Horseback & estancias
Gaucho Day at a Patagonian Estancia
Cross the fjord from Puerto Natales to a family estancia: ride with gauchos or walk to a waterfall, then share a campfire lunch.
Full day
Wildlife · Patagonia
Magdalena Island Penguin Colony
At a glance
A morning boat trip from Punta Arenas to walk through the Magdalena Island penguin colony and circle Marta Island's sea lions, October to March.
1.4 kmDistance
- Duration
- Half day, about 5.5 hours (06:30 check-in, return to Punta Arenas around 12:00)
- Level
- Easy, a short walk on a marked trail
- Group
- 1–12
- Season
- October–March
- Distance
- Island trail of about 1.4 km (CONAF figure)
- Start
- Pickup at your hotel in Punta Arenas, confirmed when you book (from Puerto Natales on request); boat departs from Bahía Laredo at 08:00
Overview
Magdalena and Marta islands sit in the Strait of Magellan, about 35 km northeast of Punta Arenas, and together they form the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, a 97-hectare protected area managed by CONAF. Each summer Magellanic penguins return to Magdalena to breed, sharing the island with imperial cormorants, gulls and skuas. Marta Island is home to a colony of sea lions.
The day starts early. After check-in in Punta Arenas at 06:30 you transfer to the pier at Bahía Laredo, north of the city, and the boat leaves at 08:00. The crossing to Magdalena takes about 45 minutes, and the strait is a good place to watch for southern dolphins and Commerson's dolphins (toninas overas). On Magdalena you walk the marked trail through the colony for one hour, the time CONAF allows on the island, with a bilingual guide. Park rules keep everyone on the path and at least 2 m from the penguins. Back on board, the boat circles Marta Island to see the sea lions before heading back, returning to Punta Arenas around 12:00.
Transport from Punta Arenas, the guide, the natural monument entrance fee, and snacks and coffee are included. The trip runs from October to March and depends on weather and sea conditions in the strait.
Highlights
- One hour on the marked trail through the Magellanic penguin colony on Magdalena Island
- A boat circuit around Marta Island and its sea lions
- Boat crossing of the Strait of Magellan, with a chance of southern and Commerson's dolphins
- Bilingual guide, entrance fee, snacks and coffee included
The day
06:30
Pickup and check-in in Punta Arenas
Pickup at your hotel in Punta Arenas, confirmed when you book, for check-in at the boat operator's office in Punta Arenas at 06:30. Travelers staying in Puerto Natales can request transport from there.
Transfer to Bahía Laredo
A short transfer from the operator's office to the boarding pier at Bahía Laredo, north of Punta Arenas.
08:00
Crossing to Magdalena Island
The boat leaves Bahía Laredo for Magdalena Island, about 45 minutes across the Strait of Magellan. Watch the water for dolphins on the way.
Magdalena Island · 1 hour
You land on Magdalena and walk the marked trail through the penguin colony for one hour with your guide. Stay on the path and give the penguins at least 2 m of space.
Marta Island
Back on board, the boat sails around Marta Island, where sea lions haul out on the shore.
12:00
Return to Punta Arenas
The boat heads back across the strait to Bahía Laredo. Drop-off at your hotel in Punta Arenas, confirmed when you book.
Included and not included
Included
- Transport from Punta Arenas (from Puerto Natales, on request)
- Boat guide
- Natural monument entrance fee
- Snacks and coffee
Not included
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
What to bring and who it's for
What to bring
- Warm, waterproof clothing
- A hat with ear flaps and gloves
- Sun protection
- Comfortable shoes for the island walk
- A small backpack with a plastic bag to keep your camera dry (drones are not allowed on the island)
Who it's for
Open to all travelers. The island walk is short and rated easy by CONAF, so no hiking experience or special fitness is needed. You should be comfortable with an early start and a boat crossing in open water.
Good to know
- The trip depends on weather and sea conditions in the Strait of Magellan; the maritime authority and the captain decide whether the boat sails.
- CONAF limits each visit to 1 hour on Magdalena Island. Marta Island is seen from the boat.
- On the island you must stay on the trail and keep at least 2 m from the penguins. Feeding wildlife, pets, drones and any heat source are not allowed.
- The natural monument is open in the summer season and closes in winter.
- Expect wind and spray on deck: dress in warm, waterproof layers even on a sunny morning.
Where it happens
The map loads from Esri when you open it.
- Punta ArenasCheck-in at our boat partner's office in Punta Arenas.
- Bahía LaredoBoarding at the pier.
- Magdalena IslandOne hour on the trail through the penguin colony.
- Marta IslandThe boat circles the island to see the sea lions.
- Punta ArenasBack in Punta Arenas around midday.
Make it part of a trip
Combine it with other days in a trip designed around you.
Plan a tailor-made trip
Wildlife
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A 13-hour boat day from Punta Arenas past Cape Froward to look for humpback whales in Francisco Coloane and see two Santa Inés glaciers.
Full day
Hiking
Day Hike to Base of the Towers
A guided full-day hike in Torres del Paine to the lagoon at the foot of the three granite towers: about 22 km round trip, +1,400 m.
Full day
Ready to go?
FAQs
About 5.5 hours. Check-in in Punta Arenas is at 06:30, the boat leaves Bahía Laredo at 08:00, and you are back in Punta Arenas around 12:00. That includes one hour walking on Magdalena and a boat circuit around Marta Island.
Magdalena is where you land and walk the trail through the penguin colony. Marta Island is home to sea lions; you don't land there, but the boat sails around it so you can see them from the deck.
We run this trip from October to March. Magellanic penguins come to the island to breed during the summer season, and the natural monument closes to visitors in winter.
They are wild animals, so no sighting can be promised. The trip runs during the penguins' breeding season, when they nest on Magdalena. What most often changes the plan is the sea: the crossing depends on weather and sea conditions, so a departure can be changed or called off on the day.
About 45 minutes each way from the pier at Bahía Laredo, north of Punta Arenas. After the island walk the boat also sails around Marta Island before returning.
It's easy. CONAF rates the trail as easy: about 1.4 km, walked in about an hour.
Warm, waterproof clothing, a hat with ear flaps, gloves, sun protection and comfortable shoes. A plastic bag in your backpack keeps your camera dry on deck.
The trip starts in Punta Arenas, and transport from your hotel in Punta Arenas is included. If you are staying in Puerto Natales, transport from there can be arranged on request; with a 06:30 check-in, most travelers spend the night before in Punta Arenas.
SOURCES · Vertic field notes · conaf.cl