Embark on a boat tour from Punta Arenas to Magdalena Island and witness thousands of Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat. Explore the protected nature reserve, learn about the island’s ecosystem, and spot sea lions and elephant seals. Book your ‘March of the Penguins’ experience now!
Embark on a boat tour from Punta Arenas to Magdalena Island and witness thousands of Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat. Explore the protected nature reserve, learn about the island’s ecosystem, and spot sea lions and elephant seals. Book your ‘March of the Penguins’ experience now!
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José Nogueira 1255 - 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…
- José Nogueira 1255 - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Punta Arenas - 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).
- Professional guide
- Snacks
- Transfer from the meeting point to the pier
- Boat tour
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- 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
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Embark on a personal adventure akin to the ‘March of the Penguins’ on Magdalena Island with a morning boat tour from Punta Arenas. After sailing across the Strait of Magellan, you’ll land on this safeguarded nature reserve and get the chance to see the multitudes of Magellanic penguins gathered on the rocky landscape that forms their breeding ground….
Embark on a personal adventure akin to the ‘March of the Penguins’ on Magdalena Island with a morning boat tour from Punta Arenas. After sailing across the Strait of Magellan, you’ll land on this safeguarded nature reserve and get the chance to see the multitudes of Magellanic penguins gathered on the rocky landscape that forms their breeding ground. Join your guide along a designated path leading to a lighthouse, where you get to learn about the island’s ecology. Should weather conditions be favorable, enjoy a cruise by Isla Marta to witness sea lions and elephant seals.
- 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
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: On peak season (Christmas, Holidays, Cruise dates, November to March) the departure time of your tour may vary depending on availability, there are three possible departure times, which are 6:30/10:00/15:00hrs, the regular one is 6:30am BUT we will be letting you know if we have to reschedule your departure time due availability.
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.
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.