Naturepatagonia

Punta Tombo

Best time to visit
Mid-September to mid-April
Duration
Full day

Among penguins on the Patagonian coast

Walk through one of Patagonia’s great Magellanic penguin sanctuaries, following trails between steppe and sea to observe their life cycle up close in the wild.

The day begins early in the morning with pick-up directly from your hotel or accommodation in Puerto Madryn or Trelew. From there we travel to Punta Tombo, home to one of the great mainland colonies of Magellanic penguins. On arrival, our first visit is the Interpretation Center, designed to provide a better understanding of the ecosystem before entering the colony. Here we find a representation of the seabed and exhibits dedicated to the region’s terrestrial wildlife. We then begin walking an interpretive trail of approximately 1,500 meters through the penguin area, ending at two viewpoints overlooking the sea. The experience naturally changes with the season. Penguins begin arriving in September and, over the following months, we may observe different stages of their reproductive cycle: digging and occupying nests, defending territory, finding mates or caring for their chicks. As we follow the trail, we may also encounter other inhabitants of the steppe, including guanacos, maras, rheas, armadillos and foxes. At the end, there is time to enjoy views of the Atlantic from the lookouts. The reserve also has a service area with restrooms and a café, where guests may have lunch at their own expense before returning to Puerto Madryn.

Walk between steppe and sea, following the rhythm of the penguins.

The kingdom of the penguins

Each season, penguins return from the ocean and the steppe of Punta Tombo fills with movement again. Walking its trails means stepping for a few hours into that natural cycle: nests, calls, dashes toward the sea and small unscripted encounters in one of the Patagonian coast’s most emblematic landscapes.

Check availability

Keep exploring Puerto Madryn