Acatushun Museum

The Basics

Most visitors to the area come to cruise the Beagle Channel and explore the islands, known for their colonies of gentoo and Magellanic penguins. Many tours also include a visit to the Acatushun Museum to learn more about the region’s marine mammals. Inside, an innovative “underwater” display featuring life-size models of the animals alongside their skeletons helps bring the exhibits to life. Specimens include dolphins, porpoises, seals, whales, and sea lions, along with more than 80 different species of birds.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Visitors can explore the museum on a guided or self-guided tour.

• Information panels are available in English and Spanish.

• Plan up to an hour to visit the small museum.

How to Get There

The museum is located at Estancia Harberton along the coast of the Beagle Channel, around 53 miles (85 kilometers) east of Ushuaia. It’s easy to find along National Route 3, but most visitors opt to explore as part of a day trip from Ushuaia or a boat cruise along the Beagle Channel.

When to Get There

The Acatushun Museum is open daily from midmorning to evening from mid-October to mid-April only.

Estancia Harberton

The museum is part of Estancia Harberton, one of the oldest farms in the Tierra del Fuego region. In addition to visiting the museum, it’s possible to tour the historic farm, including the old shearing shed, carpenter’s workshop, boat house, and 19th-century terrace gardens. Preserved as a nature reserve, the farm is home to an impressive variety of native flora and provides a fascinating insight into life at the southernmost tip of the continent.