Punta Tombo penguin tour from Puerto Madryn: Cruise excursion

Punta Tombo's Magellanic penguins on their own ground

A shore excursion from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve for cruise passengers, with a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water. The tour waits 30 minutes for passengers to disembark, then drives 1.3 hours to the reserve where you walk the marked paths among thousands of nesting Magellanic penguins and their chicks. Return transport to the Luis Piedra Buena pier is timed to the ship's schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve visit

• Wait 30 minutes after boat mooring
• Drive 1.3 hours to Punta Tombo
• Explore Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve
• Return to Luis Piedra Buena pier

The experience

Punta Tombo sits 1.3 hours south of Puerto Madryn on the Patagonian coast. The reserve protects one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in the world, and the tour is built around the hour or more you spend on the marked paths watching the birds at their nesting sites. Chicks in their downy plumage move between rocks and burrows while adults return from the ocean with food. The paths keep you at a safe distance and let you move at your own pace through the colony.

The day starts when the ship docks: your guide meets you at the pier, waits 30 minutes for all passengers to clear customs, then drives the group south in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water on board. Once at Punta Tombo, you follow the reserve's walking routes among the penguins for as long as the itinerary allows. The guide narrates in English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on which option you book. After you've covered the paths, the drive back to Puerto Madryn takes the same 1.3 hours, and the return to the Luis Piedra Buena pier is timed so you're back before the ship departs.

The tour runs six hours total from pier to pier. Entrance to the reserve itself is not included in the tour price and is paid separately at the gate. Lunch is not provided, though the timing gives you a window to eat before or after depending on your ship's schedule. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and strollers, prams and specialized infant seats are available with advance notice.

What’s included

• Live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• pickup and return transport from the Luis Piedra Buena pier in Puerto Madryn.

Options for this experience

2 options

SIB Punta Tombo shore excursion, in English07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Shared option, lasting 6 hours. Not included: van or minivan transport. Pickup is included.

Private in languageGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Minivan for up to 15 passengers: private service for groups of up to 18 people, includes a box lunch, minimum of 4 passengers. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to10h before

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

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by DIAGUES SRL

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you're traveling with family or a small group and want the guide's full attention. The shared excursion keeps costs lower and pairs you with other cruise passengers on the same schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

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

How long is the drive from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo?

The drive to Punta Tombo takes 1.3 hours each way. After the 30-minute wait at the pier for all cruise passengers to disembark, you'll head south along the coast to reach the reserve.

What are Magellanic penguins and what will I see at Punta Tombo?

Magellanic penguins are a species native to the South Atlantic coast of South America. At Punta Tombo, thousands of them nest in burrows and among rocks along the shoreline. You'll see adults tending eggs or chicks, chicks in their downy plumage exploring their surroundings, and birds returning from the ocean with food for their young.

Is entrance to Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve included in the tour price?

No, entrance to the reserve is paid separately at the gate and is not included in the tour cost. You'll pay the reserve fee when you arrive.

Will the tour get me back to the ship on time?

Yes. The return drive to the Luis Piedra Buena pier in Puerto Madryn is timed to the ship's departure schedule, and the 30-minute wait at the start accounts for the time it takes all cruise passengers to clear the vessel.