Punta Tombo Penguins Cruise: 2 Million Magellan Penguins

Walk among 2 million Magellan penguins at one of South America's largest breeding grounds.

This guided tour takes cruise passengers from Puerto Madryn south to Punta Tombo, a 210-hectare protected reserve and the largest mainland penguin colony in South America. You walk the designated paths through thousands of nesting Magellan penguins, from October through April, the breeding season when chicks hatch and practice swimming in tidal pools. The seven-hour excursion includes air-conditioned transport, a packed lunch, bottled water and a live guide in English or Spanish, timed to get you back to your ship. Entry to the reserve costs 29 USD per person and is paid separately at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve

• Depart from Puerto Madryn
• Travel 120 miles to Punta Tombo
• Walk among Magellan penguin nests
• Respect walking paths in reserve
• Return to Puerto Madryn
• Catch cruise ship departure

The experience

Your ship docks in Puerto Madryn, and this tour picks you up for the 120-mile drive south along Route 3. The landscape shifts from pavement to gravel as you travel deeper into Patagonia, and the reserve itself sits at the end of that road: far enough out that a self-guided visit would mean renting a car or negotiating a local taxi. The tour handles the logistics, which matters when you have a ship departure to make.

Punta Tombo is home to approximately 2 million Magellan penguins. The reserve was established in 1979 and operates September through April, the months when the birds arrive to nest and raise their young. You walk marked paths through the rookery. The nests are dense, and the birds are everywhere. In February especially, the shallow tidal pools fill with penguin chicks learning to swim. The guide explains what you're seeing and keeps the group on the protected routes that let the colony function without disturbance. This is not a drive-by. You're on foot among the birds for hours.

The return journey gives you enough time to reach Puerto Madryn and board your ship. You'll have a packed lunch (a chicken or vegetarian sandwich, a brownie or cereal bar, fruit or granola, and bottled water) eaten somewhere along the drive or at the reserve. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters on a long day in Patagonia.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport from Puerto Madryn and back.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• a packed lunch with a choice of chicken or vegetarian sandwich, a brownie or cereal bar, and fresh fruit or granola.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by GET

Is this one for you?Book this if you're on a cruise ship: the included pickup and return timing are built around port schedules, so you'll make your departure without coordinating separate transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What are Magellan penguins and why do they gather at Punta Tombo?

Magellan penguins (Spheniscus magallanicus) are a species native to South America, and Punta Tombo is their largest mainland breeding ground. Approximately 2 million birds arrive each year from October through April to nest, lay eggs and raise chicks before returning to the ocean.

Can I walk right up to the penguins, or do I stay at a distance?

You walk among the nests on designated paths throughout the reserve. The paths are designed to let you see thousands of birds up close while protecting the colony's breeding areas and nesting sites.

What happens if my cruise ship arrives late or I'm worried about making it back in time?

The seven-hour tour is scheduled to get you back to Puerto Madryn with time to spare before typical ship departures. If your ship has an unusual schedule, confirm the timing when you book so the operator can confirm the tour works for your arrival and departure times.

Is the entry fee to Punta Tombo included in the tour price?

No. The reserve entry fee is 29 USD per person, paid separately at the gate when you arrive. Everything else (transport, guide, lunch and water) is included in the tour price.

What's the drive like, and how much time do I actually spend at the penguin colony?

The drive from Puerto Madryn is 120 miles each way on a mix of paved and gravel road. Most of the seven-hour tour is split between travel time and your time walking the reserve itself. You'll have several hours on foot among the penguins and nests.