Best Penguin Tours in South America
Facts About Penguin Excursions in Chile and The Falkland Islands
Feb 4, 2009
Contrary to popular belief, travelers don’t need to go to Antarctica to see penguins. Fortunately, penguin excursions are also offered on South America cruise itineraries from November to March. Although the choices vary by length of tour, type of species, and level of physical fitness required, travelers need to consider these additional facts about penguin tours.
Best Ports of Call for Penguin Tours
Choose penguin tours in Punta Arenas, Chile and Stanley, Falkland Islands, with the latter having a better variety of options. In fact, there are five species of penguins in the Falklands according to the International Penguin Conservation Work Group, a group that promotes penguin conservation worldwide.
Transportation to the Penguin Tours
Most penguin tours feature only one hour of penguin watching, while the rest of the tour is transportation. This is part of the adventure since many tours include some seriously bumpy four-wheeling over boulders, through streams, and around sticky mud bogs to get to the reserve. (Note: No snow since this is South America's summer).
What to Expect While Penguins Watching
The barrier between guest and penguin varies between tours. One reserve may have a fence, while others only have a rope on the ground, defining where visitors may not pass. But no one told the penguins! Visitors will also be too busy taking pictures to notice the overwhelming smell or what resembles rabbit droppings beneath their feet.
Note: Most tours offer limited facilities at the various reserves, with some only featuring port-a-johns. As for food and drinks, don’t expect more than a trailer with some coffee, tea, and pastries.
Penguin Tours in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve (6.5 hours) – Take a two-hour ferry each way and see Magellan penguins that stand only 18 inches tall. There are no tourist facilities at the Reserve, but a light box lunch is provided on the ferry.
- Otway Sound Penguin Reserve (4 hours) – This reserve is also home to Magellan penguins, but you’ll have to walk at least one mile on an uneven shoreline path to see them
- Volunteer Point King Penguin Colony (7 hours) – Volunteer Point is home to more than 1,300 King penguins, standing three feet tall and sporting some yellow highlights.
- Bluff Cove Lagoon Penguin Rookery (3 hours) –There are approximately 2,000 Gentoo penguins and a handful of Kings at this wind-swept beach rookery. The Sea Cabbage Cafe offers complimentary, handmade pastries and hot chocolate. This is the best penguin tour for kids featuring penguin coloring sheets and a flushing toilet.
- Rockhopper Penguin Colony (4 hours) – These small penguins have curled yellow eyebrows and red beady eyes. They can be seen literally hopping around the rocky shoreline.
- Sparrow Cove Penguin Adventure (2.5 hours) – This rookery is home to both Gentoo penguins and a couple of King penguins. The penguins frequently cross the rope line that visitors are not allowed to cross.
- Gypsy Cove (Independent) – Take a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to this Magellan penguin colony. Unfortunately, the penguins are over 100 feet from the viewing area, but if cost is an issue, this is the cheapest option at only 20 GBP.
Note: Cruise lines offering penguin excursions in South America include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
