Magdalena Island: Magellan Penguins & Sea Lions from Punta Arenas
120,000 Penguins Wait on Magdalena Island: a Four-Hour Boat Trip from Your Ship
You're transferred to the boat, sail across the Magellan Strait, pass Marta Island's sea lion colony, then spend an hour walking among thousands of Magellan penguins on Magdalena Island. The return crossing takes another 45 minutes. Plan for a 4-hour outing that finishes by 3 PM, and bring your passport. It's required at booking for all passengers.
Step-by-step itinerary
Magellan Strait and Penguin Reserve
- Pick up at meeting point
- Navigate 45 minutes to Magdalena Island
- Spend one hour with penguins
- Circumnavigate Marta Island without disembarking
- Navigate 45 minutes back to Punta Arenas
What’s included
- Transfer from the tour office to the boat departure point and return.
- Boat passage across the Magellan Strait to and from Magdalena Island.
- One hour on Magdalena Island within the Natural Monument Los Pinguinos.
- Viewing of Marta Island and its sea lion colony from the water.
- All navigation and boat operation.
Times
- Every day 06:30 10:00
Before you book
Operated by Top Private Tours
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The harbormaster at the office near the pier doesn't speak much English, but he points you toward the boat with a grin when you mention penguins. That's how you know you're in the right place. The Magellan Strait crossing from Punta Arenas takes about 45 minutes each way, and the boat moves steadily through cold, grey water that feels genuinely remote, not the kind of scenery you see from a cruise ship deck. On the way out, you'll pass Marta Island without landing, but the sea lions are visible from the water, and your crew will point them out.
Once you reach Magdalena Island, you get one hour on the Natural Monument Los Pinguinos, which is where the real thing happens. More than 120,000 Magellan penguins live here, and they're not performing. They're just moving between burrows, calling to each other, waddling across the rocky ground in that way that makes you forget to take photos because you're too busy watching. The island is a protected reserve, so there are boundaries you stay within, but you're close enough to see the birds clearly without binoculars. The wind picks up, the penguins don't care, and you realize why people book this even though it means leaving the ship for most of the afternoon.
The whole excursion runs about four hours door-to-door, including the transfer from the tour office to the boat departure point and back. If your ship leaves at 3 PM or earlier, this won't work: the tour finishes around 3 PM, so you'd be cutting it too close. Weather matters here. If the Strait is rough or visibility drops, the tour can be canceled even an hour before departure, and you'll get a full refund. It's Patagonia, so bring a windproof jacket and expect the temperature to feel colder than the thermometer says.
Is this one for you?Book this if your ship is in port until at least 3:30 PM and you want to see a massive penguin colony without arranging your own transport. The fixed schedule and included transfers mean you show up at the office and the boat handles the rest.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 72 h before the start.
How long is the boat ride to Magdalena Island?
About 45 minutes each way across the Magellan Strait from Punta Arenas.
How much time do you spend with the penguins?
One hour on Magdalena Island, within the designated walking area of the Natural Monument.
Can you land on Marta Island?
No. The boat circumnavigates Marta Island so you can see the sea lion colony from the water, but there is no disembarkation.
What's the total duration of the tour?
Around 4 hours, including transfers and both boat crossings. The tour finishes by 3 PM.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour can be canceled due to poor weather conditions. If that happens, you receive a full refund.
Do I need my passport?
Yes. Passport name, number, expiry date and country are required at the time of booking for all participants.
Is this suitable for pregnant travelers?
No. This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
What level of fitness is needed?
At least a moderate level of physical fitness. The walk on Magdalena Island is uneven terrain with wind exposure.
What if my ship leaves at 3 PM?
This tour is not suitable. It finishes around 3 PM, leaving no buffer time to return to your ship.
Is there public transport to the boat departure point?
Yes, public transportation options are available nearby. The tour includes transfer from the office to the boat departure point.
Magdalena Island: Magellan Penguins & Sea Lions from Punta Arenas
5h · EN · ES
from US$ 195 per person
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