Argentina offers throughout the country the possibility of spotting a lot of wild animals due to the different ecosystems it has and the number of national parks and reserves that protect the environments.
Within all the animal life to discover in the Patagonian region there is a variety of birds that arouse much sympathy: the Penguins.
The worldwide distribution of this bird occurs almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere. Patagonia and some regions of South America are very special places due to their geographical location and also because of the cold temperature of the water, a necessary condition for the life of these animals.
Fun Facts:
Their wings became fins that allow them to be very good swimmers and thus fish for food.
It is the only species of bird that cannot fly.
The colors of the penguins work as a camouflage against their predators. Black is confused with the sea and soft with ice.
Both parents brood and take care of their pigeon.
All species inhabit the southern hemisphere except those of the Galapagos.
They are warm-blooded beings and they manage to maintain it thanks to fat and feathers at 39 degrees Celsius.
Most species are monogamous and maintain a reproductive pair throughout life.
If you want to travel and see them in Patagonia Argentina, we recommend these places:
Punta Tombo
It is located 110 kilometers from Trelew and 180 km from Puerto Madryn where normally everyone They lodge because it has the best hotels in the area.
In this amazing space on the coast of Chubut is the world's largest colony of Magellanic penguins (200 thousand breeding pairs). It is also the best option depending on the size that you can access with some ease.
Here once you enter the reserve you will be able to walk among penguins that They come and go from the sea to their nests where, depending on the time of year, their young are found.
The nature reserve has wooden paths that generate a walk to go. In one part of the trail it is possible to see the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches looking to the east and to the other side, in the west, the incessant movement of penguins going from here to there.
If you like photography you will be able to take portraits of the Penguins from less than one meter away.
Important to know that it does not have too much infrastructure. (There are bathrooms, a ticket collection office, a small business that sells basic things) so we recommend bringing food and drinks.
Seasons to see them
August or September: You can see the arrival of males and females, the territorial fight and the assembly of nests.
October: Incubation time of the eggs. Between 30 and 45 days.
November: Births and first care for the pigeons.
December: Growth and intense activity on the beach and seagulls and skuas stalking the nests.
January: The chicks leave the nest, shed their plumage and begin their forays into the sea.
February: Juveniles shed their plumage, occupy the beaches, and it becomes difficult to reach the sea.
March to April: The molt of the young ends, the adult molt begins and the migration to the north begins.
May, June , July and August: At this time of year you cannot see the Magellanic penguins because they are permanently in the sea feeding.
How to get there from Puerto Madryn
There is two f Ways to get there
1. Arrive driving. The road to take from Madryn is the national route number 3 (RN3) heading south. After 70 km, turn left onto Provincial Route 75 (RP75). Then provincial route number 1 (RP1) will appear on the road, which must be taken by turning to the right. If you don't have a car and
you want to rent one it is a very good option for those independent.
2. Buying a
full day excursion hat looks for you at your hotel in Puerto Madryn takes you on a bus with a specialized guide and brings you to the night back. On this tour there is the possibility of seeing Gaiman and taking a boat trip to watch toninas.
Martillo Island Ushuaia
Hammer Island is located in the Beagle Channel near the City of Ushuaia in the province of Tierra del Fuego. It is small since it has only 32 hectares of land and stones. Its name is due to the fact that it has a shape similar to the popular tool.
Here we are going to find the southernmost penguin colony in Argentina. Most of the specimens to observe are of the Magellan variety. The second variety that can be spotted is the Papua Penguins. With a bit of luck you will also see some specimens of the King Penguin and the variety Yellow Plume.
On the island there are also varieties of animal life to enjoy, such as:
Birds such as: Chilean Skua, black and imperial necked cormorants, albatrosses, petrels, maca, bandurrias and oystercatchers among other seabirds.
Marine mammals such as: One and two-haired sea lions, leopard seals, otter Lontra felina.
How to get there
The only way to get to the island that is protected is through the
nautical tour that departs from the city of Ushu aia ; The tour includes a visit to the attractions of the Beagle Channel such as the Isla de Lobos and the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. There are options to see the penguins from the boat and the stellar option is the one that you go down and take a
walk among the penguins. (Highly recommended)
Season: from October to April
Monte León National Park
It is a protected area on the Atlantic coast of the province of Santa Cruz in Patagonia Argentina. For those people who like to travel to places that are not touristy and that are still out of the massive traffic of nature lovers it is a great goal.
Not only It is interesting to observe the coast and the Patagonian steppe, but it also has a very abundant fauna and flora among its islands, shoals and cliffs.
It has 36 km of beaches that protect the biodiversity of the region. Magellan passed through here on his journey in search of the pass to the Pacific to reach India and its spices and marveled at these birds.
It constitutes the fourth largest colony large number of Magellanic penguins of the country with 60 thousand pairs that arrive in September and stay until April when they undertake a trip to the ocean in search of food. It has several viewpoints and trails to observe the fauna from different points.
How to get there
Access to the park is located at km 2400 of the RN 3. It is 540 km from Comodoro Rivadavia and 210 km from Rio Gallegos. If you want to rent a car it can be a very good alternative.
Cabo Vírgenes Nature Reserve
It is also within places with very little tourism and that is always an attraction for adventurous souls since the place is in a 100% natural state.
It houses a colony of 250 thousand Magellanic Penguins being the second largest in the country and the southernmost on a continental level. In September the males arrive to occupy the nests, generally the same ones from the previous year, then the females arrive and mate. In October they generally lay two eggs that will hatch for 40 days. In April the chicks are ready to begin their migration to the north.
