Penguin Walk on Martillo Island
Walk among Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island.
- 6.5 hours
When to visit Ushuaia: the best time, month by month
It depends on what you are after. Penguins are on Martillo Island from October to April and the snow season runs from June to October. In December there are more than 17 hours of daylight; in June, just over 7.
The short answer
- To see penguins: October to April. That is when Magellanic and Gentoo penguins are on Martillo Island.
- For snow: June to October, the snow season. July and August are the months with the most days of snowfall in the city.
- For the most daylight: mid-November to mid-January, with more than 16 hours between sunrise and sunset.
- For hiking with long days and little snow: December to March, the months with fewer than 1.5 days of snow per month in the city.
None of our tours has fixed departure months in its program. Before building your trip around an activity, check availability for your date.
Ushuaia weather month by month
Sources: temperature, precipitation and days with snow come from Argentina’s National Weather Service (SMN), in its 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ushuaia Aero station (with data from 1997 to 2020). Daylight hours come from Argentina’s Naval Hydrographic Service, with sunrise and sunset in Ushuaia on the 15th of each month of 2026.
| Month | Average temp. | Average high | Precipitation | Days with snow | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.5 °C | 13.6 °C | 45.1 mm | 0.2 | 16 h 40 min |
| February | 9.4 °C | 13.6 °C | 34.6 mm | 0.3 | 14 h 40 min |
| March | 8.4 °C | 12.2 °C | 38.3 mm | 1.0 | 12 h 34 min |
| April | 6.2 °C | 9.4 °C | 47.0 mm | 4.3 | 10 h 18 min |
| May | 4.3 °C | 6.9 °C | 35.3 mm | 4.8 | 8 h 21 min |
| June | 2.5 °C | 4.5 °C | 42.5 mm | 9.3 | 7 h 14 min |
| July | 2.3 °C | 4.6 °C | 35.8 mm | 10.6 | 7 h 44 min |
| August | 2.9 °C | 5.7 °C | 38.4 mm | 10.2 | 9 h 28 min |
| September | 4.3 °C | 7.6 °C | 30.5 mm | 7.7 | 11 h 39 min |
| October | 6.2 °C | 10.1 °C | 28.4 mm | 5.5 | 13 h 52 min |
| November | 7.4 °C | 11.5 °C | 38.9 mm | 4.4 | 16 h 02 min |
| December | 8.6 °C | 12.5 °C | 43.0 mm | 1.4 | 17 h 16 min |
| Year | 6.0 °C | 9.3 °C | 457.6 mm | 59.5 | — |
How to read the table
- Cool all year round: the average ranges from 2.3 °C in July to 9.5 °C in January, and the average high never reaches 14 °C.
- There is no rainy season: no month gets more than 47 mm and, according to the SMN, there are 99 days a year with at least 1 mm.
- It snows in almost every month: 59.5 days a year, peaking from June to August. The details are in Ushuaia in winter.
- Daylight changes more than temperature: on December 21 there are 17 h 20 min between sunrise and sunset, and on June 21, 7 h 13 min.
According to the SMN, actual sunshine ranges from 1.5 hours a day in June to 5.3 in January.
The four seasons in Ushuaia
Summer: December to February
The longest days, the highest temperatures and penguins on Martillo Island. It is also the cloudiest and windiest time of year: according to the SMN, December and January have more than 21 overcast days per month. What time it gets dark, what to wear and what to do are in Ushuaia in summer.
Fall: March to June
The leaves turn from green to intense oranges and reds, and the days are cold but sunny, with little wind. Daylight shrinks fast: from 12 h 34 min in mid-March to 8 h 21 min in mid-May. The penguins stay on Martillo Island until April.
Winter: June to August
The coldest months, with the most snowfall and the shortest days, but also with fewer clouds and less wind than in summer, according to the SMN. Sunrise and sunset times, snow sports and which tours to take are in Ushuaia in winter.
Spring: September to November
It is an unstable and windy season: according to the SMN, the average wind speed rises from 22.0 km/h in September to 27.3 km/h in November (2011-2020 series). It still snows, but daylight grows fast, and in October the penguin season begins.
The best time for your plans
If you are coming for the penguins
Travel between October and April. We have two ways to see them: the walk on Martillo Island, about 6.5 hours, with a bus to Estancia Harberton and a boat to the island, and the penguin colony boat trip, about 5 to 6 hours, from the Ushuaia Tourist Pier. How they differ, which species you see and which one to choose are in penguins in Ushuaia.
To see penguins (October to April)
If you want snow
Choose July or August, the months with the most days of snowfall, within the June-to-October snow season. Ski resort dates change every year depending on the snow, and the opening and closing dates of the season may change without notice. Before booking, confirm them on each resort’s official website.
If you want the most daylight
Choose mid-November to mid-January, with more than 16 hours between sunrise and sunset. From mid-December to early January the sun sets after 10 p.m. With days like that, after a half-day tour you still have light for another activity.
If you are going hiking
To hike with more daylight and less snow, the best period is December to March. The Laguna Esmeralda hike is 9 km round trip, in about 4 to 5 hours, with medium difficulty. It is for people aged 12 to 60 and requires waterproof footwear that covers the ankle on any date. The hiking options and how they compare are in hiking in Ushuaia; the place itself, in Laguna Esmeralda.
If your date is already set
Some plans depend less on the season. The classic Tierra del Fuego National Park tour takes about 4 hours, with pick-up from your accommodation and park admission included. The End of the World Train runs 365 days a year. In both cases, check availability for your date.
Hiking and the National Park
Laguna Esmeralda Hike
Forest, peat bogs and a turquoise lagoon: 9 km with a guide and lunch.
- 4–5 hours
- Moderate
Tierra del Fuego National Park: Classic Tour
Forest, lake and sea in half a day, with park admission included.
- 4 hours
What to keep in mind when choosing your dates
- The figures are averages. A January can bring a snowfall and a July several sunny days: the table shows what is most likely, not what will happen on your trip.
- Tours are confirmed by date. None of our programs sets departure months: send us your date and we will reply with what runs that day.
- In winter, full-day tours last longer than the daylight. What that means and how to plan around it is in Ushuaia in winter.
Once you have your dates, a plan that spreads the National Park, the Beagle Channel, a hike and Puerto Almanza over several days is in what to do in Ushuaia in 3 or 4 days, and everything you can do from the city, in things to do in Ushuaia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Ushuaia?
It depends on what you are after: October to April to see penguins, June to October for snow and mid-November to mid-January for more than 16 hours of daylight. For hiking, December to March, when it snows the least.
In which months can you see penguins in Ushuaia?
Between October and April, when Magellanic and Gentoo penguins arrive on Martillo Island. Ask us for the dates of our tours.
What is the coldest month in Ushuaia?
July, with an average temperature of 2.3 °C, according to the SMN normals for Ushuaia Aero. June (2.5 °C) and August (2.9 °C) are very close.
How many hours of daylight does Ushuaia get?
17 h 20 min on December 21 and 7 h 13 min on June 21, counted from sunrise to sunset.
Does it rain a lot in Ushuaia?
It rains often, but not much. According to the SMN, 457.6 mm fall per year, with 99 days of at least 1 mm, spread over every month: none gets more than 47 mm.
Do tours run all year round?
Our programs do not set departure months, so dates are confirmed on request: check availability for your date. The End of the World Train runs 365 days a year.
