The penguin season on the Patagonian Atlantic coast is currently at its peak activity.
During these months, thousands of specimens return to their colonies to reproduce.
In particular, the Magellanic penguin migrates thousands of kilometers during the winter chasing its food northward.
From the spring, these birds return to the Patagonian coasts seeking the same nest from the previous year to reunite with their partner.
Visitors have time until March or early April to observe these birds in their natural habitat.
The season allows observing the incubation of two eggs and the rearing of chicks that are especially seen during the summer.
Then, in April, the penguins return to the sea in search of warmer waters.
Must-see destinations in the penguin season
Among the favorite destinations for the season, Punta Tombo in Chubut hosts the largest continental colony in the world of Magellanic penguins.
With facilities prepared with marked trails and an interpretation center, this area attracts visitors of all ages.
The region also offers private reserves like Estancia San Lorenzo within the Valdés Peninsula.
Thousands of pairs arrive there each season, and the experience is combined with visits to the ranch and a country lunch in the old shearing shed.
Meanwhile, Punta Ninfas, in the territory of Estancia El Pedral, presents a relatively young colony.
On September 4, 2025, the first penguin arrived at this site protected as a Natural Wildlife Refuge.
The colony originated in 2009 when just 14 exploratory pairs chose these beaches to nest.
Today, thousands of individuals return every spring, raising their chicks a few meters from the cliffs.
A unique species in Puerto Deseado
Another key destination is Puerto Deseado in Santa Cruz, which offers a unique sighting during the season: the rockhopper penguin.
This species boasts a “punk” style crest and prominent eyebrows that form an almost fluorescent greenish-yellow and very striking crest.
These penguins nest in the Isla Pingüino Interjurisdictional Park, 20 kilometers from the city. It is reached by an ocean navigation, and there they coexist with a colony of Magellanic penguins.
It is the closest place to the continent where this species can be observed in its natural habitat. The other options are the Falkland Islands or Antarctica.
The options for the penguin season in Santa Cruz
The Monte León National Park in Santa Cruz hosts a colony of 40,000 pairs of Magellanic penguins. The Pingüinera trail offers panoramic views of the colony on a one-and-a-half-hour tour.
Entry to the park is free, and it can be visited all year round. The most pleasant temperatures are recorded from October to April, coinciding with the peak of the season.
Cabo Vírgenes is the second largest penguin colony in South America. It is located 135 km from Río Gallegos and is mystical due to its proximity to the lighthouse of the same name and km 0 of the National Route 40.
The main colonies of the season
- Punta Tombo (Chubut): largest continental colony in the world
- Estancia San Lorenzo (Valdés Peninsula): thousands of pairs with estancia experience
- Punta Ninfas (Chubut): young colony protected since 2009
- Isla Pingüino (Puerto Deseado): unique with rockhopper penguins
- Monte León (Santa Cruz): 40,000 pairs and free entry
- Cabo Vírgenes (Santa Cruz): second largest penguin colony in South America
The Global Penguin Society organized beach cleaning days before the arrival of the first penguins.
These actions aim to keep nature free of plastic waste that poses a threat to the species.
