Punta Arenas: Magdalena & Marta Islands
- Duration
- 5 Hours
- Prices:
- On request
Magdalena Island plays host to more than 150 000 penguins every year and Marta Island hosts around 1000 sea lions as well as Cormorants, Skuas, Austral seagull, Antarctic pigeon and Sea elephants. Both islands form an interesting ecosystem, making a visit a must for any visitor. Magdalena Island allows you to interact with one of the major colonies of Magellan Penguins. The cruise itself also offers chances to spot Austral Dolphins and Overas Toninas (dolphins).
You will be picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas and transferred to the dock where your half day cruise begins. Travel towards Magdalena Island, located right in the middle of the Strait of Magellan, 35 kilometers north from the City of Punta Arenas. The Magellan Strait is a sea route made famous by the brave explorers, such as, Sir Francis Drake, Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, Hernando de Magallanes and Charles Darwin, among others as they searched for an alternate to punishing "rounding of the Horn" at the end of the world.
Magdalena Island was declared a National Park in August 1966 and re-classified as natural monument in 1982. You spend approximately 1 hour with your guide as you "navigate" among the plethora of Magellanic Penguins, in the largest colony of South America. Then continue to Isla Marta to see sea lions -- no apologies for the alliteration - as well as imperial cormorants and hundreds of southern gulls. Depending on your luck you may also se en route, Austral Dolphins. To protect wild life, Marta Island is only circumnavigated to admire and photograph the Colony and the diversity of marine birds that live there.
Continue onto the lighthouse, from where you will have great panoramic views of the island and surrounding areas. Return to Punta Arenas.
Duration: 5 Hours
Departs: 8 a.m. - Returns: 1 p.m.
From: Punta Arenas
