Penguins in Punta Arenas: Tours, Tips & Isla Magdalena Guide
Did you know that there are penguins in Punta Arenas? I didn’t!
When we were planning our trip to Patagonia, we realised that we could go on a penguin-watching tour. I was shocked! For me penguins = Antarctica.
But no, there are penguins in South America, too, and it’s actually quite easy to visit them.
Where to see penguins in Punta Arenas
In short, there are two places to see penguins in Punta Arenas: Isla Magdalena and Tierra del Fuego. Isla Magdalena is home to thousands of Magellanic penguins and is the most popular and easiest option to visit. On the other hand, Tierra del Fuego is where you can see King penguins, but it requires a longer and more demanding trip.
We personally recommend Isla Magdalena, as it’s closer, more convenient, and you’re almost guaranteed to see a large number of penguins.
The tours to Isla Magdalena usually run from October to April (Austral summer), when thousands of penguins come here to breed.
You don’t feel like reading the whole article? Book a tour to see the Magellanic Penguins here!
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Isla Magdalena vs Tierra del Fuego
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Option | Isla Magdalena | Tierra del Fuego |
|---|---|---|
| Penguins | Magellanic penguins | King penguins |
| Distance | Close to Punta Arenas | Far from Punta Arenas |
| Time needed | Half-day trip | Full-day trip |
| Experience | Walk among penguins | Observe from a distance |
| Number of penguins | Thousands | Fewer penguins |
| Accessibility | Easy (boat tour) | More complex (ferry + drive) |
| Best for | Most travelers | If you specifically want to see King penguins |
King penguins (Tierra del Fuego)
The King penguins are on Tierra del Fuego – a huge island in Patagonia, in a park called Parque Penguino Rey. It’s quite far from Punta Arenas, so visiting them usually requires a full-day trip.
Most tours include not only the penguin colony but also stops in places like Porvenir or Cerro Sombrero.
Theoretically, you can visit the Penguino Rey Park by yourself, too. Just board the ferry to Tierra del Fuego (the port is not too far from Punta Arenas) and drive to the park. You’d just need to rent a car for that, which is, anyway, our suggested way of exploring Patagonia.
Magellanic penguins (Isla Magdalena)
The Magellanic penguins are on an island near Punta Arenas called Isla Magdalena. The island is located just off the coast of Punta Arenas in the Strait of Magellan and is home to some 120 thousand penguins.
You can join a tour to Isla Magdalena or visit on your own.
If you go on your own, you have to take the normal ferry which is rather slow. So basically you’d spend a long time on the water (sometimes even more than 2 hours) and have to worry about getting back.
Most tours use speedboats and include guides who point things out along the way. Many also visit Isla Marta, where you can see sea lions and seals.
We definitely recommend joining one of the tours – it was one of the highlights of our whole trip to Patagonia!
Which penguin island should you choose?
When we visited Patagonia, we chose to go on a tour to see the Magellanic penguins in Punta Arenas. For us, it was the perfect option!
The main reason for us was timing. The tour only takes half a day, so we were able to see the penguins in the morning and continue to Torres del Paine in the afternoon.
Second, and this is just a small reason, with the King penguins, you are at quite a distance from them and see not too many. With the Magellanic ones on Isla Magdalena, you’ll see hundreds of penguins up close, which makes it much more memorable.
And last, Tierra del Fuego requires just way too much driving to see penguins – so if that’s your main objective, the Tierra del Fuego tours won’t be for you, either.
What to expect on a penguin tour to Isla Magdalena
Getting to Isla Magdalena
Our trip to see penguins in Punta Arenas started with a pick-up from our hotel. Basically, all of the tours say – the meeting point is at 1255 José Nogueira Street in Punta Arenas. The meeting is at 6:30 in the morning, and you’re supposed to be at least 10 minutes early. The bus leaves on time!
From there, a bus takes you to Laredo port, where you board a speedboat.
The ride to Isla Magdalena takes about 45 minutes.
Exploring Isla Magdalena
All of the tours give the guests an hour to explore the island.
If you get overwhelmed by loud noises, make sure to bring some noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, or something like LOOPs. The penguins are LOUD.
