If you’re a fellow wildlife enthusiast with a soft spot for adorable penguins and are heading to South America, you are in for a treat! I spent 11 months backpacking around South America by bus and I during my trips, I looked for all the places I could see penguins in South America.
Penguins are among the most adorable and fascinating animals in the world. They are surprisingly diverse and adaptable, living in various habitats and climates across the Southern Hemisphere. Join me on a journey to discover these charming birds in their natural habitats, as I share with you some of my personal experiences and tips on how to see penguins in South America.
If you are in a hurry and are just looking for a day trip to see penguins in South America, use our selection below. Otherwise, continue reading!!
Argentina
Other
- Ballestas Island – Peru
- Isabela Island – Galapagos
Penguins in Argentina
Peninsula Valdes
Peninsula Valdes is a peninsula on the Atlantic coast of Argentina, about 77 km from the city of Puerto Madryn. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most important marine wildlife reserves in the world. It is home to many animals, such as whales, dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals, orcas, and of course, Magellanic penguins.
As you travel around the Valdes Peninsula, you will find several viewpoints from where you can look for wildlife. The most easy to spot are the penguins who nest along the beaches and cliffs during the austral winter.
To visit Peninsula Valdes, you need your own vehicle or take this day tour from Puerto Madryn for example.
It is not allowed to stay overnight on the Peninsula unless you book accommodation at one of the luxury estancias or at one of the hotel/hostels in Puerto Piramides. Most visitors stay in Puerto Madryn and take day tours.
You can visit the peninsula all year round, but the best time to see the penguins is between September and April.
For a comprehensive wildlife viewing experience, you can book a wildlife safari tour that takes them to the best spots on the Peninsula Valdes to observe penguins, sea lions, whales, and other wildlife. These tours are typically conducted by experienced guides and provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about the local wildlife and habitat.
Pss! We have a couple of Articles about the Peninsula Valdes and Puerto Madryn. Click on the links to check them out.
Punta Tombo
Punta Tombo is a remote park on the Atlantic coast of Argentina, about 180 km south of Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut. It is one of the most important breeding sites for Magellanic penguins in the world, with more than 250,000 pairs arriving every year between September and April.
The reserve has a long and narrow beach, where the penguins dig their burrows and lay their eggs.
Punta Tombo has a visitor centre with an exhibit about the penguins and their conservation. But the main attraction is the 3 km long trail from where you can observe the penguins from a safe distance. Although, penguins don’t really know the 5 m rule distance and can be spotted walking on the trail.
The peninsula is open to the public from September to April. You can visit Punta Tombo as a day trip from Puerto Madryn, or spend the night in Trelew which is the closed town. I have an article here which share some of the things to do in Trelew or around.
We also have a dedicated article on how to visit Punta Tombo. Make sure to read it if you want to see Penguins in South America!
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, at the tip of South America. It is a gateway to Antarctica, where you can take a cruise to see the Emperor, Adelie, Chinstrap, and Rockhopper penguins, among other wildlife. But you don’t have to go that far to see penguins!
From Ushuaia, you can visit Martillo Island, where you can see the Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, or head to the Yécapasela Reserve, where you can see the King penguins. You can also enjoy the stunning scenery of the Beagle Channel, the Andes Mountains, and gorgeous glaciers. Here are a couple of day tours you can take from Ushuaia to see Penguins:
- Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony
- Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo
- Beagle Channel Navigation to the Pingüinera
- Canoeing Adventure on the Beagle Channel and Penguin Colony
I visited Ushuaia a few years prior to my 11-month trip around South America (I was actually on the way to Antarctica), and it was such an amazing place to visit. It is quite an adventure to get to Ushuaia if you are backpacking around South America, but there are buses from Punta Arenas or Rio Gallegos. You can also take a plane from Buenos Aires.
Penguins in Chile
Magdalena Island – Punta Arena
From Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia, you can visit Magdalena Island, a small island in the Strait of Magellan. The island is part of Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, a protected area that hosts the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America.
On the island, you can see more than 120,000 pairs of Magellanic penguins, who arrive every year between September and March to breed and raise their chicks. Magdalena Island has a network of trails and observation platforms, where you can walk by the penguins and watch them interact with each other.
You can book a ferry with TABSA from Punta Arenas, or join a guided tour that includes transportation and a guide. You’ll also need to pay an entrance fee of 10,000 Chilean pesos (about 13 US dollars). You can also combine a tour to both Marta island and Magdalena island with this tour dedicated to wildlife of Chile.
Update: the TABSA Ferry has suspended the activity to the Magdalena island for the season 2022-2023. If you are planning to visit during that period, a day tour with private transport will be your only option.
Chiloé Island
Chiloe Island is a rugged, windswept Chilean island defined by ancient myths and traditions. It is a beautiful off-the-beaten-path place with a lot to do. One of the highlights is the presence of one of the largest colonies of Humboldt penguins in the world found within the Chiloe National Park, on the northern coast of the island, near Ancud.
You can observe the penguins from a boat, or from the shore, where there are several viewpoints and trails. Unfortunately, Humbolt penguins are threatened by overfishing, climate change, and predators, such as sea lions and foxes. Therefore, it is important to respect their habitat and follow the rules of the Chiloe National Park when visiting them.
