On GetYourGuide as Punta Arenas: Boat Trip to Magdalena Island and Walk with Penguins · operator Caminos Tours
The best way to see the Magdalena penguins if your morning is taken: a catamaran from Muelle Prat in the city centre, with an afternoon sailing. Expect a long wait at check-in and a full boat; the hour on the island is the same as on every tour.
A 6-hour trip from Muelle Prat: a safety briefing, about 90 minutes on a catamaran, one hour on Isla Magdalena and the same crossing back. Boarding passes and instructions arrive by WhatsApp before the day. There is no Isla Marta stop — that is only on the Magdalena + Marta morning tour.
Three of the six hours are on the catamaran, one on the island; the afternoon sailing returns in the early evening. The operator lists a 10-minute van ride and a 10-minute safety briefing at the pier before boarding. Guests report waiting 60–90 minutes at check-in, so the real day can run longer.
The catamaran has an outdoor deck, and guests on the way out have seen dolphins and whales in the Strait. On a full boat the crew lead the walk in a steady stream from landing to the lighthouse and back, so the hour feels short.
On the map: Muelle Prat, Isla Magdalena
Source: the tour's itinerary on GetYourGuide, Nov 2026 · guest reviews
The $170 covers the catamaran, the guided walk and a bilingual guide; hotel transfer, food and drinks cost extra. Bring water and a snack — guests say one agency added bottled water, but it is not listed. Extras on every tour: Punta Arenas penguin tour price.
Guests score this tour 4.7 from 73 reviews, with 4.8 for the guides and 4.3 for value. They praise the crew’s explanations and the dolphins on the crossing; the recurring complaint is a check-in of an hour or more before the boat leaves.
Source: verified GetYourGuide reviews, checked Nov 2026
“Our trip was cancelled and rescheduled due to the weather conditions. The operator went an extra mile to change our tour so we wouldn't miss the experience. Patagonia can be very tricky with the weather so have an extra day in case the tour gets cancelled. One hour on the island passes very quickly but it is enough to see everything and experience the wildlife.”
“Really nice for anyone who likes animals. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to those who get seasick, because the Strait of Magellan can get really rough, but that has nothing to do with the organization and quality of the tour. Overall, it's a must-do: a highlight in the Punta Arenas region.”
“It was a wonderful experience to see penguins in the wild. The boat ride there was also eventful; we saw dolphins and sea lions. The guide told us a lot about the landscape, history, and animals. The only annoying thing was the check-in, which dragged on for over an hour.”
“Good and comfortable trip by ferry to Isla Magdalena. There was a crew of boat personnel orchestrating the parade of tourists onto, during the walk, and off the island. Too many people for us, but the penguins and the landscape and lighthouse were fabulous.”
Muelle Prat (Arturo Prat pier)
Av. Costanera del Estrecho de Magallanes 1398, Punta Arenas
Penguins after lunch — from $170 per person, 4.7 from 73 reviews.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before; a weather cancellation gets a new date or a refund.
Live dates and seats from GetYourGuide
Our availability check showed a 13:30 sailing alongside the morning one; the listing’s description gives 6:00 and 12:30 with returns at 12:30 and 18:30. The booking calendar shows the current times for your date.
Afternoon sailings face the same port closures as morning ones, and guests describe the wind picking up as the day goes on. Keep a spare morning in case the operator reschedules.
No — the meeting point is Muelle Prat, and a hotel transfer is a paid add-on when you book. One guest whose tour was rescheduled was given a free pickup.
Meals and drinks are not included, and nothing is sold on the island. Bring water and a snack for the six hours.
The listing gives an 800 m trail to the 1902 lighthouse, walked in about an hour. Other sources measure the loop at 850 m to 1.4 km.
No. Drones are banned on this tour and across protected areas in the Magallanes region, as are touching or feeding the animals.