There are specially marked footpaths which you have to use. Isla Magdalena is a natural monument called Los Pingüinos managed by CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) so the whole island is protected.
The paths lead to a lighthouse, which offers a great view of the island, so make sure to find time to go there as well.
On your way to the lighthouse, you’ll get to see hundreds of little caves where little baby penguins are. We actually managed to see some – they are very, very cute!
And not just penguins. There are Albatros de Ceja Negra, Skuas, Gaviotines, Cormorants and Dominican Gulls on Isla Magdalena. So keep your eyes wide open!
If you’d like to hear more about the island and the penguins, make sure to be close to the guides. All of the tours have bilingual guides.
The Magdalena Island penguin colony is huge!
Isla Marta
You can’t really see anything in that video, so here’s a zoomed-in picture.
After visiting Isla Magdalena, if the weather allows, the next stop is Isla Marta. There, the Zodiac (boat) doesn’t land – at least not in our case – but you get to see sea lions, seals, and of course, gulls.
We sailed around the little island for a bit and went back to Punta Arenas.
Depending on the season, it’s sometimes possible to spot whales or dolphins as well, although we weren’t that lucky.
Arriving back from the tour
After the tour, the boat takes you back to Laredo port, from where a bus returns you to Punta Arenas.
From what I’ve seen, most tours don’t offer hotel drop-off anymore, so you should expect to end up back at the original meeting point.
After the tour, we were starving so we picked up our luggage (left it in the hotel) and went for lunch in the city.
We had the long way to Torres del Paine in front of us!
Where to book Magellanic penguin tours
There are quite a few places where you can book penguin tours from Punta Arenas. If you’d like to compare options, check out:
Booking through platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide usually gives you more flexibility, including free cancellation close to the tour date. That can be helpful if your plans change or the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Most tours are very similar and often use the same boats and routes, so the overall experience doesn’t vary that much between providers. It’s usually more about availability, timing, and booking conditions than choosing a specific company.
Tours to Isla Magdalena often sell out during peak season, so it’s a good idea to book in advance.
What you need to take on a penguin tour
Make sure to bring a few essentials with you, especially since the weather in Patagonia can change quickly.
- Passport
- Your tour voucher
- Water
- Snacks or proper food
- Warm clothes – it’s usually windy and cold in Patagonia, even in the summer
- Camera
- Something for sea sickness – just in case
The most important things to know about visiting penguins in Punta Arenas
Before you go, here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- You need a passport to board the ferry.
- None of the tours offer food. Some offer coffee and tea on board the boat (also called Zodiac)
- Pregnant people, people with serious health problems, and wheelchair users are not allowed.
- The tour can be cancelled last minute if the weather conditions are not good.
- Tours to visit penguins on Isla Magdalena are run from October until March.
- You are not allowed to touch the penguins!
- Penguins have right of way on the footpaths, so if you see that a penguin is about to cross, you must stop.
FAQs about penguins in Punta Arenas
Where can you see penguins in Punta Arenas?
You can see penguins on Isla Magdalena and on Tierra del Fuego. Isla Magdalena is the most popular option, as it’s closer and home to thousands of Magellanic penguins.
What is the best penguin tour in Punta Arenas?
Most tours to Isla Magdalena are very similar and use the same boats and routes. The best option usually depends on availability, timing, and cancellation conditions rather than the specific provider. You can check the tours option here.
When is the best time to see penguins in Punta Arenas?
The penguin season runs from October to March, during the Austral summer, when thousands of penguins come to Isla Magdalena to breed.
How long is the penguin tour in Punta Arenas?
Tours to Isla Magdalena typically take around half a day, including transport, boat ride, and about one hour on the island.
Can I visit Isla Magdalena without a tour?
Yes, but it’s less convenient. The regular ferry is slower and less flexible, so most travelers choose organized tours.
Are there penguins in Punta Arenas?
Yes, there are penguins in Punta Arenas. The most common are Magellanic penguins on Isla Magdalena, and you can also see King penguins on Tierra del Fuego.
Where to see penguins in Punta Arenas?
The two main places are Isla Magdalena (most popular) and Tierra del Fuego (less common, but home to King penguins).
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