warm, modern catamaran from Ushuaia, stopping near Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. An English and Spanish guide explains the wildlife and the SS Monte Cervantes, while onboard snacks, drinks, and optional photography add convenience. You watch the penguins from the boat rather than walking on the island.

“Trio was awesome! Captain was great! Don’t hesitate to book this tour!”

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2.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92Best value

Set out from Ushuaia at 3 p.m. on a 5.5-hour catamaran cruise with English and Spanish guiding. You’ll pass sea lion and bird colonies, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Chilean and Argentine viewpoints, and Martillo Island, home to Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. The boat has outdoor decks, bathrooms, and a café, but food and drinks cost extra.

“While we really enjoyed our trip on the Catamaran and loved seeing the sea lions, I think there could be better crowd management when you get to the penguins. While they did ask people to keep moving so that everyone could get photos, etc., in reality, the same 20 or so people had the best spots for the entire time we were on the island, and we never got a chance to get up to the front for even a minute to grab a good photo. I possibly could have pushed my way through, but I would have preferred if a crew member asked people to move along after a…”

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3.Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 433 reviews · 2h 30m · from $115

Sail from Ushuaia Bay into the Beagle Channel on a comfortable, heated catamaran. You’ll see seabirds, two sea lion species, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Yamana shell deposits at Puerto Karelo, with a short guided walk and commentary in Spanish and English.

“Good value for the excursion. The scenery was beautiful”

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4.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

Cruise from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel to Isla Martillo, viewing Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, sea lions, seabirds, and the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse from a comfortable catamaran. The 5 to 6-hour trip includes bilingual guidance, a café, restrooms, and outdoor viewing decks, but no island landing.

“The boat tour itself was great, but the directions about where and how to get your ticket were very confusing. On the website it says to click here for ticket, but then you get a message that “this is not a ticket!” When we got to the meeting place it was very busy with lots of cruise ship people and the rest of us. Did not know that we needed to go to one of the hurts to get our actual ticket for the boat. Thankfully, some very nice locals helped us and we JUST made the trip. Let me say again that was super! Loved the penguins!”

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5.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

You’ll spend five hours aboard a catamaran from Ushuaia, sailing past sea lions, cormorants, mountains, the SS Monte Cervantes wreck, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse before reaching Martillo Island’s Magellanic penguins. An English or Spanish guide explains the wildlife and Tierra del Fuego’s history. Hotel pickup is optional.

“Catamarano stra colmo di gente . As ogni attrattiva da vedere ci si ammassava fuori e se eri dietro non vedevi assolutamente nulla e la gente non si spostava. Siamo arrivati dai pinguini prima di tutte le altre barche e nonostante questo la nostra si é fermata dove c’erano solo una decina di pinguini mentre il “gruppo super grande “ non siamo riusciti a vederlo nemmeno ha fatto un giro per poter mostrare anche a chi non ha visto nulla. In prezzo assurdo si quasi 169€ a persona ! I peggio spesi. Sxonsiglko !!!meglio barca piccola”

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6.Sailing tour on Nahuel Huapi Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $130Top rated

Sail from Puerto Petunia for three hours along the Campanario Arm, past islands and calm bays toward Isla de los Víveres and Puerto Venado. Your Spanish or Portuguese-speaking guide shares the trip with no more than 10 people. A bay stop includes herbal teas and snacks, but transport to the marina is not included.

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