Beagle Channel Sailing Tour: Islands, Penguins and Estancia Harberton

Leave Ushuaia behind and head for the water! Board a beautiful catamaran and sail through Ushuaia Bay into the center of the Beagle Channel. Here, you'll weave through the islands of the Alicia Archipelago, an area inhabited by a large colony of imperial cormorants. You’ll have a good chance to see local wildlife, including the majestic black browed albatross, the scua (a type of gull) and the funny-looking steamer duck.

Your journey continues to Les Eclaireurs Archipelago, where you’ll visit Seal Island, home to two playful species of sea lions. Then cruise to another island nearby to have a look at the classic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. This 74-foot (23-meter) "scout" guards the sea entrance to Ushuaia. It was in this very spot that the Mt Cervantes tragically sank in 1930.

You'll then cruise the waters of Port Almanza (on the Argentina side) and Williams Port (on the Chile side). Get ready for some fun as you enter McKinley Pass, heading directly to Martillo Island to observe a colony of adorable Magellanic penguins at work and play. Approximately 18 inches (46cm) tall and 8 pounds (3.6kg) in weight, these small aquatic birds are members of a species that lives only in the far southern coastal region of South America and the Falkland Islands.

Your sailing excursion continues as you head to Estancia Harberton, a 19th-century ranch, where you'll enjoy a short tour and learn about the historical settlement. At the end of your walk, you'll hop on a bus with your guide and travel back to Ushuaia.