solitary penguin looking out to sea in Punta Tombo
a happy child pointing to the penguins approaching him on the trail
penguins walking alongside people on a trail
boy with his back to a penguin and some guanacos resting
panoramic view of the interpretation center and sea views
penguin on a wooden walkway with the sea in the background
penguin colony in Punta Tombo
panoramic view from the lookout point overlooking the sea and the shore full of penguins
people watching the penguins on the seashore and next to the flag of Argentina.
two penguins resting on top of each other at Punta Tombo
guanacos eating from the bushes near the Punta Tombo interpretation center.
private white van with open door for cruise ship passengers
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Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers

Tailored Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion, timed for Puerto Madryn cruise arrivals

(3 reviews)
Puerto Madryn
1 day
Spanish and English
Starts: From Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier (Puerto Madryn) upon your cruise arrival.
Ends: To Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier (Puerto Madryn) 7 hours later.
Free cancellation!

Briefing

The Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers is the best way to make the most of your stop in port and enjoy an unforgettable experience in close contact with nature. From the moment you disembark, a guide will welcome you and accompany you on a comfortable transfer to Punta Tombo Reserve, home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins on the continent. There, you’ll walk along trails among thousands of penguins, watching them move around, feed, and care for their chicks just a few feet away. The tour includes exclusive transportation, a knowledgeable guide, a box lunch, and additional stops on the way back. Make your Puerto Madryn cruise stop unforgettable with a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with penguins.

Tour details

Included

  • Pick-up at the cruise port
  • Round-trip transfer from the port to Punta Tombo
  • Bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
  • Box lunch
  • Bottle of water

Not included

  • Entrance fee to Punta Tombo Reserve
  • Tips

Important information

The departure time is approximate, as the tour begins once the cruise ship has arrived and passengers have disembarked.

When booking, you will see 7:30 AM as the indicated time in the calendar. Please note this is only a reference schedule, based on the arrival of most cruises. The actual departure will always be adjusted to your ship’s real arrival and departure times.

Please remember to provide your cruise’s arrival and departure times when completing the booking.

💳 Entrance to the Punta Tombo National Reserve must be paid exclusively by digital methods. Cash is not accepted.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start of the tour, you will receive a 100% refund. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be issued.

Tour itinerary

Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers

Duration: 7 hours

Pick-up at Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier

The Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers begins with pick-up at Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier. You will be greeted at the port entrance with a personalized sign so it is easy to find your guide. Once everyone is together, you will receive a bottle of water and board an exclusive vehicle for passengers of the same cruise, ensuring a small group and personalized attention.

Cruise passengers arriving at Puerto Madryn port, meeting point with welcome sign

Punta Tombo Reserve

The journey heads south toward the famous Punta Tombo Reserve, home to the largest continental Magellanic penguin colony. During the approximately 2-hour drive, the guide will share information about the local wildlife, history, and interesting facts about the region.

Once at Punta Tombo, you will enjoy a walk of about 4,920 ft (1,500 meters) along marked trails. Upon reaching the seaside viewpoints, you can observe thousands of penguins in their natural habitat: crossing the paths, caring for their chicks, or resting just a few feet away. A unique and unforgettable experience—grab your camera and capture the moment!

panoramic view of the penguins on the shore from the lookout point

Lunch and Additional Stops

After this short walk, you will receive a box lunch with a bottle of water to enjoy an outdoor meal surrounded by nature. If time permits, a visit to the Punta Tombo Interpretation Center is possible, offering additional information about the wildlife and history of the area.

Return to Puerto Madryn

On the way back, if there is enough time, there will be a stop at the replica of the world’s largest dinosaur in Trelew. Back in Puerto Madryn, you will enjoy a brief city tour of the city’s most emblematic points, and the excursion will conclude at the port entrance, giving you plenty of time to return to the cruise ship without any rush.

poster of Puerto Madryn under the sunlight

What to bring to Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers tour

This excursion is specially designed for cruise passengers who disembark for the day and return on board after the activity. It also includes bottled water and a lunch box meal. For this reason, we recommend bringing only a small backpack with the essentials, such as:

  • Comfortable layered clothing (including a windbreaker or light jacket)
  • Closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on dirt paths
  • Sunscreen and a cap or hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera or fully charged phone
  • Cash in Argentine pesos for personal expenses
  • Digital payment method to pay the entrance fee to Punta Tombo National Reserve

Where does the tour Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers start

The tour starts from Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier, the cruise ship arrival point in Puerto Madryn. Upon disembarkation, our team will be waiting for you at the port entrance with a personalized sign so you can easily identify your guide. You can reach the meeting point in two ways:

  • Walking, enjoying the views of the city from the pier.
  • Taking the free shuttle, which departs directly from the ship.

This way, your excursion will begin worry-free and fully prepared for a unique experience in Punta Tombo.

Questions & Answers

  • How long is the Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion?

    The excursion lasts approximately 7 hours, always adapted to the cruise schedule to ensure a timely return to the ship.

  • Is the tour designed especially for cruise passengers?

    Yes, the schedule and logistics are planned for cruise passengers. The guide will be waiting at the port exit and will return you with plenty of time to board the ship.

  • What is the difficulty level of the walk at Punta Tombo?

    The walk is about 4,920 ft (1,500 meters) along marked trails and is of low difficulty. It is suitable for all ages.

  • Is lunch included in the Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion?

    Yes, the tour includes a box lunch and a bottle of water.

  • Can I see penguins up close?

    Yes, during the walk in the reserve, penguins freely cross the paths and move just a few feet away from visitors.

Punta Tombo Penguin Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers tour reviews with Howlanders

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