Ushuaia has a much broader range of day tours than most Patagonia gateway towns. You can spend the morning on the Beagle Channel, hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park, paddle on a fjord, or head inland toward Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano.
TLDR: Choose Seagold Yacht Navigation for a smaller Beagle Channel boat; Martillo Island Penguin Catamaran for penguins; National Park Trekking & Canoeing for an active Tierra del Fuego day; Lago Escondido & Fagnano Classic Tour for easy inland scenery; or Guided Laguna Esmeralda Trek for a classic hike.
Our tour price bands use the current regular or entry price per person, divided by the full calendar duration. They provide a broad comparison and are not live quotes.
- $: Under $150 per person per day
- $$: $150 to $299 per person per day
- $$$: $300 to $599 per person per day
- $$$$: $600 or more per person per day
Prices were checked on August 15, 2026. Rates can change by departure date, accommodation type and party size.
Best Beagle Channel and Penguin Tours from Ushuaia
Compare vessel size, wildlife priorities, and whether you want a navigation only or an active component.
KAMS & Telienka Yacht Navigation
A strong middle ground between a ten-person sailboat and a large catamaran: up to 26 guests, close wildlife approaches and a guided landing in the Bridges archipelago.
Seagold Yacht Navigation
One of the clearest small-group upgrades over the catamarans: no more than 12 guests, two heated salons and a close, photography-friendly circuit to the lighthouse and wildlife islands.
Beagle Channel Penguin Navigation
The straightforward long catamaran route for seeing Magellanic and gentoo penguins from the boat, while also covering the sea lions, birdlife and Les Eclaireurs lighthouse.
Martillo Island Penguin Catamaran
A transparent, directly bookable penguin cruise with the port fee already included; best for travellers comfortable with a larger vessel and boat-based viewing only.
Round Island Navigation
A useful alternative to another lighthouse cruise, with a proper landing and forest walk on Round Island overlooking the national-park coast.
Best Tierra del Fuego National Park Tours
These options range from gentle sightseeing to a fuller day of walking and canoeing.
Classic Tierra del Fuego National Park
The simple, efficient park overview: hotel pickup, Lake Acigami, Lapataia Bay and the end-of-Route-3 sign, with the train available as an optional add-on.
National Park with Short Treks
The better park option for people who actually want to walk: a reverse-flow itinerary designed to avoid the main groups, with short trails at Lapataia, the peat bogs and the coast.
National Park Trekking & Canoeing
The most complete active park day, pairing trails with a paddle down the Lapataia River into the bay and a proper hot lunch between activities.
National Park + End of the World Train
The best fit for travellers interested in Ushuaia's penal-colony history, combining the atmospheric narrow-gauge train with the main park viewpoints in one half-day plan.
Guided Laguna Esmeralda Trek
The best-supported version of Ushuaia's signature accessible hike, with a certified mountain guide, technical equipment, transfers and a proper homemade lunch rather than a basic sandwich.
Best Lakes and Outdoor Tours Near Ushuaia
Head inland or choose a more active route when you want a different side of Tierra del Fuego.
Lago Escondido & Fagnano Classic Tour
The calm alternative to a 4x4 day, following Route 3 over Garibaldi Pass for the best road-accessible views of Lakes Escondido and Fagnano.
Lakes Off-Road
The benchmark Ushuaia 4x4 day: Garibaldi Pass views, genuinely rough old logging tracks, Lake Fagnano and an Argentine barbecue in Canal's private refuge.
Lago Escondido Horseback Ride & Barbecue
A slower, more personal way to experience Lago Escondido, riding through forest to the shore before sharing a beef barbecue in a cabin surrounded by horses.
Vinciguerra Glacier Trekking
A serious full-day mountain outing through the Andorra wetlands to Laguna de los Témpanos and the retreating Vinciguerra ice, with technical kit supplied when conditions permit glacier travel.
Gable Island & Penguin Colony with Canoeing
The standout all-round adventure from Ushuaia: paddle into the Beagle, hike remote Gable Island and finish with boat-based penguin viewing at Martillo in a group capped at ten.
Sea Kayak Gable Island
Ushuaia's specialist paddling choice, with more than four hours in proper sea kayaks along the remote eastern Beagle coast rather than a short inflatable-canoe segment.
Best Premium Ushuaia Experiences
These are higher-cost, specialist choices for travelers who want an aerial experience rather than another day tour.
Andes Landing + Cerro Castor Helicopter Flight
The best-value meaningful helicopter upgrade: long enough to reach the Andes and Cerro Castor sector and include a mountain landing, rather than merely circling the city.
Beagle Channel Helicopter Flight
The premium aerial overview, extending beyond the city and valleys for a much fuller view along the Beagle Channel's islands, coastlines and mountain walls.
How We Chose These Tours
We compared current, bookable products by the actual decision they solve, such as activity level, route, group size, and time commitment. Near-identical variants were left out unless they offer a clear practical difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tour in Ushuaia for a first visit?
A Beagle Channel navigation and a Tierra del Fuego National Park day give the most balanced first introduction. Add Laguna Esmeralda if you also want one proper hike.
Which Ushuaia boat tour is best for penguins?
Martillo Island Penguin Catamaran and Tolkeyen’s Beagle Channel Penguin Navigation are the clearest options in this guide. Choose the yacht or catamaran format based on the vessel experience you prefer.
Can I visit Tierra del Fuego National Park without a tour?
Yes. A tour is useful if you prefer pickup, a guide, and a coordinated activity such as canoeing or the End of the World Train. Independent visitors can use local transport and walk selected trails themselves.
Are Beagle Channel tours suitable for families?
Many standard navigations are easy-paced and suitable for families. A straightforward route such as the Martillo Island catamaran is usually a better choice than kayaking or an all-day active itinerary.
How many days should I allow for Ushuaia tours?
Allow two full days for a Beagle Channel trip and a national park or lakes excursion. Add a third day for a trek, kayaking, or a more specialist wildlife experience.