Island of the Birds

Isla de los Pájaros

A small island in the Beagle Channel teeming with cormorants, albatrosses, and other seabirds in their natural habitat. It's typically visited on boat tours from Ushuaia and provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and observation.

Things to do

• Cormorant Colony Observation — Watch thousands of rock cormorants nesting on the island's rocky outcrops, with guided boat tours providing close views of their distinctive diving behavior and nesting sites.
• Albatross and Petrel Photography — Capture images of wandering albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, and various petrel species in their natural breeding habitat with excellent lighting conditions from the Beagle Channel.
• Wildlife Identification with Naturalist Guides — Join expert-led boat tours that identify cormorants, steamer ducks, kelp geese, and marine mammals like sea lions and Commerson's dolphins in the surrounding waters.
• Bird Behavior Study — Observe courtship displays, nesting rituals, and feeding patterns of endemic and migratory seabird species from designated viewing areas on the boat tour route.
• Beagle Channel Navigation — Experience the historic waterway where Darwin sailed, passing through dramatic Fuegian landscapes while learning about the island's geological formation and maritime heritage.

Food to try

• Centolla (King Crab) — This prized local crustacean from the cold Beagle Channel waters is served grilled or in stews at Ushuaia restaurants before or after your island tour.
• Trucha Ahumada (Smoked Trout) — Tierra del Fuego's cold rivers produce excellent trout, often smoked and served as a local specialty in Ushuaia's waterfront restaurants near the tour departure points.
• Cordero Patagónico (Patagonian Lamb) — Grass-fed lamb from the Tierra del Fuego region is a signature dish served in local restaurants, known for its tender meat and distinctive flavor from the southern pastures.
• Empanadas de Mariscos — These seafood-filled pastries featuring local shellfish and fish are common grab-and-go options in Ushuaia before embarking on island tours.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress for Extreme Weather — Bring waterproof jackets, thermal layers, and windproof outerwear, as Beagle Channel conditions can change rapidly with strong winds and cold temperatures even in summer.
• Respect Wildlife Distance Regulations — Guides enforce strict distance rules to protect nesting birds; keep noise levels low and never approach animals directly to ensure their natural behavior remains undisturbed.
• Book Tours in Advance — Island visits are only accessible via licensed tour operators from Ushuaia; booking ahead ensures availability and access to experienced naturalist guides who provide cultural and ecological context.
• Understand Yámana Heritage — The island's waters were home to the Yámana people for millennia; many Ushuaia tours reference this indigenous history and the region's importance to early maritime exploration.