Patagonian penguin watching + elephant seals
Surround yourself with penguins and elephant seals in Puerto Madryn
Patagonian penguin watching + elephant seals tour information
Starts
Pick up at your accommodation in Puerto Madryn between 7:15 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Ends
To your accommodation in Puerto Madryn between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Included
- Transfer to and from your accommodation
- Professional local guide
- Penguin watching in Punta Tombo
- Visit to Isla Escondida
- Sighting of elephant seals
- Transfer from Punta Tombo to Isla Escondida
Not included
- Lunch
- Ticket to the Punta Tombo Magellanic Penguin Reserve
error_outlineImportant information
restoreCancellation policy
Free cancellation! You can cancel this tour and you'll receive 100% refund of the amount paid if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance. After this time, or in case you do not show up, no refunds will be given.
After that, the transport will take you to visit Isla Escondida in Chubut, a beach where local fishermen and elephant seals live together. The villagers will make you feel like a local and you'll discover fun experiences with these giant mammals that are their neighbours.
Do you want to know more? This is what your experience will be like:
Tour itinerary
todayDAY 1 Puerto Madryn - Punta Tombo - Isla Escondida - Puerto Madryn
Once you're inside the reserve, it's showtime! You will witness the daily adventures of these adorable and unpredictable creatures. Did you know that they are monogamous and choose a mate for life? You will be able to witness their competitions for location or food, courtship or the characteristic change in plumage.
You'll enjoy during 90 minutes a path that crosses the natural reserve. You'll make your way among the local hosts by walking with them. At the end, you will find a viewpoint from which you can see the penguins entering and leaving the sea.
Around 12:00 p.m., you will have lunch. You can take your food with you or if you prefer, you can taste typical local food in a restaurant. Remember that you can only pay in cash but they accept euros, Argentine pesos or american dollars.
Once the visit to the penguin colony at Punta Tombo is over, we will start the road to Escondida Island (Isla Escondida). There, the local fishermen share the beach with the Elephant Seals. You'll be surprised by how integrated these mammals are in the daily life of the inhabitants of the area.
In Isla Escondida you will experience a complete connection with nature for approximately 40 minutes. You'll be able to walk on a beach where your only company will be the elephant seals. These mammals are as cute as they are giant, and they are the largest of the seal family!
The guide who will go with you will give you directions to communicate with them. You'll be nourished by their experience and love for these animals. Elephant seal pups are pure tenderness, you don't want to stop watching them while they play!
After your visit to Isla Escondida, the transport will take you back to Puerto Madryn. You will arrive at your accommodation between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. with a new experience to tell, a stronger bond with nature and a memory for life.
What to bring to Patagonian penguin watching + elephant seals
- Cash
- Passport
- Light and warm clothing
- Warm hat between September and November
- Sun hat
- Comfortable footwear
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Water bottle
Questions & Answers
The penguin season may vary each year, but it is always from mid-September to mid-April.
Punta Tombo opens its doors during this time to welcome the penguins coming home. While the nature reserve is open, we have daily departures including weekends and holidays so from September to April you can take the tour whenever you want.