It goes without saying: penguins are one of the most charismatic species. Films such as March of the Penguins, Happy Feet or the one about the penguins of Madagascar are some examples of their enormous and growing popularity. Moreover, since 2005, penguins are the protagonists of a video game with one hundred million players in the world, produced by Disney. Walking among penguins is one of the most chosen excursions by nature lovers. Who doesn't like to walk in the company of these charismatic animals? Absolutely nothing compares to observing the animals in their true environment, in total freedom and without their peace, tranquility and life being disturbed.  So, here we tell you a little more about their species, how they are, how they live, how they reproduce and most importantly: where to see Penguins in South America (and yes, you will see them up close, I promise)  
Penguins, the most friendly flightless birds in the southern hemisphere, have a predilection for the cold waters of the South Atlantic / Photo: Source
 

Magellanic Penguins: What are they like?

Magellanic penguins, also called Patagonian penguins, are of medium height, between 50 and 60 centimeters, and weigh up to 5 kilograms. They are adorned with a white chest and a white band around their head, neck and wings. This is the most emblematic species of penguin in the Spheniscidae family in Argentina. During the southern winter it reaches the north of Chile and the south of Brazil. In summer it is a very common species in waters near the Land of fire.  

Where can we see them?

 

1- Punta Tombo, Puerto Madryn (Argentina)

Argentina has several 'penguin colonies' -as they are popularly known- that can be visited without interrupting the habitat or disturbing them while they are taking care of the eggs, eating or making their nests. Punta Tombo is located south of the city of Puerto Madryn -in the famous Patagonia- and has a great infrastructure for visitors. There you can go on a walk of approximately 2 kilometers along the natural trails surrounded by penguins. The best time to visit the region is in January and February, when the penguins are breeding their chicks before returning to the sea. It seems that the presence of the 'intruders', who watch them from wooden walkways, does not affect these birds. Other species such as ducks, cormorants and gulls can also be observed. Travel Tip: Book online this Penguin Watching Excursion to Punta Tombo departing from Puerto Madryn. It is a magical experience in Argentinean Patagonia, ideal for the whole family.  
55 percent of the world's penguin population - which in total is around 21 million - is in danger of extinction  / Photo: Source
 

2- Martillo Island, Ushuaia (Argentina) 

A visit to the End of the World cannot be completed without seeing penguins! In Ushuaia there are many tours that go through the Beagle Channel to see sea lions, birds and penguins. The only place where there are penguins in this area is on Isla Martillo (in front of Estancia Haberton). During the tour, besides visiting the Hacienda, you will enjoy fantastic landscapes and live the unique experience of spending time with the Magellanic penguins, as well as observe in their natural habitat other beautiful animal species such as the miller sparrows, cormorant birds and swallows. Due to an agreement between the Estancia, the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC) of Ushuaia and the Government of Tierra del Fuego, 80 people are allowed to descend on the island every day in four groups to walk with the penguins, as part of a study of the impact of tourism on these birds. For safety reasons, this is only allowed with a specialized guide, on a delimited trail and under specific rules, which contribute to the satisfaction of both visitors and penguins.    Travel Tip: Enjoy an unforgettable midday walk where you can observe and interact with the beautiful Magellanic penguins with the Penguin Island Excursion at Isla Martillo    

3- Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas (Chile)

There are more than 150,000 penguins that cohabit with other marine species from November to March. When you arrive at the site, you will find not only a visual spectacle full of penguins but also a world of smells and sounds - an amazing experience! You will arrive after a two-hour navigation through the Strait of Magellan that will take you to the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, a small island only 35 kilometers away from the city so that you can appreciate and learn about the life of 60,000 thousand couples of Magellanic penguins.   Travel Tip: The Magdalena and Pingüinera Island Excursion is ideal for travelers who enjoy outdoor walks, nature and wildlife in their natural habitat.  
Magdalena Island in Chile is one of the best places for penguin watching / Photo: Source
  5- Pingüino Island, Santa Cruz (Argentina) This small island is in the South Atlantic, three kilometers off the coast and about 20 south of Puerto Deseado. It's the only touristically active place in the south of the country where two species of penguins live together: the Magellanic and the Yellow Penguin. Both share the island with skuas and other sea birds.  The excursions start from Puerto Deseado and allow you to walk to the rocks where these striking penguins with long yellow feathers in the place of the eyebrows live. For a long time, the island was a staging post for the ships that sailed along the South American coasts.    
500 kilometres from Penguin Island are the Falkland Islands, home to the largest penguin colonies in the South Atlantic / Photo: Source
 
 

5- Valdes Peninsula, Puerto Madryn (Argentina)

Valdes Peninsula in Puerto Madryn, declared by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage of Humanity and one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina, is home to the largest breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins in the world. Here you can enjoy the best landscapes composed by the magnificent fauna and flora of this part of Argentina, having the opportunity to meet whales, sea lions and penguins.  Walking along Peninsula Valdés from the middle and towards the north we can meet penguins in Punta Cantor, where there is a public viewpoint with an exceptional view of Caleta Valdés. Then along the road that borders the coast we arrive at Punta Norte where the largest concentration of Magellanic penguins can be found. You can enter the continental colony that has grown the most in recent years through Estancia San Lorenzo.   Travel tip: In case your vacation in Puerto Madryn is between September and April, you will not only see penguins but you can even get to know the wonderful orcas. Book online with Daytours4u your excursion to Península Valdés departing from Puerto Madryn.   To keep in mind: 
  • Penguins are seasonal inhabitants of Argentina and form their colonies during the spring and summer of each year.
  • Between September and March you can visit the different Magellanic Penguin colonies on the coast of Chubut. 
  • Punta Tombo was declared a Natural Fauna Reserve in 1985, and has huge wooden walkways that run for more than a kilometer.
  • No matter what tour you decide to take, always bring warm and waterproof clothing, sneakers, gloves and sunglasses. 
  Immerse yourself in nature, observe and interact with the beautiful Magellanic penguins, delight your eyes with the fantastic landscapes of this part of our planet and take the most incredible pictures of this wonderful experience in South America!   
 
By: Nathaly Bosch, social communicator by profession and curious traveler by choice. Spanish editor for Daytours4u.