Punta Tombo Shore Tour for NCL Star: Walk Among Penguins

Thousands of Magellanic penguins, guanacos, a dinosaur replica, and Puerto Madryn's harbor story

This shore excursion takes NCL Star passengers from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, South America's largest Magellanic penguin colony, where you walk among thousands of penguins in their natural habitat for one to one and a half hours. The seven-hour tour includes a guided drive of two to two and a half hours each way, a box lunch with dietary options, a brief stop at the world's largest dinosaur replica, and a guided tour of Puerto Madryn before return to the ship. A live guide speaks Spanish and English throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Punta Tombo and Puerto Madryn

• Travel to Punta Tombo colony
• Walk among Magellanic penguins
• See guanacos and Patagonian hares
• Return to Puerto Madryn
• Photo stop at dinosaur replica
• Guided tour of Puerto Madryn
• Return to pier

The experience

How much time do you have between leaving the ship and getting back to the dock? That answer decides whether this excursion works for your port day. The full tour runs seven hours from pickup to return, which means you're committing most of your time in Puerto Madryn to the journey itself: two to two and a half hours driving each way to reach Punta Tombo, then one to one and a half hours at the colony. If you're looking for a quick dip into the city or want to explore on your own, this is not the fit. If you want to see the largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America and can give the day to it, the drive is the price of entry.

The penguin colony at Punta Tombo is the draw. You walk among thousands of Magellanic penguins on the ground where they breed and nest, watching them move through their daily routines without barriers between you and them. The landscape is stark: rocky terrain, the Atlantic coast, and the birds themselves. While you're there, you'll also encounter guanacos and Patagonian hares, the wild relatives of llamas and the hares native to Patagonia. The guide speaks both Spanish and English, so the details of what you're seeing come through clearly. On the return drive, if time allows, you stop for photos at the world's largest dinosaur replica, a fifteen-minute pause, and then roll through Puerto Madryn itself for a guided tour of the city's harbor, culture and history before the guide drops you at the pier.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries you the whole way; bottled water is provided; lunch is a box meal with regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options. The tour is wheelchair accessible, surfaces are accessible throughout, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children. The one thing not included is the entrance fee to Punta Tombo, which runs around twenty dollars per person and is paid on arrival.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• a live guide fluent in Spanish and English.
• a box lunch with your choice of regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options.
• a guided tour of Puerto Madryn on the return.
• and timed return to the ship dock.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Sussanich Turismo

Is this one for you?At seven hours door-to-door, this tour fills most of a port day, leaving little room for independent exploration or a second activity in Puerto Madryn. Choose it if you want to see the penguin colony and can commit the time. Skip it if you prefer a shorter outing or want flexibility to wander the city on your own.

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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 is the drive to Punta Tombo from Puerto Madryn?

The drive takes between two and two and a half hours each way, so plan on four to five hours of travel time for the round trip alone.

How much time do I actually spend at the penguin colony?

You'll have one to one and a half hours at Punta Tombo to walk among the penguins and see the other wildlife on the reserve.

What are Magellanic penguins and why is Punta Tombo special?

Punta Tombo is home to the largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America. These penguins breed and nest on the rocky coast, and you walk among thousands of them in their natural habitat during your visit.

Is lunch included, and can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, lunch is a box meal included in the tour, with regular, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.

Will I have time to explore Puerto Madryn on my own?

The tour includes a guided city tour of Puerto Madryn on the return, but because the full excursion is seven hours and most of that is travel and time at Punta Tombo, there is no free time to explore the city independently.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. The vehicle and all areas you visit have accessible surfaces and transportation options designed for wheelchair users.