Punta Tombo Penguin Tour from Puerto Madryn: Small Group

Ninety minutes walking among thousands of nesting penguins, not watching them from a distance.

This guided shore excursion from Puerto Madryn takes you 120 miles south to Punta Tombo, a protected reserve of over 200 hectares and the largest mainland colony of Magellan penguins in South America. You spend 90 minutes on the reserve walking among the birds, with a professional English-speaking guide, and return with time to spare before your ship departs. Small vehicles, never coach buses, get you there early and keep groups under the crowds that larger tours bring.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Punta Tombo and return

• Meet and pick up at pier
• Drive 2.5 hours to Punta Tombo
• Walk among Magellan Penguins for 90 minutes
• Have lunch at Punta Tombo
• Stop in Trelew for restroom break
• Return to Puerto Madryn

The experience

The drive south from Puerto Madryn takes about two and a half hours on pavement and gravel, crossing 120 miles of Patagonian landscape. You'll arrive at Punta Tombo before the bulk of the day-trippers, which matters: the reserve opens September through April, and in February the beach fills with penguin chicks practicing in tidal pools. The guide walks you through the colony itself, not along a cordoned path. You're among the birds, watching them nest, feed their young, and move across the rocky terrain. The reserve spans 210 hectares and protects thousands of Magellan penguins that return each October to breed.

After your 90 minutes at Punta Tombo, you have the option to eat lunch at the reserve before heading back. The excursion includes a box lunch (meat empanada, chicken or grilled vegetable sandwich, alfajor, brownie, and water). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking. On the return drive, there's a restroom stop in Trelew if needed. The whole outing runs seven hours from pickup at the pier, timed so you reach your ship with time to spare.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and holds your group only: private service means you're not sharing seats with strangers or waiting for other pickups. The guide speaks English and can also lead in Spanish or French. Wheelchair accessibility is available, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the walk at Punta Tombo is on uneven ground among the penguins.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned private vehicle for your group.
• pickup and return to the pier.
• box lunch with meat empanada, sandwich, alfajor, brownie and water (vegetarian and gluten-free options on request).
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

4 options

Private service for up to 12 peopleUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Private service for up to 12 people, pickup is included

Private service for up to 6 peopleUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Private service for up to 6 people, pickup is included

Private service for up to 3 peopleUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Private service for up to 3 people, pickup is included

Private service for up to 2 peopleUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Private service for up to 2 people, 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 dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to10h before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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 14 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 group stays together in one vehicle and you want to reach the penguin reserve before the larger tour groups arrive.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

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

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

You have 90 minutes to walk the reserve. The protected area spans 210 hectares and is home to thousands of Magellan penguins, especially during February when chicks are learning to swim in the tidal pools.

Will I be on a bus with dozens of other cruise passengers?

No. This is a private service for your group only: up to 2, 6, or 12 people depending on which option you book. Small vehicles arrive before the large coach tours, so you experience the reserve with fewer crowds.

What's included in the box lunch?

The lunch includes a meat empanada, a chicken or grilled vegetable sandwich, an Argentinean alfajor, a brownie, and a bottle of water. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available if you let the operator know when you book.

How much time does the whole excursion take, and will I make it back to my ship?

The tour runs seven hours from pier pickup to return, including the two-and-a-half-hour drive each way and 90 minutes at Punta Tombo. It's timed so you have time to spare before your ship departs.