Magdalena Island Boat Tour from Punta Arenas

The Magellan penguins are migratory birds and are in the island from the beginning of October to the beginning of April, period in which the navigation is made.

The larger number of penguins is seen in December and January, months in which the colony is formed by about 10,000 specimens.

The penguin colony on the island is large. As the island is small, it is possible to see the penguins from less than one meter away during the walk. It is even common for penguins to enter the trail you are walking on; however, direct contact with them is strictly prohibited.

The Magdalena Island Boat Tour is a half-day tour that allows you to disembark on Magdalena Island, where you walk among more than 10,000 Magellanic penguins, a small-sized species that can be seen up close, just 1 to 2 meters away. In contrast, the Tierra del Fuego Full Day is a full-day tour that crosses to Tierra del Fuego Island to visit the King Penguin Park, where you observe, from boardwalks about 50 meters away, a small colony of 30 to 50 king penguins, a larger species that is uncommon in South America. Both tours offer different and complementary experiences, and most travelers choose to do both. If you prefer to do only one, choose Magdalena Island if your priority is to see a large number of penguins up close, or King Penguin if you are looking for a longer tour that combines landscapes, history, and nature.

The Magdalena Island tour can be done on two different types of vessels, and the main difference lies in their capacity, comfort, and onboard services:

• Catamaran
• Tourist Cabin: capacity for 120 passengers.
• Plus Cabin: capacity for 48 passengers.
• Equipped with 2 restrooms and 2 outdoor decks, perfect for taking photos and enjoying the views of the Strait of Magellan.
• A smaller and cozier vessel, offering a more personalized experience.
• Ferry
• Total capacity of 170 passengers.
• Features 2 indoor levels, 7 restrooms, and an onboard café (products not included in the tour price, cash payment only).
• A larger vessel with more indoor space and greater stability in rough conditions.

If you prefer a more intimate atmosphere with plenty of outdoor viewing space, the catamaran is the best choice. If you’d rather travel on a larger, sturdier ship that feels more stable in challenging weather, the ferry is the ideal option.

If your meeting point is Embarcadero Tres Puentes (Punta Arenas), you can park your vehicle free of charge inside the premises. Parking spaces are limited; if the lot is full, you’ll need to find parking nearby.

If your meeting point is Muelle Prat, there is no parking inside the premises. However, you can park in the surrounding area, for example on Boliviana Street or Independencia Street, which are nearby (additional cost may apply depending on the parking/area).

You can book Magdalena Island Boat Tour from Punta Arenas online through Nomades.com, the largest tour booking platform in Chile. Just go to the activity page, choose the date, number of passengers, and pay online by credit card, bank transfer, or using a 10% deposit to pay the rest at destination.

The tour Magdalena Island Boat Tour from Punta Arenas can be booked up to 1 days before the departure date. However, we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.