Ushuaia is the gateway to our Antarctic expedition cruise experiences, and the city will be your port of call both before and after your time spent exploring the white continent! Antarctica might be the real draw for wildlife - after all, you've booked your adventure for a very good reason - but don't overlook Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Beagle Channel while you're here!
It's well worth putting aside a day or two to explore the mountains, forests, and seas around Ushuaia. With plenty of wildlife to see, some of which you won't see elsewhere, this remarkable part of the world is an excellent complement to any Antarctic expedition cruise.
Our expedition team has put together a list of their highlights from the region, including examples of wildlife you may spot along the way!
Urban Wildlife - Reserva Natural Urbana Bahía Encerrada and Mingo Moreno Observatory
Reserva Natural Urbana Bahía Encerrada is right in the center of Ushuaia, accessible on foot from the port (10–12 minutes). A loop extension is possible towards the Mingo Moreno bird observatory and onward to Bahía Golondrina. This is a flat, easy, accessible nature walk entirely within Ushuaia. The reserve, which surrounds a shallow coastal lagoon with walking paths, reeds, and open water, is one of the best spots for birdwatching without leaving the city. The area is peaceful, offers clear mountain views, and attracts both residents and travelers for wildlife and photography.
Photo: Chimango caracara
This is a fantastic option for those wanting to see wildlife without a long excursion, with both short and longer routes possible. Photographic opportunities are superb, with lagoon and mountain views, as well as close-up encounters with waterfowl and reed habitats. You can combine your walk with a coffee along the waterfront, and it is especially attractive in the early morning or at sunset. Dress warmly - the lagoon can be windy!
What might you see?
• Upland goose (Chloephaga picta).
• Flying steamer duck/flightless steamer duck (Tachyeres patachonicus/T. pteneres).
• Crested duck (Lophonetta specularioides).
• Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus).
• Dolphin gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii).
• South American tern (Sterna hirundinacea).
• Blackish and Magellanic oystercatchers (Haematopus ater/H. leucopodus).
• Chimango caracara (Daptrius chimango).
• Southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis).
• Various passerines around the reedbeds, including rufous-collared sparrows and Patagonian sierra Finches.
Around the Mingo Moreno observatory, evidence of beaver activity is visible, including lodges, gnawed trunks, and occasional daytime sightings.
Photo: Beaver
Suggested walking loop
Bahía Encerrada loop
Duration: 45–60 minutes - extendable to 1.5–2 hours, including Mingo Moreno and the shoreline of Bahía Golondrina.
Terrain: flat gravel and boardwalks.
Difficulty: easy.
Beagle Channel Excursion
This is a classic Ushuaia wildlife experience. You can expect to encounter marine birds and dramatic landscapes, and to see the famous Les Éclaireurs lighthouse. Common to the area are colonies of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) resting on rocky islets, along with cormorants and other seabirds. Depending on your exact itinerary, the excursion may include a stop and landing on Isla Bridges, a small, protected area with coastal vegetation and interpretive walking trails. Here you can enjoy short, guided walks that take in ancient middens, coastal wildflowers, and adapted shrubs, and provide excellent opportunities for close bird photography.
Photo: Les Éclaireurs lighthouse
Tours depart from Ushuaia’s main port. Excursions typically last 3–4 hours and navigate westward along the Beagle Channel. You'll get a beautiful panoramic view of Ushuaia and the surrounding mountains on the return route, and great shots of the lighthouse set against a mountain backdrop. We recommend bringing windproof clothing for the boat and dressing for the weather, both planned and unplanned! You'll get the best wildlife viewing on clear days, but excursions run in most weather conditions.
What might you see?
• South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens).
• Imperial cormorant (Leucocarbo atriceps).
• Rock shag (Leucocarbo magellanicus).
• Southern giant petrels.
• Kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, and several species of tern.
• Occasionally: Peale’s dolphins and other marine wildlife.
Photo: South American sea lions
Tierra del Fuego National Park
World-famous and needing little introduction, Tierra del Fuego National Park is a pristine protected area combining subantarctic forests, lakes, rivers, peat bogs, and coastal stretches. The park is ideal for easy-to-moderate walks, offering diverse birdlife and classic “End of the World” scenery.
You can explore on wooden walkways and forest trails, taking in panoramic views of bays and subantarctic forests. Interpretive signs and quiet coves for bird photography are dotted throughout. There are numerous forest trails through lenga and ñire trees, along with rivers and peat bog ecosystems to enjoy and photograph. The national park is ideal for half-day or full-day excursions, and trails range from very easy to intermediate. The weather can be changeable, so pack additional layers.
Photo: Magellanic woodpecker
The National Park is located about 12km west of Ushuaia, with daily shuttles. Shuttles from Ushuaia drop guests at various trailheads and pick them up at scheduled times, giving you flexibility to see what you want.
Shuttle information
Minibuses depart from central Ushuaia, drop off at:
• Lapataia Bay
• Ensenada Bay
• Visitor Center (Alakush)
Return pick-ups are coordinated at chosen times.
The Visitor Center offers a café, a warm interior, bathrooms, panoramic windows, a small shop, and an interpretation exhibition.
What might you see?
• Fire-eyed diucon (Pyrope pyrope).
• Austral thrush (Turdus falcklandii).
• Austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus).
• Magellanic woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus).
• Crested caracara (Carcara plancus).
• A variety of waterfowl around bays and lakes.
• Several mammal species, including the Patagonian fox, the guanaco, and the beaver.
Notable landscapes
Lapataia Bay: “End of the World” coastline.
Ensenada Bay: views towards Chilean islands.
Thank you to Régis Perdriat for providing imagery and original text used in this blog.
