Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas

4.1
(92 reviews)

5 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Experience your own ‘March of the Penguins’ on Magdalena Island during a morning tour by boat from Punta Arenas. After cruising across the Strait of Magellan, land on this protected nature reserve and marvel at the thousands of Magellanic penguins milling about on the pebbly terrain that serves as their breeding grounds. Follow your guide along a cordoned-off path leading up to a lighthouse, where you'll learn about the island’s ecosystem. Weather permitting, cruise by Isla Marta to observe sea lions and elephant seals.

What's Included

Professional guide
Snacks
Transfer from the meeting point to the pier
Boat tour
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Airport pickup and drop-off
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
José Nogueira 1255

Your incredible experience will begin directly at the meeting point, located in Jose Nogueira #1255, Punta Arenas, at the office of the local provider. Remember that you have to be at 06:30am at the meeting point.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • José Nogueira 1255 (Pass by)

    Dress warmly and get ready to join this tour which will start at a meeting point in Punta Arenas and then travel with the rest of the group to the pier. Remember that you have to be at 06:30am at the meeting point located in José Nogueira #1255, Punta Arenas. Climb aboard a large powerboat and head north for about 40 minutes on the Strait of Magellan. If you’re lucky, you may glimpse panda dolphins leaping out of the choppy grey waters.

    Admission ticket free
  • 1
    Isla Magdalena

    Arrive at the small and rocky Magdalena Island, also called Los Pinguinos Natural Monument, a protected nature reserve and park since 1982, and a breeding site for Magellanic penguins. Even before the boat docks, you’ll see thousands of penguins crowding the shores and hear their squawking. During the summer, approximately 120,000 penguins occupy the island. Disembark and spend about an hour here with your guide, keeping to the designated trail roped off for visitors. These curious birds, about 2 feet (61 cm) tall, will cross your path and may approach you, but you'll be instructed not to touch or feed them. On either side of the trail, see hundreds of burrows in the ground, about a foot (30 cm) in diameter, each populated by a pair of penguins. Watch penguins pop in and out of the holes, where eggs are laid, and others excavate new burrows by flinging aside heaps of dirt with their webbed feet. Your guide may point out cormorants and Andean seagulls on the island as well. Reach the highest point on the island and enter a lighthouse, which houses exhibits explaining the penguins’ habitat and breeding cycles, the history of the strait and the rich ecosystems of nearby islands.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Isla Marta

    Then warm up with coffee and snack on biscuits (provided) before leaving the island. On your way back, if the weather permits, your captain may pass by Isla Marta, where you can snap shots of sea lions and elephant seals lounging on the rocky outcrop.

    1 hour Admission ticket included
  • Punta Arenas (Pass by)

    After a marvelous morning with penguins, your tour will end in Punta Arenas at the same meeting point in the morning (José Nogueira #1255, Punta Arenas).

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • It is recommended that you wear comfortable, warm clothes and trekking shoes or boots
  • Please bring a jacket or sweater, a scarf, hat, sunglasses and water
  • Important: Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
  • Seasonal product operating October to March
Supplied by Gray Line Chile

Show 2 more

Tags

Nature and Wildlife Tours
Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Water Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Involves Animals
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 2 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Show more

Rating

4.1 Based on 92 92 reviews
5 stars
55
4 stars
16
3 stars
7
2 stars
3
1 star
11
Likely to sell out
from per person
Was {{currencySymbol}}{{ summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount }}