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POLARAVIS

Sailing
the Beagle Channel

The Yámana people sailed it in search of food. They called it Onashaga, the channel of the hunters. Today, sailing it is one of the main reasons to come to Ushuaia.

What you will experience
while sailing
the Beagle Channel

It starts a few meters from downtown Ushuaia and, 240 kilometers long, separates the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego from the islands of the Fuegian archipelago.

Aerial view of the Beagle Channel shoreline with turquoise water
Cormorants on a rocky islet in the Beagle Channel
Black-browed albatross gliding over the colony
Commerson's dolphins swimming alongside the boat
Whale surfacing in the channel at sunset
Penguin colony on the shore of the channel
Faro Les Éclaireurs on the rocky islet in the Beagle Channel
Sea lion colony on the rocks of Isla de los Lobos
Sailboat anchored at night off Islas Bridges
Fishing boat on the shore of Puerto Almanza
01/10

South American sea lions
and fur seals.

Permanent colonies on the islands of the channel.

02/10

Imperial and rock
cormorants.

Concentrated on the rocky islets.

03/10

Black-browed albatross.

They glide on the wind currents of the channel.

04/10

Commerson's dolphins.

Dolphins of the far south, often seen along different stretches.

05/10

Whales.

Sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

06/10

Magellanic and
gentoo penguins.

On Isla Martillo, from October to March, and at the penguin colony of Paso Guaraní.

07/10

Faro Les Éclaireurs.

The best-known lighthouse in the channel, often mistakenly called the “Lighthouse at the End of the World” (a name that in fact belongs to the Faro San Juan de Salvamento, on Isla de los Estados).

08/10

Isla de los Lobos.

A sea lion colony, a fixed stop on all four trips.

09/10

Islas Bridges.

An archipelago tied to the history of the Bridges family. A trekking stop on the Premium Full Day and the overnight anchorage on the Night on the Sailboat.

10/10

Puerto Almanza.

Final destination of the Paso Guaraní trip, a fishing village on the shore of the channel, with a stop at a penguin colony along the way.

Classic Full Day

Three to four hours of sailing along the first stretch of the Beagle Channel. The first stop is Isla de los Lobos, where sea lions rest on the rocky shore. The sailboat then approaches the Faro Les Éclaireurs, a landmark of the channel where imperial cormorants, gulls, petrels and snowy sheathbills gather. Hot drinks are served on board throughout the crossing: mate, coffee and tea. A short outing for anyone with little time in Ushuaia who does not want to leave the channel out of the trip.

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Group: up to 8 people

Route: Isla de los Lobos, Faro Les Éclaireurs

Includes: hot drinks

Premium Full Day

Five to six hours of sailing, following the same initial route as the Classic with a longer stop at Islas Bridges. There the sailboat anchors for lunch on board and a short walk through the native vegetation of the archipelago. The day includes a charcuterie board, drinks and hot beverages, and satellite connectivity for anyone who needs to stay in touch during the trip.

Duration: 5 to 6 hours

Group: up to 6 people

Route: Isla de los Lobos, Faro Les Éclaireurs, trekking on Islas Bridges

Includes: charcuterie board, drinks and hot beverages, satellite internet

Night on the Sailboat

After sailing past Isla de los Lobos and the Faro Les Éclaireurs, the sailboat anchors at Islas Bridges for a short walk and an afternoon snack as the day fades. Once night falls, a hot dinner is served on board and you sleep at anchor, sheltered from the open wind of the channel. The next morning, breakfast before heading back to Ushuaia. This is the option for anyone who wants to see the Beagle at night, under the clear sky of the far south.

Duration: 18 hours

Group: up to 4 people

Route: Isla de los Lobos, Faro Les Éclaireurs, night at anchor at Islas Bridges

Includes: dinner, breakfast, drinks and hot beverages

Paso Guaraní – Puerto Almanza

Three days and two nights of sailing, departing at 8:30 a.m. from the Ushuaia pier and returning around 6:30 p.m. on the third day. The first leg repeats the route of the shorter trips: Isla de los Lobos and Faro Les Éclaireurs, with lunch served while sailing. In the afternoon, the sailboat reaches the Estancia Remolino area, where you go ashore to walk along the coast before dinner and the first night on board.

The second day is the heart of the voyage. You sail the Paso Guaraní toward Puerto Almanza and reach the rookery to watch gentoo penguins in their colony. In the afternoon, the sailboat anchors in a sheltered cove for the second dinner and night on board.

The third day is the return: breakfast, sailing along the channel and arrival in Ushuaia toward the end of the afternoon. If the weather does not allow a return by water, there is the option of returning overland from Puerto Almanza.

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

Group: 4 people (closed group)

Route: Isla de los Lobos, Faro Les Éclaireurs, Paso Guaraní, penguin colony

Includes: breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, drinks and hot beverages

Useful information

Calendar icon: season

Season

All four trips run year-round, subject to weather conditions.

Cloud and wind icon: weather

Weather

Any sailing trip may be rescheduled or canceled due to extreme conditions. Safety comes first. Ask about rescheduling and cancellation terms on WhatsApp.

Boat at the pier icon: departure point

Departure point

Ushuaia tourist pier. No trip includes transfers from your accommodation.

Wheelchair icon: reduced mobility

Reduced mobility

The sailboat is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, on any of the four trips.

Pregnant person icon: pregnancy and babies

Pregnancy and infants

Participation is not recommended for infants or for people in advanced pregnancy.

Family icon: minors

Minors

They must travel accompanied and under the supervision of a responsible adult. The crew does not act as caregivers.

Plate and cutlery icon: dietary options

Dietary restrictions

No vegan, gluten-free or pescatarian menu is available. Anyone who needs this type of diet must give 48 hours’ notice at the time of booking.

Speech bubbles icon: guide

Language on board

Spanish.

Luggage icon: what to bring

What to bring

Thermal and waterproof clothing, non-slip footwear, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a toiletry kit.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need previous sailing experience?

No. The skipper is in charge of sailing at all times.

Is there a tour guide on board?

No. This is a sailing experience, without a dedicated tour guide.

When is the best season to sail the Beagle Channel?

It depends on what you are looking for. October to March adds penguins on Isla Martillo and more daylight hours. Autumn brings the color of the lenga forests. Winter has less tourist traffic and a different kind of landscape. The channel operates year-round.

Can the sailboat be booked privately?

Yes, an exclusive trip can be arranged for your group. Ask us on WhatsApp.

Is there a minimum number of people for the trip to be confirmed?

Yes. If the group is not complete, the trip is rescheduled for another date.

Check availability

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    WhatsApp +54 9 2901 588189

    Message us on WhatsApp or leave your inquiry in writing. We answer every inquiry personally.