we did a private tour to Punta Tombo in a 2004 cruise. It was amazing to see over 200k penguins. We did a private tour and had an excellent time with them. The ride down to the rookery is long, but we made a stop on the way there and on the way back. It is best to arrive before the tour buses get there. We also saw the penguins at Bluff Cove Rookery in the Falklands - only few hundred penguins here, but the background scenery was better here. Did not do the tour to Magdalena Island - 2 penguin driven excursions was enough for us. According to my research, there are about 60k penguins at Magdalena. For us, since the scenery from the ship was incredible, any excursion aboard another boat was not a priority.
In summary, I don't think there is a wrong choice to make here. But beware that bad weather could cancel any of them (because the ship can not dock or because the seas are to rough for the bus ferry). So, if penguins are important to you, I would consider arranging penguin tours in 2 of the ports.
By the way, we are repeating the SA itinerary this coming December. However, we are making an effort to visit different places this time around. For example, horseback riding in Peninsula Valdes (Puerto Madryn), and a visit to a King Penguin rookery (Volunteer Point) in the Falklands.
Which penguin tour is preferred in SA? Magdalena Island or Punta Tombo?
in South America
Posted
we did a private tour to Punta Tombo in a 2004 cruise. It was amazing to see over 200k penguins. We did a private tour and had an excellent time with them. The ride down to the rookery is long, but we made a stop on the way there and on the way back. It is best to arrive before the tour buses get there. We also saw the penguins at Bluff Cove Rookery in the Falklands - only few hundred penguins here, but the background scenery was better here. Did not do the tour to Magdalena Island - 2 penguin driven excursions was enough for us. According to my research, there are about 60k penguins at Magdalena. For us, since the scenery from the ship was incredible, any excursion aboard another boat was not a priority.
In summary, I don't think there is a wrong choice to make here. But beware that bad weather could cancel any of them (because the ship can not dock or because the seas are to rough for the bus ferry). So, if penguins are important to you, I would consider arranging penguin tours in 2 of the ports.
By the way, we are repeating the SA itinerary this coming December. However, we are making an effort to visit different places this time around. For example, horseback riding in Peninsula Valdes (Puerto Madryn), and a visit to a King Penguin rookery (Volunteer Point) in the Falklands.
Greetings,
Noel