Punta Tombo Penguin Colony from Puerto Madryn with optional Toninas Watching
Description
Visit the most important Magellan’s Penguin Reservation of Latin America. It combines the magnificent experience of the observation of dolphins and penguins in their natural habitat. Punta Tombo is one of the most famous and visited coasts in the Argentinean Patagonia. Thousands of visitors gather here to be amazed at one of the most fascinating shows in nature: the Magellan penguin continental colony.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You'll go to Punta Tombo, a geographical accident that Magellan's penguin uses as habitat (entrance fee not included). It is located at 3 hours from Puerto Madryn, on the road you will have time to appreciate Patagonian lanscapes. At this stop, you'll have the chance to watch penguins in their own habitat as they scurry and play on the rocks. There, you'll have time to observe how the penguins coexist on the coast with other species, such as Gulls, Skúas, Giant Petrels, Cormorants, Ostreros and Pato Vapor and, given the extension of the area, typical species of the steppe like Guanacos, Choiques, Maras and Grey Foxes. You'll spend approximately an hour and a half at this stop.
Before going back to Puerto Madryn, you will make a stop at the Rawson's Port. If you chose the Toninas watching navigation, you'll embark to observe the Overas Toninas. The Overa Toninas are recognized for their similarity to the dolphins. They are no longer than a meter and a half. Puerto Rawson is one of the few places in the world where they can be observed in their natural habitat. These daring species usually escort ships, playing and showing their skills to the visitors who have the possibility to watch the spectacle. The navigation lasts approximately an hour and a half. The ones who didn't choose the navigation will have some free time to explore the port and why not enjoy a see food table (not included). You will be back to Puerto Madryn around 5 pm.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The pick up transfer is only from selected centrally located hotels. If your hotel is outside the geographic area, we will confirm you the closest meeting point. Indicate the name and address of your hotel.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The stop at the Rawson's Port is subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be able to stay longer at Punta Tombo, main stop of this tour and you will be given a full refund of the Toninas navigation in case you payed for this option.
- Season: From September to Mid-April
- Please note that lunch will be taken in the car, as we won't have time to stop : the road trip will take approx. 6 hours (round-trip). We suggest you to prepare sandwiches, if not you will still be able to buy food when we stop on the road.
- Cruise Passengers are not allowed to take this tour
- The option Punta Tombo Penguin Colony without Toninas is subject to changes in the itinerary. Can be changed from Playa Union to Gaiman.
Reviews(33)
most spectacular 'close encounters' with penguins and guanacos (wild llamas) imaginable...the one mile hike along the boardwalk affords the viewers countless very close encourters with penguins and their gosslings, as well as the occasional encounter with a guanaco.
The guide was very nice. But it’s not worth taking a tour, better just find a way to get to Punta Tombo as you basically just walk in the reserve by yourself. They take you to a tea house after, note that you can just not go and go for a walk as it’s the experience is so-so. 8k for tea + a (very very big) spread of butter toast, cakes and scones.
Dear We sincerely appreciate your feedback on your recent experience with our excursion to Punta Tombo. We are pleased to hear that you found the guide friendly and hope that you enjoyed everything you could. We regret that the excursion did not fully meet your expectations although we understand your perspective on the service. Regarding the visit to the tea house, we regret that it was not completely satisfactory. We take your comments on the value and quality of the dining experience provided into consideration and will evaluate this to ensure that our guests receive a service that matches their expectations. We appreciate your comments, as they help us to identify areas for improvement. Sincerely
A wonderful tour seeing so many penguins so close! And the toninas as well. Our guide was a real pro, very knowledgeable and really loving his job! Highly recommended tour that I would love to do again some dayz
A great tour to absolutely do if you’re in Puerto Madryn. Very well-organized and our tour guide was super!
On the coast of Chubut province and at the corresponding time of year, there is nothing that compares to the experience of going to see penguins in their habitat. The penguin is the main activity they must carry out in this region. There is also a small museum and Guanacos. (Entry fee may be paid in cash only).
It is a 2 hour trip from Puerto Madryn to punta Tombo, but the reserve is very interesting, You are able to walk along the different trails , the Penguins are so noisy calling each other to nest, but they and also friendly to take pictures (but do not touch them)It is a 20 minutes walk to the shore where the colony is bigger and you can see them swimming. One comment there is no WIFI or internet so be prepared to pay lunch in cash
Although guide & Punta Tombo was great (no issues there) the tour was not as advertised and poorly planned. First of all there was no tonina dolphin watching option (we didn’t buy online cuz reviews said it was a ripoff). Instead we went to to Welsh tea which we had no interest in (town is quite boring), which in turn only gave us 90 minutes(!) with the penguins. 90 minutes for a full day tour for the main attraction is just terrible value considering the price. We literally travelled thousands of miles and spent $1000’s to get there and only got 90 minutes in a rushed atmosphere. Again no fault of the tour guide who was great. Just the agency who designs it. We also found out others had paid less than half the amount we did. We paid over $220 basically for a 3 hour bus ride and a rushed visit to Punta Tombo. I considered 1 star but bumped up to 2 cuz guide was nice and accomodating (name was Juan).
Once seeing penguins in the wild, that was our wish. The area is impressive and there are many penguins that can be observed from nicely landscaped paths in close proximity. However, after 2.5 hours of driving we had to share this experience with many hundreds of other tourists who are carted up in large buses and still quite diminish the nature experience. It is recommended if possible to come füh in the morning or later afternoon.
Dear Matthias, Thanks for your comments, The south of Argentina is very interesting for a traveler who wants to see penguins for the first time. We are glad, though, that you could have had a good time in Patagonia. Thank you for your review! Best regards,
It is a place that deserves the view, it is beautiful very quiet and to see the amount of penguins there is impressive.
¡Muchas gracias por tus comentarios! Nos alegra saber que has pasado una linda experiencia y que quedes con ganas de volver. ¡Te esperamos nuevamente! Saludos,
Knowing what the nature of the animals that live there is was a wonderful experience, highly recommended for all kinds of people.
¡Muchas gracias por tus comentarios y por habernos elegido! ¡Esperamos tenerte nuevamente entre nuestros pasajeros! Saludos,