Also in the area you can see these birds: Kelp gull, black-necked cormorant and southern bandurria, imperial cormorants, peregrine falcons, Antarctic pigeon, double-collared plover, biguá, witch heron, southern flamingo, common cauquén, great macá, Antarctic brown gull or subantarctic paalo, white sandpiper, southern gull and long-tailed tern.
It is highly recommended to stay at the Monte Money Ranch: In this ranch, a model of sheep farming, the Fenton family organizes visits to the sea lion and penguin rookery, as well as lunches and accommodation with prior reservation.
How to get there
It is 145 km one way by gravel road from Río Gallegos (km 0) taking the Route Nacional Nº 3 heading south. At km 12 you pass a police checkpoint with a barrier and at km 16 there is a road sign that indicates a detour to the left towards Provincial Route No. 1, from where there are 129 km to Cabo Vírgenes. Continue until the Gendarmería control at kilometer 90 and advance to the fork, where you have to turn right to reach the Monte Dinero ranch, located almost on the international border. From there there are 13 kilometers of footprint to Cabo Vírgenes.
Penguin Island
Pingüino Island is 21 km southeast of the city of Puerto Desired. There are currently 24 thousand pairs of Magellanic penguins and 1200 pairs of rockhopper penguins, a species that little by little and thanks to the protection they have It is recovering.
It is a space full of history and fauna. Among the remains of an old factory that processed sea lion fat and an old Argentine Navy lighthouse you can find Magellanic penguins, seagulls, terns, oystercatchers, skuas, wolves and southern elephant seals. However, the island's pearl is the friendly rockhopper penguin, which is characterized by yellow feathers on the sides of its head and red eyes. The neighborhood located in the Park is the only one that can be visited by tourists in the whole continent.
How to get there
The only way to get there is through the excursion to the island that leaves regularly in the season that runs from October to April, embarking at the desired port in a boat that leaves early in the morning to avoid strong winds. This excursion is highly recommended since the island is one of the paradises of birds and marine species of the South Atlantic.
Cabo Dos Bahías
Located south of the province of Chubut on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean is the Cabo do Bahías wildlife reserve. It can be traveled through an interpretive path that reaches the coast, crossing the area where there is a colony of about 20,000 individuals, mainly of Magellanic penguins that inhabit it from September to May . The view from the viewpoints should not be missed.
One of its salient features are the cliffs that fall into the ocean towards the beach, which is made up of large stones. The contrast between the reddish soil and the blue sea is also very attractive. As in almost all cases in this area we will find sea lions with two hairs and one hair, guanacos, choiques, armadillos, foxes, maras, a lot of variety of birds and occasionally you can see whales and dolphins.
How to get there
From Camarones, take the Rp1 heading south east. Keep in mind that the road is solid gravel so it is suggested not to go faster than 50 km per hour.
Ria Deseado
This Provincial reserve that protects the Deseado River estuary due to its biological importance. The first to arrive at this place was the British corsair Cavendish, who gave the estuary the same name as that of his ship (desire). It is the only river in South America that in remote geological times stopped pouring its waters into the ocean, allowing it to invade the old channel towards the continent.
Many can be seen varieties of birds, the most sought after being the Magellanic penguin. This reserve is totally different from the others since it is not located on the beach and the landscape of the zigzagging river between small cliffs is very beautiful.
How to get there
From the desired port there are options to do the visit on a boat tour or in a van. If you have your own car there are several points within the reserve to enter and enjoy the park.
Estancia San Lorenzo
This beautiful Patagonian ranch located on the Valdés peninsula has on its coast a colony of Magellanic penguins mind-blowing. It has 210 thousand couples according to the last census. It is clearly one of the most interesting immersion options for those who plan a trip to Puerto Madryn.
The rural establishment is also dedicated to the protection and study of penguins in a tourist environment, to the production of Australian merino wool. This place is prepared for your visit as there is a restaurant inside the complex where you can eat local delicacies, the star being the Patagonian lamb on the grill.
You can even schedule this excursion together with the tour to the Valdes Peninsula and whale watching. It is possible to visit it between the beginning of September and the last day of March.
There are 5 daily visits lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes for people who come to the ranch on their own.
These are the hours: 10 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm, 3:30 pm and 5 pm.
How to get there
From Puerto Madryn you can drive make the journey in two and a half hours. They are 159 km. The journey is made in this order rp1, rp2 and finally it is reached by rp3. Everything is very well indicated on the road signs since it is an area of high tourism in the season.
Punta Ninfas - Estancia el Pedral
Another of the best prepared proposals in the country since it is a private enterprise as in the case of the San Lorenzo ranch. We are talking about a reserve with the possibility of seeing fauna from very close. The walking tour among penguins is very special and is done in small groups, which generates a dynamic with a more careful environment than in Tombo, which receives large groups of tourists in season. There is the possibility of
visit for the day or stay to sleep and enjoy all the activities. It is recommended to go with children because the place has games and activities for the little ones.
The attractions of the visit are:
• Walk among penguins and their nests
• Visit to the Patagonian farmhouse
• Lunches and snacks in a very good restaurant
• Visit to the Punta Ninfas lighthouse
• Possibility to stay at the hotel and spend the night in a nature paradise.
Really a proposal that who can drink (the price is high) is very good because walking in the colony of Magellanic penguins and enjoying the starry nights make it, in a whole, a luxury proposal in the Puerto Madryn area
How to get there
It is 70 km from Puerto Madryn. You have to take the RP1 heading south until the junction with the RP5 where you have to turn left until you reach the property. You have to drive with caution because there are usually loose animals on the roads such as guanacos or maras.