Magdalena Island Penguin Tour with Optional Marta Island Visit

Early in the morning, we began this unforgettable adventure. After checking in, we boarded to sail through the legendary Strait of Magellan, a migratory route for sei whales, Peale's dolphins, and Commerson's dolphins. After approximately 45 minutes of sailing, we arrived at Magdalena Island, where we disembarked for a while, accompanied by our guide, to explore the natural habitat of Magellanic penguins. Magdalena Island is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Chilean Patagonia and home to the largest Magellanic penguin colony in Chile. Every year, more than 60,000 penguins return to the island to nest, breed, and raise their chicks, using the same burrows generation after generation.

After visiting Magdalena Island, we continue our journey depending on your tour selection. If you choose the MAGDALENA ONLY tour, you will return to Prat Pier in Punta Arenas, where this tour concludes. If you choose the COMPLETE TOUR, you will continue to Marta Island, an important natural refuge located in the Strait of Magellan and known for hosting one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the region, with over 1,500 individuals. From the boat, weather permitting, we will enjoy a respectful marine wildlife observation experience, watching the sea lions in their natural environment as they rest on the rocks or interact in the water. Marta Island is also home to a wide variety of seabirds, including imperial cormorants and kelp gulls, which thrive in this pristine Patagonian ecosystem. This stop offers a unique opportunity to observe marine wildlife in a pristine environment, surrounded by the historic waters of the Strait of Magellan.

Refresh and recharge with hot coffee and sweet cookies before boarding the boat for the return journey to the mainland. If you are lucky, you may capture photographs of sea lions and elephant seals resting along the shoreline before returning to Punta Arenas’ main square, where the tour comes to an end.