Discover the Joy of Walking with Penguins in Ushuaia: A Unique Travel Experience

🏔️ Ushuaia offers a plethora of sea excursions, but most of them only allow you to admire the scenery from the boat and do not permit landing on the islands. The one exception is Isla Martillo, a private island where Piratour operates exclusive penguin viewing tours, allowing just 80 visitors to set foot on the island each day.

🗺️ Piratour’s agency is conveniently located at the dock, and you can walk in to gather information. Since December marks the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, it coincides with the penguins’ breeding and chick-rearing period, making it a highly sought-after time to visit. It’s advisable to book your tour well in advance through WhatsApp or their website, Piratour.

net. Even if all spots are initially filled, don’t lose hope! Sometimes new slots open up, so it’s worth checking back a few days later.

💰 We secured our spots for 120 euros per person.
🕰️ The entire experience, including travel time, spans about five to six hours, with a full hour dedicated to exploring the island and observing the penguins.

🐧 Stepping onto the island, we were immediately struck by the sheer number of penguins. The landscape itself is breathtaking, but the real stars are the penguins. On Martillo Island, you can spot three distinct species: Magellanic, Gentoo, and even the majestic King penguins. Our guide mentioned that while King penguins typically inhabit areas much farther from Martillo Island, some individuals seem to have developed a fondness for this place.

We were lucky enough to see two King penguins, one of which was amusingly blending in with a group of Gentoo penguins, almost as if it was trying to pass as one [laugh-cry emoji].

⚠️ Once on the island, it’s crucial to follow strict guidelines: no loud noises, no feeding, and no touching the penguins. Additionally, you must refrain from taking any stones or shells from the island. Some penguin nests are situated right next to the paths, so tread carefully to avoid disturbing them. This is their natural habitat, and any disturbance could cause them to abandon the area, potentially not returning the following year.