Ushuaia penguins Isla Martillo Yécapasela Reserve

[anonmom]

Looking for information on how to do a DIY visit to see penguins from Ushuaia. I'm seeing mentions of boats to Isla Martillo or Isla Yécapasela from Estancia Harberton, but the only places listing prices are the overpriced shore excursion operators. We are looking for a public transit option if possible and hopefully info about where to meet independent boat owners who would take us to the reserve. We are bilingual Spanish/English. Thanks!

Edited November 2, 2022 by anonmom
typo

[WNcruiser]

From what I have researched, the only way to actually get ON Martillo/Harberton is through Pira Tours. All the other tours just go by on a boat as it is privately owned. 

[ticktock01]

On 11/20/2022 at 7:38 PM, WNcruiser said:

From what I have researched, the only way to actually get ON Martillo/Harberton is through Pira Tours. All the other tours just go by on a boat as it is privately owned. 

Sadly, that tour doesn't leave Ushuaia until 2:00pm on March 18, the day my Celebrity cruise will be there. It's a 7 hour tour, so it won't work for me. The ship departs at 5:00pm.

[kathynorth]

anonmom, were you able to figure something out? If not, what did you end up doing when you stopped at Ushuaia?