Penguin Colonies in South America: 15 Picked and Priced

1.Punta Arenas: Walk with Penguins on Magdalena & Marta Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 611 reviews · 5 hours · from $150Our pick

From Punta Arenas, ride to Laredo Bay and cross to Magdalena Island for an hour-long guided walk among wild Magellanic penguins. Continue to Marta Island, weather permitting, to watch Patagonian sea lions from the boat. English and Spanish guides, coffee, and the penguin-island entry fee are included.

“It was such a dream seeing those penguins! Guides were great! I am very grateful that they were able to accommodate me last minute when I asked to switch days for my tour. Everything went super smoothly and I had such a great time! Thank you so much!”

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2.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180

Spend five hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Ushuaia, visiting Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. An English and Spanish guide explains the wildlife and the SS Monte Cervantes story. You watch Magellanic and Papua penguins from the boat, not on foot.

“Fantastic all around. Lots of opportunity to see the penguins and sea lions. The boats stayed longer than other boats that came and went. Would highly recommend!”

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3.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92

From Ushuaia’s tourist pier, you’ll spend about five and a half hours on a catamaran through the Beagle Channel. Expect sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Chilean and Argentine scenery, and close views of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins at Martillo Island. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and a café is available onboard.

“Great trip to see the penguins and sea lions. Comfortable boat, cafe on board. Enough time at each stop to take pictures. Lots of explanations and history. Overall a great day. Recommend”

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4.Punta Arenas: Full-Day Whales, Penguins, and Glaciers Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 325 reviews · 14 hours · from $365Top rated

Leave Punta Arenas before dawn for a full day with Solo Expediciones. After a bus ride south, sail through the Strait of Magellan to Cape Froward and Francisco Coloane Marine Park. Look for humpback whales, Magellanic penguins, sea lions, dolphins, birds, waterfalls, and glaciers from a modern, heated boat with bilingual guides, meals, and hot drinks.

“Wonderful experience, the boat was super comfortable with heating on. The food was okay. The experience and the views are just incredible!”

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5.Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · 5 hours · from $178

Spend about five hours aboard a Catamaranes Canoero vessel from Ushuaia, sailing past Bird Island, Sea Lions Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. A bilingual guide explains the wildlife and scenery while you view Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the boat. Snacks, drinks, and souvenirs are sold onboard.

“Great activity & location with brilliant boat and tour guide provided!”

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6.Punta Arenas: Full Day Tierra del Fuego & King Penguins

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 179 reviews · 15 hours · from $110

Travel from Punta Arenas by ferry and minivan to Porvenir and the King Penguin Natural Reserve. Guides such as Christian, Alvaro, Katherine, and Valentina explain local wildlife, Selk'nam culture, and island history in English or Spanish. Expect about 15 hours, long drives, wind, and extra costs for lunch and park entry.

“Full Day Tierra del Fuego&King Penguins trip was fantastic and spectacular!!! Highly recommended.👍”

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7.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

From Ushuaia’s tourist port, you cruise the Beagle Channel for about five to six hours with bilingual guidance, onboard restrooms, a café, and indoor seating. See seabirds, sea lions, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Almanza, Gable Island, and penguins at Isla Martillo. The catamaran does not land on the islands.

“Overall is good. Just the initial part of trying to figure out what to do to get on board is frustrating. Need to provide more explicit instructions such as: 1. Go to this Kiosk at this location on the google map. 2. Report your name and retrieve an actual boarding ticket. 3. Head to this location on the google map to board. Instead of just indicating a meeting point without explanation. Who are we meeting? What do we show when we meet? etc.”

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8.Walk alongside Penguins on Magdalene Island and navigate Marta Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 116 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $140

Start early in Punta Arenas for a coach and boat ride to Isla Magdalena, where you walk for an hour among Magellanic penguins. Then circle Isla Marta for sea lions, cormorants, and other seabirds. Guides such as Sebastian and Rafael add useful commentary in English and Spanish. Expect cold, wind, possible rough water, and a group of up to 66 people.

