Magdalena Island Boat Tour

4.9 / 5+100 reviews
Pingüino magallánico y faro de fondo
October to March

If you cancel your reservation up to 7 days before the start of the activity, we will refund you 100% of the reservation payment. No refunds will be issued on cancellation requests received after the indicated anticipation.

Free cancellation

You can reschedule your booking without any additional cost until 7 days before the beginning of the activiity.

Free rescheduling

Enjoy a relaxing navigation through the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island, with breathtaking landscapes and the amazing presence of Magellanic penguins.

Duration:

5 hours

Times:

07:10 am to 12:30 pm, 10:10 am to 03:30 pm and 01:40 pm to 06:00 pm

Meeting Point:

Embarcadero Tres Puentes, Punta Arenas

Included:

  • Navigation
  • Bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
  • Entrance fee to park

Not included:

  • Pickup at your accommodation (urban area)
  • Food

Weather:

In case of suspension for weather conditions, we will refund 100% of your payment.

  • Subject to weather conditions

Cancellation and rescheduling policy:

  • If you cancel your booking up to 7 days before the activity starts, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount paid to book. If you cancel with less notice, no refund will be issued.

What to bring:

  • Warm clothing
  • Waterproof clothing
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves
  • Water

Description

Experience the magic of the Navigation to Magdalena Island from Punta Arenas, crossing the legendary Strait of Magellan and discovering the amazing colony of Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat. A must-do excursion for those who dream of exploring the wild nature of Chilean Patagonia.


You will sail aboard a catamaran or a ferry, depending on the chosen option, during a journey of 1.5 to 2 hours through the waters of the strait. Along the way, you will enjoy panoramic views and, if you are lucky, you may spot sea lions and seabirds accompanying the navigation.


Upon arrival at Magdalena Island, you will walk along an 800-meter trail surrounded by between 5,000 and 10,000 penguins until reaching the island’s historic lighthouse, where you will admire the immensity of the Strait of Magellan and the breathtaking Patagonian landscapes. Walking close to the Magellanic penguin colonies will be an unforgettable experience that connects you with nature and history at the southern tip of the world.


We will then return onboard to begin the navigation back to Punta Arenas, closing a tour that combines nature, wildlife, and extraordinary landscapes in one of the most iconic destinations in Chile.


You can choose among the following options:


Magdalena Island Tour by Tourist Cabin Catamaran


  • Season: October to March.
  • Departures: 7:10 am to 12:30 pm or 1:40 pm to 6:30 pm.
  • Starts and ends at Muelle Prat.
  • Price:
    • Adult: CLP$ 105.000 per person.
    • Child (5 to 12 years): CLP$ 55.000 per person.
    • Infant (age 0 to 4, without a seat, on an adult's lap): free of charge.


Magdalena Island Tour by Ferry


  • Season: November to February.
  • Departures:
    • November: Friday from 2:40 PM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:10 AM to 3:30 PM.
    • December and January: daily from 10:10 AM to 3:30 PM.
    • ​February: daily from 10:10 AM to 3:30 PM; additionally, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 3:40 PM to 9:00 PM.
  • Starts and ends at Tres Puentes Pier.
  • Price:
    • Adult: CLP$ 96.000 per person.
    • Child (5 to 13 years): CLP$ 48.000 per person.
    • Infant (age 0 to 4, without a seat, on an adult's lap): free of charge.


Magdalena Island Tour by Plus Cabin Catamaran


  • Season: October to March.
  • Departures: 7:00 am to 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
  • Starts and ends at your accommodation in Punta Arenas.
  • Price:
    • Adult: CLP$ 135.000 per person.
    • Child (5 to 12 years): CLP$ 80.000 per person.
    • Infant (age 0 to 4, without a seat, on an adult's lap): free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Magellan penguins are migratory birds and are in the island from the beginning of October to the beginning of April, period in which the navigation is made.

  • The larger number of penguins is seen in December and January, months in which the colony is formed by about 10,000 specimens.

  • The penguin colony on the island is large. As the island is small, it is possible to see the penguins from less than one meter away during the walk. It is even common for penguins to enter the trail you are walking on; however, direct contact with them is strictly prohibited.

  • The Magdalena Island Boat Tour is a half-day tour that allows you to disembark on Magdalena Island, where you walk among more than 10,000 Magellanic penguins, a small-sized species that can be seen up close, just 1 to 2 meters away. In contrast, the Tierra del Fuego Full Day is a full-day tour that crosses to Tierra del Fuego Island to visit the King Penguin Park, where you observe, from boardwalks about 50 meters away, a small colony of 30 to 50 king penguins, a larger species that is uncommon in South America. Both tours offer different and complementary experiences, and most travelers choose to do both. If you prefer to do only one, choose Magdalena Island if your priority is to see a large number of penguins up close, or King Penguin if you are looking for a longer tour that combines landscapes, history, and nature.

  • The Magdalena Island tour can be done on two different types of vessels, and the main difference lies in their capacity, comfort, and onboard services:


    • Catamaran
    • Tourist Cabin: capacity for 120 passengers.
    • Plus Cabin: capacity for 48 passengers.
    • Equipped with 2 restrooms and 2 outdoor decks, perfect for taking photos and enjoying the views of the Strait of Magellan.
    • A smaller and cozier vessel, offering a more personalized experience.
    • Ferry
    • Total capacity of 170 passengers.
    • Features 2 indoor levels, 7 restrooms, and an onboard café (products not included in the tour price, cash payment only).
    • A larger vessel with more indoor space and greater stability in rough conditions.


    If you prefer a more intimate atmosphere with plenty of outdoor viewing space, the catamaran is the best choice. If you’d rather travel on a larger, sturdier ship that feels more stable in challenging weather, the ferry is the ideal option.

CLP$96.000
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