Magdalena Island tour from Punta Arenas: Magellanic Penguins

Magellanic Penguins live on Magdalena Island year-round, and you stand among them for an hour on the shore.

This tour departs Punta Arenas early, transfers to Laredo Bay 25 km north, then boards speedboats to navigate the Strait of Magellan toward Magdalena Island and Isla Marta. You disembark on Magdalena Island for an hour with a guide to see Magellanic Penguins in their natural habitat, then continue to Isla Marta to observe sea lions, Imperial Cormorants and Southern Gulls before returning to Punta Arenas. The route crosses the migratory waters of Sei Whales, Oyster Dolphins and Southern Dolphins. A live guide speaks English or Spanish. Coffee and tea are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Magdalena Island and Isla Marta tour

• Check in at office
• Transfer to Laredo Bay
• Board speedboats
• Navigate Strait of Magellan
• Arrive at Magdalena Island
• Explore Magellanic Penguins habitat
• Continue to Isla Marta
• See Sea Lions and birds
• Return to pier and Punta Arenas

The experience

The day starts with check-in at the office in Punta Arenas, then a transfer takes you 25 km north to Laredo Bay. From there you board a speedboat to cross the Strait of Magellan, the legendary route where Sei Whales, Oyster Dolphins and Southern Dolphins migrate. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, and the water itself is part of the draw. This is not a calm bay but an active strait with real currents and wildlife moving through it.

Magdalena Island is where the tour pauses. You disembark for an hour with your guide to walk the natural habitat of the Magellanic Penguins. These birds nest here year-round, and you see them on the shore rather than behind glass or from a distance. After that hour, the speedboat continues to Isla Marta, where sea lions haul out on the rocks, Imperial Cormorants nest in colonies, and hundreds of Southern Gulls wheel overhead. The return journey retraces the strait back to Laredo Bay and then to Punta Arenas.

What’s included

• Coffee and tea.
• all fees and taxes.
• transfer from Punta Arenas to Laredo Bay.
• speedboat navigation through the Strait of Magellan.
• one-hour guided stop on Magdalena Island.
• visit to Isla Marta.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 66

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Solo Expediciones

Is this one for you?The tour starts before dawn and the speedboat crossing is active water, not a smooth ride, so it suits travelers comfortable with an early start and the motion of a small boat in open strait conditions. Infants must sit on an adult's lap throughout.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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 24 h before the start.

What are Magellanic Penguins and why do they live on Magdalena Island?

Magellanic Penguins are a species native to southern South America, and Magdalena Island is one of their breeding and nesting grounds year-round. The island's rocky shores and cool waters provide the habitat they need, and the tour lets you see them in that natural setting during the one-hour stop on the island.

How rough is the water crossing through the Strait of Magellan?

The strait is an active waterway with real currents and tidal movement, not a sheltered bay. The 45-minute speedboat crossing can be choppy depending on conditions. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the motion and the small-boat experience.

Do I see whales and dolphins on this tour?

The Strait of Magellan is a migratory route for Sei Whales, Oyster Dolphins and Southern Dolphins, so sightings are possible but not guaranteed. The tour navigates these waters, but wildlife encounters depend on the season and what is present on the day you travel.

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

The tour departs early in the morning from Punta Arenas and runs 4 to 5 hours total, including the transfer to Laredo Bay, the speedboat crossings, and the stops on both islands.

What is included in the tour price?

All fees and taxes are included. Coffee and tea are provided. The transfer to Laredo Bay, speedboat transport, and the guide on Magdalena Island are part of the booking.