Punta Tombo Penguin Cruise Shore Excursion from Puerto Madryn

Nearly a million penguins, guanacos, a dinosaur replica, and the streets of Puerto Madryn in one morning

A shore excursion from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, South America's largest Magellanic penguin colony, with a bilingual guide, box lunch and air-conditioned transport. The tour runs seven hours total, including the drive, one to one and a half hours at the penguin colony itself, and a brief city tour of Puerto Madryn if time allows. Designed for cruise passengers, it times the return to the pier so you don't miss your ship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Punta Tombo and Puerto Madryn

• Travel to Punta Tombo
• Walk among Magellanic penguins
• See guanacos and Patagonian hares
• Return to Puerto Madryn
• Photo stop at dinosaur replica
• Tour Puerto Madryn city
• Drop off at pier

The experience

The drive to Punta Tombo takes between two and two and a half hours across Patagonian landscape. Once there, you walk among thousands of Magellanic penguins: nearly one million gather at this colony from September through April to breed and molt. The penguins are the main draw, but the area also holds guanacos and Patagonian hares, and your guide speaks both Spanish and English, so the stories behind what you're seeing come through clearly. You spend one to one and a half hours on the ground at Punta Tombo itself.

On the return to Puerto Madryn, the route includes a fifteen-minute stop at the world's largest dinosaur replica for photos. If your schedule allows, there's a guided tour of the city itself, roughly thirty minutes, before you're dropped at the pier. The whole outing is built around cruise timing, so the return is coordinated with your ship's departure window.

Transport is air-conditioned. You get bottled water throughout the day and a box lunch with regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options. The vehicle and all areas are wheelchair accessible, and the tour suits all fitness levels. Entrance to Punta Tombo itself is not included in the price.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport with a bilingual guide in Spanish and English.
• bottled water.
• box lunch with regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 15 Apr 2027

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Sussanich Turismo

Is this one for you?Book this if your Princess cruise docks in Puerto Madryn and you want a guided walk through the penguin colony rather than a bus tour. The route keeps you on foot among the birds for closer observation.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long do I actually spend watching the penguins at Punta Tombo?

One to one and a half hours on the ground at the colony itself, where you walk among the birds. The full tour is seven hours from pickup to drop-off at the pier, which includes the two to two and a half hour drive each way.

Will I have time to get back to my ship before it leaves?

Yes, the tour is designed for cruise passengers and timed so the return to the pier fits your ship's schedule. The guide coordinates the route and pacing with your departure window.

What else is there to see besides the penguins?

Guanacos and Patagonian hares live in the area around Punta Tombo. On the way back, you stop for photos at the world's largest dinosaur replica, and if time allows, you get a guided tour of Puerto Madryn's cultural and historical sites.

Is the tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, all areas and surfaces at the sites are accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if you need them.

What's included in the lunch?

A box lunch with regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options, plus bottled water throughout the day. The entrance fee to Punta Tombo is separate.