Wildlife tour Punta Tombo and Isla Escondida from Puerto Madryn

Walk among the world's largest mainland penguin colony and watch four-ton elephant seals from the shore.

This guided tour from Puerto Madryn visits Punta Tombo, home to the world's largest mainland colony of Magellanic penguins, and Isla Escondida, a refuge for elephant seals. You walk a 1500-meter interpretive trail with two ocean-facing viewpoints where penguins exhibit seasonal behaviors (nesting, territorial fights, chick-rearing) depending on the month. A bilingual guide leads the full outing, which includes hotel pickup and coffee or tea. Entry to Punta Tombo is available as an add-on at checkout. Weather permitting, the return includes a city tour of Puerto Madryn.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife watching and city tour

• Travel to Punta Tombo Natural Area
• Walk 1500m interpretive trail
• Observe Magellanic penguins at viewpoints
• Visit Isla Escondida to see elephant seals
• Return to Puerto Madryn
• Optional city tour if time allows

The experience

The tour starts with a drive to Punta Tombo, a protected reserve holding the world's largest mainland Magellanic penguin colony. You walk an interpretive trail that runs 1500 meters through the reserve, passing two ocean-facing viewpoints where you watch the penguins in their natural habitat. What you see depends on when you visit: in breeding season you'll watch them dig burrows and guard nests. In other months you'll see territorial disputes and chick-rearing. The trail is designed to let you move at your own pace while the guide explains the colony's ecology and the penguins' life cycle.

After Punta Tombo, the tour heads to Isla Escondida, a beach that has become a refuge for elephant seals: the largest seal species in the world. These animals can weigh up to four tons, and you'll observe them from a privileged distance as they rest and interact on the shore. The contrast between the penguin colony and the elephant seal habitat gives the day two distinct wildlife moments in one outing.

On the return to Puerto Madryn, if conditions allow, your guide will take you on a brief city tour to learn about the local area's history. The full outing runs about seven hours. A bilingual guide (English and Spanish) leads the entire experience, and hotel pickup is included. Coffee and tea are provided during the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return to Puerto Madryn.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• coffee and/or tea during the tour.
• weather-permitting city tour of Puerto Madryn on the return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to7h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 36 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Animal Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a bilingual guide explaining the wildlife and local history as you move between locations. Choose it over a self-guided option if context matters more than flexibility.

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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 (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What's the Magellanic penguin colony at Punta Tombo actually like when I get there?

Punta Tombo holds the world's largest mainland colony of Magellanic penguins. You walk a 1500-meter trail with two viewpoints overlooking the ocean where you watch the penguins in their natural habitat. The behaviors you see (nesting, fighting over territory, caring for chicks) shift with the season, so the colony looks and acts differently depending on the month you visit.

Can I see the elephant seals up close, or do I watch from far away?

Isla Escondida offers a privileged viewing distance where you can observe the elephant seals (animals that can weigh up to four tons) as they rest and interact on the beach. You're close enough to see their behavior without disturbing them.

How long does the whole tour take, and what's included?

The tour runs about seven hours from pickup to return. It includes hotel pickup, a bilingual guide in English and Spanish, and coffee or tea during the outing. Entry to Punta Tombo is available as an optional add-on at checkout. Lunch is not included.

Is this tour accessible if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the transportation is wheelchair accessible as well. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, or an infant can sit on an adult's lap. Specialized infant seats are available. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.