“Scheduled for Mar 13, 2025 but cancelled due to “weather”. I checked the day before if weather would cause the tour to be cancelled and tour operator assured me they had no issues. We woke up at 5am to eat breakfast and get to the bus pick up by 6:15am. They loaded the bus nearly full with guests. We waited for 10 minutes for the bus to depart and instead they told us the tour had been canceled due to weather. FWIW, the forecast in Punta Arenas was 52 F, sunny, and max wind gusts of 25 mph so I’m not clear on why this is cancel-worthy weather. My partner…”

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9.Falkland Islands Shared Tour Sightseeing with Penguins

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $137

Join TravelFalklands for a 2-hour-40-minute small-group tour of Stanley, Yorke Bay, Lady Elizabeth shipwreck, and Gypsy Cove. Guides such as Sharon, Wendy, and Haley share local stories while you look for Magellanic, Gentoo, and sometimes King penguins. Expect short walks on rocky ground and sand, strong wind, and a maximum of 15 people.

“Guide and driver were exceptional. They went above and beyond. We really appreciated that they contacted us pre-tour to keep us current on the tour.”

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10.Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 107 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $160

Start early in Punta Arenas, ride a minivan to the pier, then cruise about 40 minutes to Magdalena Island. Follow a guided trail among thousands of wild Magellanic penguins, visit the lighthouse, and look for sea lions at Isla Marta. Guides such as Rodrigo and Sebastian add useful natural-history details. Expect cold, wind, rough water, and a six-hour morning.

“This is an amazing experience. To see sealines from a boat close to shore, and walk with the penguins is definately worth doing.”

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11.Punta Arenas: Magdalena Island Navigation & Penguin Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 73 reviews · 5 hours · from $209

Take a five-hour boat trip from Punta Arenas to Magdalena Island, part of the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument. A bilingual guide explains the wildlife in English and Spanish, then you get about one hour to walk near Magellanic penguins, Dominican gulls, albatrosses, and cormorants. Confirm your departure pier carefully.

“The island and the penguins were great but the trip was terrible. First off since it was advertised as shore excursion we assumed that we would have transportation. Nope After having their information translated by a taxi man we found out that we needed to take a taxi to the car ferry port We did get there on time but no one was there to help us. Someone else told us what to do. The car ferry cost $50 the taxi costs $10 and we paid $230 for what????? Don't waste your money.”

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12.Punta Arenas: King Penguin Park and Tierra del Fuego Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 67 reviews · 14 hours · from $180

From Punta Arenas, Atma and Hernandez guide a small group by van and ferry to King Penguin Park. You will visit Porvenir, Cerro Sombrero, and San Gregorio Estancia, with about 1 to 1.5 hours beside the penguins. Expect a scenic but transport-heavy 14-hour day.

“Look ima be honest, the main activity that is the penguin reserve is 1.5 hour, there’s no need to wander around in a bus all day, just take me to the penguins and that’s it, this tour was unnecessarily long.”

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13.Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 62 reviews · 5 hours · from $160

Travel from Punta Arenas through the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island, home to more than 60,000 breeding penguin couples in summer. You get about an hour ashore for the penguin trail, lighthouse, photos, and interpretation center. English and Spanish guides, boat transport, park entry, and tea or coffee are included.

“bereits im Bus ein paar Informationen zu Land und Leuten wäre sehr interessant gewesen. Auch auf dem Katamaran gab es nur wiederkehrende Verhaltensregeln bei den Pinguinen.”

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14.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Spend five hours on a catamaran from Ushuaia, sailing past Patagonian mountains, sea lion and cormorant colonies, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and the SS Monte Cervantes wreck site before reaching Martillo Island. Your English or Spanish guide explains local wildlife, history, and culture. Hotel pickup may be available from central hotels.

“Catamarano stra colmo di gente . As ogni attrattiva da vedere ci si ammassava fuori e se eri dietro non vedevi assolutamente nulla e la gente non si spostava. Siamo arrivati dai pinguini prima di tutte le altre barche e nonostante questo la nostra si é fermata dove c’erano solo una decina di pinguini mentre il “gruppo super grande “ non siamo riusciti a vederlo nemmeno ha fatto un giro per poter mostrare anche a chi non ha visto nulla. In prezzo assurdo si quasi 169€ a persona ! I peggio spesi. Sxonsiglko !!!meglio barca piccola”

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15.Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 10 hours · from $120

Travel from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo for a guided 3-kilometer walk among Magellanic penguins during breeding season. English and Spanish guides, hotel pickup, and air-conditioned transport are included. Guides such as Max and Mariana have led recent departures. Lunch, park entry, and optional dolphin watching or museum visits cost extra.

“it was great. both guide and driver were passionate about the tour”

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