Punta Tombo Penguin Colony Tour: Walk Among Millions

Walk among millions of waddling penguins and watch their chicks hatch nearby

This shore excursion from Puerto Madryn takes cruise passengers to Punta Tombo, the world's largest Magellanic penguin colony, where you walk among the birds, watch their nests and young, and photograph them up close. A guide in English or Spanish leads the tour. The itinerary includes a 15-minute stop at the Trelew Titanosaur replica and guarantees return to your ship two hours before departure. Box lunch and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit penguins and city stops

• Stop at Trelew Titanosaur replica
• Explore Punta Tombo penguin colony
• Walk among Magellanic penguins
• Take photos of penguins
• Optional short Puerto Madryn city tour

The experience

The tour starts with a 15-minute stop in Trelew to see the Titanosaur replica: a full-scale model of the world's largest dinosaur. From there, you spend about two hours at Punta Tombo Natural Area itself, walking directly among the penguins in their habitat. You'll see their nests, watch the young birds, and get close enough to photograph them. The guides explain their behavior and natural history throughout. The colony holds millions of birds, so the scale alone is something most wildlife tours cannot match.

Your guide speaks English and Spanish and stays with the group the entire time. The operator guarantees you'll return to your ship at least two hours before it departs: a hard commitment for cruise passengers. If the timing allows, you get a complimentary 20-minute city tour of Puerto Madryn on the way back. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the site is wheelchair accessible with paved surfaces throughout.

Box lunch (regular, vegetarian, or gluten-free) and bottled water come with the tour. Park admission is separate and costs around USD 25 per person. The total time away from your ship is about seven hours, though most of that is travel and the Punta Tombo stop itself. The Trelew dinosaur adds context but takes only a few minutes.

What’s included

• Box lunch in regular, vegetarian, or gluten-free options.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned transport.
• guide in English and Spanish throughout the tour.
• complimentary city tour of Puerto Madryn if time allows.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (19 to 79 years) · Senior (80 and older) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 22

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 3 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.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Odisea Patagonica

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're a cruise passenger with a few hours ashore and want to see wildlife in scale: millions of penguins in one place is not something you'll find on a standard city excursion. The guaranteed return time two hours before departure means you can commit without worrying about missing your ship.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): 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.

How close can I actually get to the penguins at Punta Tombo?

You walk among them in their natural habitat, close enough to photograph and observe their nests and young birds. The colony is so large that you're surrounded by penguins, though the guides will direct you to stay on designated paths and respect the animals' space.

Will I make it back to my cruise ship on time?

Yes, the operator guarantees return at least two hours before your ship departs. They always aim to arrive even earlier, which sometimes leaves time for the complimentary Puerto Madryn city tour.

What's included in the box lunch?

A box lunch is included with the tour. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Bottled water comes with it as well. You'll eat during the excursion, likely at or near Punta Tombo.

What is the Trelew stop about?

Trelew is a 15-minute stop to see and photograph a full-scale replica of the Titanosaur, the world's largest dinosaur. It's a brief addition to the route on the way to Punta Tombo, adding context to Patagonia's prehistoric past.

Is the penguin colony accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. Punta Tombo Natural Area is wheelchair accessible with all surfaces paved, and the vehicle itself is wheelchair accessible. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.