WADDLING WITH PENGUINS IN PUNTA ARENAS: PATAGONIA
Punta Arenas reminded me in many ways of a blustery town in the Scottish Highlands. A cute little town and one of the gateways into Patagonia, the moment I had been putting off for 5 months of travel finally came true. Kitted up with a firm set of hiking boots and thermals, my adventures in Patagonia were about to begin.
I chose to stay 2 nights in Punta Arenas, mainly owed to my Airbnb hosts in Santiago who insisted it could not be missed. With dorm rooms looking unappealing in this part of Chile, I settled for a private room in an Airbnb which turned out to be the same price as a dorm bed. Score!
Exhausted from my silly o'clock flight on JetSMART, I checked into my comfy room, took a long nap and set about exploring the town and excursions on offer.
Now I know Patagonia is supposed to be expensive but...
The penguin tours in Punta Arenas were like seeing those amazing shoes half price one day and then back up to normal price the next.
I started regretting my decision to stay in Punta Arenas for a couple of nights. I know penguins are cute... but just how much would you pay to see a penguin?!
After exploring the town for the day and trying to find alternatives, I settled for the penguin tour. It turns out, it's pretty much the thing to do.
The Penguin Tour in Punta Arenas
The penguin tours in Punta Arenas head to Isla Magdalena. Around the beginning of December, an entire penguin colony arrives where the population rises to around 120,000 penguins. In the past, ferries have gone to Seno Otway, a much cheaper destination to experience the Magellanic Penguin colonies however there are no longer penguins on this island.
There's also a tour to see the King Penguins on Tierra del Fuego so before you sign up to a tour, it's best to decide which type of penguins you'd like to see. The tour to Tierra del Fuego is a full day tour where you'll see the penguins from a distance. For the Magellanic Penguins on Isla Magdalena, you'll be able to walk amongst them.
If you're looking to do some whale watching, the tours start at around CLP 245,000 ($375). For the price itself it wasn't for me. But I thought I'd mention it anyway. The whale season begins in December.
The cost...
It's not cheap. For a one hour tour on the island, it's the most expensive tour I've done. The cheapest tour company I found was with Solo Expediciones for CLP 63,000 (£72/$96). I hesitated to sign up and finally decided it would be a waste of a day to spend my first 24 hours in Patagonia sitting around not doing a whole lot.
Leaving at 6:30 am and returning at 1 pm, it's a half-day tour.
The water is so clear!
How was the tour?
Aside from the cost, it was pretty cool to waddle around the island with penguins. You're asked not to get too close and give them their space.
If you're lucky, you might even see them breeding!
First Stop: Sea Lions!
Cuties!!
If you can, go for the morning tour. The sea tends to be less choppy and there's more chance your boat will depart.
I didn't sign up for the whale tour but we were lucky enough to see some whales on the way to Isla Magdalena.
Is it a must-do?
I mean if penguins are your thing, don't let anyone stop you.
Personally, given the cost, if you're not too fussed about penguins you can totally skip this excursion and head straight to Puerto Natales upon arriving at Punta Arenas. The town itself is cute, but not a complete must-see on your adventures through Patagonia.
Where to stay in Punta Arenas
Hostel Entre Vientos: Cute and cozy abode, this hostel is clean, comfortable and feels like home. Prices start from $18.Check it out here.
Hostal Aventura Austral: A colourful hostel, it might feel more like a B&B than a hostel. Check for availability here.
Hostal Origen Patagonia: A great service, private rooms start from $50 a night. Check it out here.
Planning a trip or fancy a freebie? These are some websites and services I love:
Booking.com: For the best hotel deals! 🏝
World Nomads: Travel insurance on the go 🌎
Airbnb: For the best apartment deals!🏡
Affiliate links above!
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