Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas

4.2 (111 reviews) 5 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

111 reviews

4.2

Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 5 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 66 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Gray Line Chile

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Professional guide
Included: Snacks
Included: Transfer from the meeting point to the pier
Included: Boat tour
Included: Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified
Not included: Airport pickup and drop-off
Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing 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.
Isla Magdalena

2 hours Admission included

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

one hour Admission included

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

Passing 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).

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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

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.

Using your ticket

Note: Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants. You can call or email Gray Line Chile at

+562 2244 4141 or

[email protected] to provide these details at least 3 days before your tour.

Please note: On peak season (Christmas Holidays, Cruise dates) the departure time of your tour may vary depending on availability. We will letting you know if there's a modification between the time.

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Remember that this tour

does not include roundtrip transportation from/to your Hotel in Punta Arenas, you must approach directly to the departure point located in Jose Nogueira #1255, Punta Arenas at 6:30 AM.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least 2 days before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: On peak season (Christmas, Holidays, Cruise dates, November to March) the departure time of your tour is at 06:30 am, In case that we don't have more availability, we will be letting you know if we have to reschedule your departure time due availability.
In case that you are a cruise passenger, once you booked the tour, please contact us to confirm departure availability at 10:00 am.