Punta Tombo

To visit Punta Tombo you leave the City of Puerto Madryn heading south. This is the greatest continental reserve of Magallanic penguins

The penguins arrive annually at this area to nest, breed, have their young and to molt before undertaking their return trip towards the northeastern coast of South America returning the following year.

The shore of peninsula is mostly rocky. It is 3,5 km in length and 600 meters wide. The beach area of Punta Tombo declines smoothly and gives the penguins an easy place to come ashore.
The entire landscape of the area is perfectly suited for the penguins to build their nests and raise their young. Walking on the defined footpaths, you may be surprised to observe the penguins next to. Depending on the season it is possible to observe male penguins excavating their caves, fighting for the territory, moving to or from the sea, looking for their nests or searching for their young. We will hear the continuous vocalizations which dominate the air. The adult penguins are warning other penguins to stay away or to attract their mates.

The penguins coexist with other marine birds that have chosen this site to nest like the kelp gull or southern gull, skuas, two species of cormorants - Royal and Rock, steamer ducks, Antarctic doves, and several giant species of sea birds including petrels. As you drive in the area you may see guanacos, armadillos, maras (Patagonian hare), lesser rhea and foxes.

Next we retrace our route and return to the city of Puerto Madryn