If you want to see the Humboldt penguins, you need to visit Chiloe Island between October and mid-March, when they are present on the island.
You can book your 30 min boat trip from Puñihuil which is a small town accessible by bus from Ancud (bus runs only twice a day at 1pm & 6pm). Renting a car is a great option if you have a few days so you can see more of Chiloe island.
Alternatively, you can join one of the below guided tour if you are settled in Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas and have a limited time in the region:
- Full day Chiloe Island visiting Penguins in Puñihuil From Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas
- Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony from Puerto Montt or Puerto Vara
If you are planning a few days on Chiloe Island, don’t miss out on our complete guide!
Bahía Inútil
Bahia Inutil, or Useless Bay, is a large and shallow bay on the eastern coast of Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America. Despite its name, the bay is not useless at all, as it is home to the only colony of king penguins outside of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands.
In Bahia Inutil about 100 King Penguins have established a permanent colony on a private farm called Parque Pinguino Rey. The farm has a small visitor centre, where you can learn more about the penguins and their history. There is also a wooden walkway from where you can observe the penguins from a respectful distance.
Visiting the Pinguino Rey was quite a trip but an experience I will never forget. The penguins were very elegant and majestic, and they seemed to be unfazed by the cold and windy weather. I had never seen King Penguins before and it was an incredible sight I never thought I’d get the chance to witness.
If you want to see the king penguins, you need to visit Bahia Inutil between October and March. You also need to pay an entrance fee of 15,000 Chilean pesos (about 20 US dollars).
To get to the King Penguin Park you will need to rent a car from Punta Arenas and take a ferry. In this article I have detailed how to get there on your own. Useless Bay is a very remote area so allow a couple of days to get there and back, unless you book a day tour from Punta Arenas.
Alternatively, you can join this guided tour that includes transportation and a guide. A day tour is a good option if you don’t feel comfortable driving a 4WD in Chile, or don’t have a couple of days for that trip.
Penguins in other places
Peru
The Ballestas Islands are a group of rocky islands off the coast of Paracas, a town in southern Peru. They are part of the Paracas National Reserve, a protected area that preserves the marine and coastal ecosystems of the region. They are home to many animals, such as sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, turtles, and birds, including the Humboldt penguins, the only penguin species that lives in Peru.
To visit the Ballestas Islands, you need to travel to the nearest town of Pisco or Paracas and take a boat tour. You can visit the islands all year round, but the best time to see the penguins is between April and October.
Booking a boat tour online or through a local operator is necessary to visit the Ballestas. Here are a selection of tours from the different town and city in Peru:
- From Lima: Full-Day Paracas and Huacachina Bus Tour
- From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve
- From Pisco: Ballestas Islands tour
Some visitors prefer a multiday trip that includes Paracas, the dunes of Huacachina and a trip to see the Nazca Lines. This 2-Day trip from Lima and this 3-day tour include Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina Sand dune!
Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands are a wildlife paradise, home to many unique and endemic animals, such as the giant tortoise, the marine iguana, and the blue-footed booby. It is the only place to see penguins in Ecuador. But did you know that the Galápagos Islands are also the only place in the world where you can find penguins north of the equator?
You can find the Galápagos penguins on the western islands of Fernandina and Isabela, where they nest and breed on the rocky shores. This penguin species is classified as endangered with only 1,200 individuals left in the wild. This is why you need to book your trip to these Galapagos islands well in advance, as they have a limited number of visitors allowed per year.
I have unfortunately never had the chance to visit the Galapagos island, so I am only adding this here for information. I do not have much details on how to visit both islands independently. I know most cruises to the Galapagos Islands would include a stop in Fernandina or Isabela but I cannot advise which one is best.
Practical Wanderlust have a great article on how to visit the Galapagos island without a cruise. I recommend checking this article out also.
types of penguins in south america
Galapagos Penguins
The Galápagos penguin is the smallest and rarest penguin species, measuring only about 50 cm in height and weighing less than 3 kg. They are adapted to the warm and humid climate of the Galapagos islands, thanks to the cool and nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell currents that surround them.
King Penguins
King penguins are the second largest penguin species, after the emperor penguin, measuring up to 100 cm in height and weighing up to 18 kg. They have a striking appearance, with black and white plumage, a yellow-orange patch on their neck, and a long and pointed beak.
Humboldt Penguins
Humboldt penguins are medium-sized penguins, with black and white plumage and a pink patch on their face. They are named after the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who explored the region in the 19th century.
Magellanic Penguins
Magellanic penguins are medium-sized penguins, with black and white plumage and a distinctive black band across their chest. They are named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first encountered them in 1520.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jen – Owner, writer & photographer – has lived for the past 10 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling long-term in Latin America, North America and Europe. She has visited more than 60 countries and set foot on every continent in the world!
>> Favourite countries: New Zealand, Bolivia, Iceland.
>> Wishlist: Svalbard, Japan, Botswana, Alaska.
>> Philosophy: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
Jen is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife and outdoor activities. Her organisation and curiosity make her a great travel companion always looking for DIY and off-the-grid adventures. For more info, check out the About page.
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