penguins in front of magdalena island lighthouse
magdalena island penguins
sea lions isla marta
magdalena island navigation
laredo wharf
magdalena island penguin
speedboat isla marta
penguins paeando at magdalena island
sea lion
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Magdalena Island Penguin Boat Tour + Marta Island

Walk alongside penguins on Magdalena Island and check out the wildlife on Marta Island

(3 reviews)

Lock in your spot and book ahead!

Punta Arenas
1 day
Spanish and English
Starts: From the meeting point in Punta Arenas at 6:15 am
Ends: To the meeting point in Punta Arenas or Plaza de Armas at 12:00 pm
Free cancellation!

Briefing

Book a Penguin Tour from Punta Arenas with Howlanders and get ready for a fun morning trip to Magdalena and Marta Islands! You’ll get to walk among thousands of Magellanic penguins just chilling in their natural habitat. Enjoy some amazing coastal views while you sail to this cool nature reserve. An expert guide will fill you in on all the penguin facts and behaviors, plus you can hike up to a historic lighthouse. If the weather's nice, we’ll also head over to Marta Island to check out sea lions and elephant seals.

The tour includes coffee on board, entrance fees to the 'Los Pingüinos' Natural Monument, and transportation from the meeting spot in the city to the pier.

Tour details

Included

  • Navigation to Magdalena Island and Marta
  • Onboard coffee service
  • Bilingual Guide (Spanish/English)
  • Entrance to the Natural Monument "Los Pingüinos".
  • Roundtrip transportation from Punta Arenas

Not included

  • Pick-up and Drop-off at the Hotel
  • Other services not mentioned

Important information

📅 Season: the Magdalena Island and Marta Island Navigation runs from October 1 to March 31 and departs daily.

⛅ Weather: The departure of the navigation is subject to weather conditions. If the activity is canceled due to weather conditions, the refund policies detailed in the Cancellation Policy section will be applied.

🚢 Speedboat: We use speedboats to navigate to Magdalena Island and Marta Island from Punta Arenas. We have three speedboats of different sizes, each capable of carrying 33, 46, and 66 passengers, respectively. The speedboat used on the day of the tour will depend on the size of the group.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour begins, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be provided.

Cancellation due to weather conditions

  • If the activity is canceled before departure we will refund 100% of the amount paid.
  • If the activity is canceled during the tour:
    • If only the land transfer to the embarkation sector occurs and weather conditions prevent navigation, you will be reimbursed the amount corresponding to the navigation [100 USD].
    • If weather conditions do not allow disembarkation at Magdalena Island, the amount equivalent to the entrance fee to the Natural Monument will be refunded [12 USD].
    • If the weather conditions during the navigation do not allow the visit to Isla Marta (sea lion colony), no refund will be made.

Tour itinerary

Penguin Tour from Punta Arenas - Magdalena & Marta Islands

Duration: 4.5 hours.

Difficulty: low.

Meeting in Punta Arenas

We’ll meet up at 6:15 am at the spot in the port area of Punta Arenas, close to Muelle Prat. We’ll give you the exact location in your reservation confirmation. Once you’re there, we’ll check you in and get you all set for an awesome adventure. The wait is finally over!

You’ll hop on the minibus that’ll take you to Laredo pier. The ride from Punta Arenas to the pier takes about 35 minutes.

embarking at the Laredo dock

We set sail for Magdalena Island

From the Laredo dock, you’ll hop on a speedboat and kick off your journey through the stunning Magellan Strait. You’ll sail over to Magdalena Island, where you can get off the boat and have an hour to explore and search for the adorable colony of Magellanic penguins that call this place home. You’re gonna fall in love with these friendly little birds!

The speedboat ride from Laredo Bay to Magdalena Island takes about 45 minutes.

dock full of penguins on Magdalena Island

Exploring Marta Island

After hanging out with the penguins for an hour, you'll hop back on the boat and head over to Marta Island. It’ll take about 20 minutes to get there. While you're on the boat, you’ll get a chance to check out some cool native wildlife. You’ll spot sea lion colonies, cormorants, and Antarctic doves, plus a bunch of other species that call this awesome area home.

The boat will do a 30-minute loop around Marta Island.

isla marta sea lion colony

Return to Punta Arenas

Finally, you'll head back to the mainland, and we’ll drop you off either at the starting point or at Plaza de Armas in Punta Arenas—totally up to you! The ride from Isla Marta to the Laredo pier takes about 45 minutes. When you get there, a minibus will be waiting to take you back to Punta Arenas, which is another 35-minute drive. You should be back in the city around noon, filled with unforgettable memories and awesome experiences. We hope you had a blast on the penguin tour from Punta Arenas!

navigation isla marta

What to bring to Magdalena Island Penguin Boat + Marta Island tour

  • Sun protection
  • Sunglasses
  • Backpack or small bag
  • Water
  • Warm clothing
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Personal documentation
  • Camera (we recommend you to bring protection, especially if you are traveling with professional photographic equipment).

Where does the tour Magdalena Island Penguin Boat + Marta Island start

The tour starts and ends at the meeting point located in the port area of Punta Arenas, near the Prat Pier. We will indicate the exact location in the confirmation of your reservation.

The tour includes the transfer to and from the city of Punta Arenas to the pier located in Ladero Bay, 35 minutes from the city.

Plan your trip with this guide on how to get to Punta Arenas. Explore all routes and transport options.

Questions & Answers

  • In what type of boat does this Penguin Tour from Punta Arenas take place?

    The navigation to Magdalena Island and Marta Island from Punta Arenas is done by speedboat. We have three boats of different sizes, with capacity for 33, 46 and 66 passengers, respectively. The boat used on the day of the tour will depend on the size of the group.

  • How long does the Penguin Tour from Punta Arenas last?

    The tour lasts approximately 4 and a half hours, including navigation time, stops at the islands and transfer to and from Punta Arenas.

  • What is the departure and return time?

    The tour starts at 6:30 a.m. at the meeting point and ends around 12:00 p.m. at the same point or at the Plaza de Armas in the city.

  • What type of clothing or equipment should I bring for the Magdalena Island and Marta Island Navigation?

    We recommend wearing comfy, warm clothes and good shoes for walking. It’s also a good idea to bring some sunscreen and a camera to snap those special moments!

  • Are there any age or physical condition requirements to participate?

    There aren’t any strict age limits, but kids need to be with an adult. The tour is good for folks in normal physical shape, but if you have any specific questions, just reach out to us before you book!

  • What happens if the weather is not favorable for sailing?

    If weather conditions are adverse and the tour cannot take place, cancellation policies will apply.

  • What kind of animals will I be able to see during the Penguin Tour from Punta Arenas?

    During the tour you will be able to observe Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island and sea lions, cormorants and Antarctic doves on Marta Island, among other local species.

  • Can I take my camera or photographic equipment on board?

    Absolutely! We totally encourage you to bring your camera or any photo gear to snap those amazing landscapes and animals you'll see on the trip. If you're bringing professional equipment, we also suggest packing some waterproof protection just in case!

  • Are there any restrictions on the use of drones or similar devices on the islands?

    Yeah, there are rules about using drones in protected areas like these islands to help keep the local wildlife safe. If you have any specific questions about it, we suggest checking in with our team before the tour!

Magdalena Island Penguin Boat + Marta Island tour reviews with Howlanders

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