Penguins in Ushuaia: Everything you need to know

Find out how penguin species live in the far south of the country

There is no doubt that when you come to Ushuaia, one of the activities that you cannot miss is the well-known penguin colony inhabited by these friendly and amusing specimens that seem to be dressed up in gala dresses. For adults and children the excursion is a caress to the soul, since you will have the possibility to sail and get to know the wide Ushuaia Bay from the Beagle Channel, open landscapes with beautiful mountains, the Bridge Archipelago and the Martillo Island in an experience of approximately 5 hours.

The sightings are made respecting the penguins that approach the boat to interact and swim, offering a beautiful spectacle of nature. As you may know, there is also available the tour that includes the navigation of the Beagle Channel to Les Eclaireurs LighthouseThe penguin colony, a little shorter than the penguin colony, but not a waste of time.

Another option is to combine the excursion with other tours such as the Tierra del Fuego National Park with the End of the World Train and the beautiful Fuegian lakes..

During the trip you will be able to take some fun photos at the Isla de los Lobos where the friendly little wolves, who live in a harem, interact and show you that this trip has been worthwhile.

You can also admire the biodiversity of the Isla de los Pájaros, another stop on the tour. There you'll see barracudas, seagulls, geese and steamer ducks that will leave you in awe. 

It won't take you long to get to Martillo Island as the distance is short from the centre of Ushuaia. To start the excursion you will have to go to Muelle Turístico, a place that can be reached on foot from the city centre, and board the catamaran there. Ready, the adventure begins, take your camera and take the most beautiful pictures of the penguin colony!

Behaviour of penguins in Ushuaia

From October to April it is possible to make an excursion to the famous penguin colony., which is located only 15 km from Ushuaia and meet the "guardians of the ice": the penguins that arrive at the end of the world for their breeding season. It is important to know that the males arrive first to the island and return to the same nests they used during the previous season. Later the females do so and there begins the stage in which they search for their mate. When they find a mate, they nest in caves and protect the eggs in pairs.
At birth, the young will spend at least two months learning how to survive before migrating with their parents. Later, 4-5 years later, they will start the same cycle to reproduce. 

As migratory birds, penguins will then head north along the coast in search of warmer waters, in some cases as far north as central Brazil. Although penguins look after their eggs and young on land, most of their lives take place at sea. For this reason, the temperature of the water has a direct impact on their existence. Taking care of the planet so that climate change does not have such a strong impact on these species is a great responsibility. 

Types of penguins on Hammerhead Island

The penguin species that settle in the extreme south of the country are the Magellanic penguins and, to a lesser extent, the Gentoo penguins. The former have two colours: black on the back and white on the chest and abdomen, an average height of 70 cm and weigh around 4 kg and can reach up to 6 kg. They are excellent swimmers and can dive up to 5 metres to catch fish that they will later incorporate into their daily diet. They are named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who first spotted this species while sailing in South America.

The other species you can find in the penguin colony are the gentoo penguins. These friendly penguins live mainly on sub-Antarctic islands such as the Falkland Islands or South Georgia, close to the Antarctic continent.

They are also excellent divers and swimmers, and their diet consists of fish, marine organisms and krill. They are 80 cm long and weigh slightly more than Magellanic penguins, about 8 kg on average. They are distinguished by their red beak and a white spot over the eyes and head. They nest in the same places as Magellanic penguins, so they can be seen in the Beagle Channel. 

How to deal with penguins

It is essential to work to respect the natural habitat of this species. As we mentioned, fishing activity and climate change can affect the survival of penguins, so it is important to take some precautions about where we can help.

It is wise to have a quiet and calm attitude so as not to scare them, they will approach the boat on their own and put on a little show showing their swimming or sunbathing skills. The best time to meet them is during the summer, so there will be long hours of sunlight to enjoy while sailing the waters of the Beagle Channel. It is essential to wear the appropriate clothing and accessories to enjoy the trip more comfortably. 

In order to be able to do the sighting, always prepare your trip in advance during the summer season, from October to the end of March, as if you travel before or after this excursion will not be available.

The only thing left to do is to invite you to visit the fantastic Beagle Channel and get close to the different islands that will give you stunning views and a general overview of the biodiversity in the extreme south of our country. Take your warm clothes, a good camera and take a picture with the famous penguins of Martillo Island. To help you organise your dream trip just contact us!