Magdalena Island Penguin Colony Walk
A boat trip to Isla Magdalena in the Strait of Magellan, home to 120,000 Magellanic penguins nesting in burrows across a windswept island.
- 1
Punta Arenas Ferry Terminal
Boats depart from the terminal for the 90-minute crossing to Isla Magdalena, one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in the world.
- 2
Magdalena Island Landing
The island greets visitors with thousands of penguins standing on the landing area, utterly unafraid and seemingly curious about the human visitors.
- 3
Penguin Burrow Trail
A marked circular trail winds through the colony, where penguins nest in burrows on either side of the path and peer out at passing visitors.
- 4
Nesting Zone Overlook
From a gentle rise, the full extent of the colony becomes visible — a living carpet of black-and-white birds stretching across the windswept island.
- 5
Historic Lighthouse
The red-and-white lighthouse has guided ships through the strait since 1902, its beam now a backdrop to the extraordinary penguin spectacle below.
- 6
Return Strait Crossing
The return crossing often encounters South American sea lions and Peale's dolphins, rounding off an unforgettable wildlife excursion.