Penguin King Nature Reserve tour: Punta Arenas sailing

King penguins on the shores of Tierra del Fuego, seen up close on the trail.

A full-day tour from Punta Arenas combines a 2-hour ferry crossing of the Strait of Magellan with guided stops at the only king penguin colony in South America, a walking tour of Porvenir, and the ruins of Estancia San Gregorio, a 19th-century sheep station. Hotel pickup and bilingual guide are included. Ferry tickets are covered, and lunch is your own choice of where to stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tierra del Fuego and penguins

• Pick up from hotel in Punta Arenas
• Sail 2 hours through Strait of Magellan
• Tour Porvenir city and visit landmarks
• Stop for lunch (not included)
• Visit king penguin colony and walk trails
• Tour historic Estancia San Gregorio

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Punta Arenas hotel between 7:00 and 7:30 am, then a 2-hour crossing of the Strait of Magellan by ferry to Tierra del Fuego. The route itself is part of the experience: you're traveling the same waters that shaped Patagonia's history. Once on the island, the guide leads you through Porvenir, stopping at the Selknam Square and the Hain viewpoint to see the town's main landmarks before you choose where to eat lunch.

The core of the tour is the Penguin King Nature Reserve, where you walk marked trails in front of the strait to watch king penguins in their natural habitat: the only colony of this species in South America. The birds are on the shore, close enough to observe without disturbing them. After the reserve, the route includes Estancia San Gregorio, a historic livestock settlement on the Strait's edge. You'll see the remains of two ships, the Amadeus and the Ambassador, both stranded offshore, and tour the old station buildings to learn how the Menendez Behety family built one of Patagonia's first sheep ranches. The whole day is 15 hours from pickup to return, though the itinerary can shift depending on ferry schedules.

A bilingual guide (Spanish and English) leads all stops and handles the logistics. The operator notes that schedules sometimes change based on ferry timing, so it's worth confirming the day before. Bring a snack or plan to buy one in Porvenir. The tour does not include meals. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Punta Arenas.
• ferry tickets for both crossings (Terminal 3 Bridges and Punta Delgada).
• bilingual guide in Spanish and English for all stops.
• access to the Penguin King Nature Reserve, Porvenir city tour, and Estancia San Gregorio.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 35 pickup points.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 18.22

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Caminos Tours LTDA

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a local bilingual guide leading all stops, so you travel with other visitors and follow a set itinerary. Choose it if you want the logistics and the ferry crossing handled for you and prefer a guide who knows the history and wildlife rather than exploring on your own.

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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: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): 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.

How long is the ferry crossing to Tierra del Fuego?

The Strait of Magellan crossing takes 2 hours each way by ferry, with the outbound journey in the morning and the return in the late afternoon after all the stops on the island.

Can I get close to the king penguins, or do I watch them from a distance?

You walk on marked trails set up in front of the strait at the Penguin King Nature Reserve, positioned to observe the birds in their natural habitat without disturbing them. The trails put you near enough to see them clearly.

What is Estancia San Gregorio?

Estancia San Gregorio is one of Patagonia's first livestock settlements, built by the Menendez Behety family in the 19th century for sheep farming. The tour includes the old station buildings, the remains of two ships stranded offshore, and a guide explaining the site's history and role in Patagonia's development.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You stop in Porvenir and choose where to eat on your own. Bring a snack for the ferry crossing and the time at the penguin reserve.

What happens if the ferry schedule changes?

The itinerary and stops can shift based on ferry timing or booking schedules. The operator suggests confirming the day before to know the exact sequence and timing for your departure.

Do I need to pay anything extra at the penguin reserve?

Yes, there is an official entry fee to the Penguin King Nature Reserve that you pay directly at the site. It is not included in the tour price.