Punta Tombo Penguin Cruise Shore Excursion from Puerto Madryn

Watch thousands of Magellan penguins on their nesting grounds 120 miles south

A cruise shore excursion from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, Patagonia's largest continental penguin reserve, with a professional English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle and box lunch. The tour departs and returns at the pier, timed to fit cruise schedules. The reserve spans 210 hectares and is home to thousands of Magellan penguins that nest and raise chicks from October through April.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve

• Depart from Puerto Madryn pier
• Travel 120 miles on gravel road
• Arrive at Punta Tombo Reserve
• Walk designated paths to see penguins
• Enjoy box lunch during tour
• Return to Puerto Madryn pier

The experience

Your ship docks at Puerto Madryn and you have a few hours to spend. This tour picks you up at the pier and drives south through 120 miles of gravel road to Punta Tombo, a protected natural area created in 1979. The route itself crosses open Patagonian landscape: the kind of terrain that frames why the penguins nest here and nowhere else nearby. A professional guide who speaks English narrates the drive and explains what you're seeing.

At Punta Tombo, you walk designated paths through the reserve to watch the birds. Thousands of Magellan penguins live here year-round, but the colony swells from October onward when birds arrive to nest and raise chicks. In February, the beach fills with penguin chicks practicing in tidal pools. The paths are designed to let you see them without disturbing the colony. The reserve is open September through April, so timing depends on when your ship arrives.

The vehicle holds up to 18 passengers and runs air-conditioned for the full drive. A box lunch is included. Choose between a meat option (empanada and chicken sandwich), vegetarian, or gluten-free. The tour lasts about 6 hours on the ground, leaving time to return to the pier before your ship departs. If the ship doesn't dock on the day you booked, you pay nothing and receive a full refund.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking tour guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for up to 18 passengers.
• box lunch with a choice of meat, vegetarian or gluten-free options.
• all fees and taxes.
• pickup and return at the pier.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 25

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Sentir Patagonia Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if your ship docks at Puerto Madryn. We start and finish at the pier, and time the penguin colony visit to get you back before departure.

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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.

When can I visit Punta Tombo on this tour?

Punta Tombo is open to visitors from September through April. The penguin colony is largest and most active from October onward, when birds arrive to nest and raise chicks. In February, chicks practice swimming in tidal pools left by the tide.

How far is Punta Tombo from Puerto Madryn?

Punta Tombo lies 120 miles south of Puerto Madryn. The drive follows gravel road through open Patagonian terrain and takes several hours each way, which is why the tour is built around a cruise schedule that gives you time to return to the ship.

What's included in the box lunch?

The box lunch includes an empanada, chicken sandwich, an Argentinean alfajor, a brownie and a bottle of water. You can request a vegetarian or gluten-free meal when you book.

Does the tour wait if my ship is late docking?

The tour departs and returns at the pier. If you don't arrive at the pier within 45 minutes after the ship docks, the operator charges the full rate. If the ship doesn't dock at all, you pay nothing and receive a 100% refund.

What's the Magellan penguin and why is Punta Tombo important?

The Magellan penguin (Spheniscus Magallanicus) is the species that nests at Punta Tombo. The reserve is the largest continental colony of these penguins in the world. The 210-hectare protected area was established in 1979 to preserve the nesting grounds where thousands of birds return each year to breed and raise chicks.