Punta Tombo penguin colony tour from Puerto Madryn: Small groups

Walk a 3-kilometer trail through a Magellanic penguin colony on volcanic red rocks above the sea.

A full-day tour from Puerto Madryn combines Punta Tombo penguin reserve with Isla Escondida elephant seals and Patagonian wildlife on ripio trails, led by a bilingual guide in a small group with hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport. The tour includes a 3-kilometer walking trail through the penguin colony, free time at Playa Union beach, and stops at a dinosaur replica and coastal viewpoints. Lunch is on your own at the reserve's deli or by picnic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Patagonian wildlife and landscapes

• Pickup from accommodation in Puerto Madryn
• Short city tour of Puerto Madryn
• Visit Patagotitan Mayorum dinosaur replica
• Free time at Playa Union beach resort
• Optional 1.5-hour dolphin sighting sailing
• Visit Isla Escondida Beach to see elephant seals
• Observe guanacos en route to Punta Tombo
• Walk 3 km trail among Magellanic Penguins at Punta Tombo
• Free time for lunch at DeliStore or picnic
• Return to Puerto Madryn accommodation

The experience

Puerto Madryn is the starting point: the guide picks you up at your accommodation, then the route heads south through the city before turning inland toward Trelew. The first stop is a replica of the Patagotitan Mayorum, the largest dinosaur found to date, which gives context to the Patagonian landscape you'll cross for the rest of the day. From there, the tour continues to Playa Union beach, where you have free time to walk the coast and photograph the shoreline. A 1.5-hour optional boat ride to spot Overas Toninas dolphins is available here at extra cost.

The route then deviates to Isla Escondida Beach, where elephant seals rest just 15 meters from the shore: a stop that breaks up the drive and lets you observe them at close range. On the ripio trails heading toward Punta Tombo, watch for guanacos crossing the open steppe. Once at Punta Tombo, you walk a 3-kilometer trail through the reserve, moving among Magellanic penguins on volcanic red rocks that drop to the blue sea. The landscape and timing mean you may also spot guanacos, choiques, maras and martinetas. After the trail, you have free time for lunch at the on-site DeliStore or to eat your own food before the drive back to Puerto Madryn.

The tour runs 11 hours door-to-door and keeps groups small for privacy. Your guide speaks English, Spanish and Italian, and the vehicle is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. All areas of Punta Tombo and Isla Escondida are accessible, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the 3-kilometer walk is on natural terrain.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup in Puerto Madryn.
• access to Punta Tombo reserve and the 3-kilometer penguin trail.
• stops at Isla Escondida elephant seal colony and the Patagotitan Mayorum dinosaur replica.
• free time at Playa Union beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 136

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Dos Océanos Viajes

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want a guided full-day route through multiple coastal sites with hotel pickup included, rather than self-driving or piecing together separate excursions.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is at Punta Tombo that makes it worth a full day?

Punta Tombo is a penguin reserve where Magellanic penguins nest and rest on volcanic red rocks overlooking the sea. You walk a 3-kilometer trail through the colony itself, moving among the birds on their own ground rather than viewing them from a distance or a boardwalk.

Can I see other wildlife besides penguins on this tour?

Yes. Isla Escondida has elephant seals hauled out 15 meters from shore. On the ripio trails to Punta Tombo, guanacos often cross the steppe in front of the vehicle. At the reserve itself, you may also see choiques, maras and martinetas depending on the season and time of day.

How does the pickup work if I'm staying in Puerto Madryn?

The guide collects you from your accommodation in Puerto Madryn at the start of the day. After a short tour of the city, the route heads south toward Trelew and then to the coast.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Lunch is not included. At Punta Tombo, you have free time to eat at the on-site DeliStore or bring your own food and picnic at the reserve.

What is the optional boat ride at Playa Union, and does it cost extra?

The "Sighting of Toninas Overas" is a 1.5-hour sailing trip from Playa Union through the mouth of the Chubut River to spot Overas Toninas dolphins, the smallest and most acrobatic dolphin species in the region. It is optional and costs extra. The tour includes free time at the beach whether or not you take the boat.