12 Best Places To See Chile and Argentina Penguins

Would you like to see a huddle of (mostly) black and white flightless birds? Be amused at a waddle of short-legged, webbed-foot creatures on land? Let’s know more about this unique seabird and look at Chile and Argentina penguins.

Regardless of the collective names these social animals go by, penguins are among the world’s most popular and much-loved animals. Millions of penguin pairs of different species reside in the southern hemisphere, particularly in Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia, making visiting penguins one of the best things to do in Patagonia.

What makes these South American penguins special? Where can they be found? This article will surface answers to these questions, hoping to give you helpful information should you decide to go penguin watching in Patagonia. 

Breeds of Penguins in Argentina and Chile

Unlike common perception, penguins don’t just live in frosty climates; in fact, there are no penguins in the Arctic region. Penguins thrive in widely varied habitats. 

While Argentina and Chile are geographically close, they have diverse climates ranging from subpolar oceanic, temperate, and tropical to arid. With temperatures as high as 82° Fahrenheit (28° Celsius) to as low as 46°F (8°C), these 2 countries’ environments are ideal for penguins. 

There are 18 known breeds of penguins in the world, out of which 5 exist in Argentina and Chile. These are the Magellanic, King, Gentoo, Rockhopper, and Macaroni species.

Here are some examples of penguins that make Argentina and Chile their homes. Knowing where the different penguin species abound in these countries will help you to plan your trip when you are still undecided about whether to visit either Argentina or Chile to see penguins.

Southern Rockhopper Penguins

Rockhoppers are the smallest breed of penguins that exist. They are about 6.6 pounds (3 kilograms) and have red eyes. 

One noticeable feature is the yellow stripes above each eye, extending into the black crest on the back of the head. 

Macaroni Penguins

Macaroni penguins are found in 9 breeding sites in Argentina and Chile. They are larger than Rockhoppers, with an average weight of 12.12 lbs (5.5 kg). Macaroni penguins have distinct red eyes and pink legs. 

The head is bluish-black with a golden crest that grows backward from the forehead to the back of the head. 

Magellanic Penguins

Magellanic penguins weigh around 8.8 lbs (4 kg). They have 2 features distinguishing them from the other 2 breeds mentioned above. 

Firstly, their head is black and has 2 broad white stripes beneath the throat. One stripe stretches to the leg, and the other goes above the eye. 

Secondly, they don’t have a yellow or golden crest.

You should easily recognize a Magellanic penguin if you are on Chile and Argentina’s Pacific and Atlantic coast.

Gentoo Penguins

Apart from the common penguins in both countries, Argentina has a new breed called Gentoo. This breed is the second largest in the Falkland Islands. They are about 11 inches (80 centimeters) in length and weigh up to 11 lbs. (5 kg).

They have orange feet with a reddish-orange bill. They also have a white patch above the eye, making them quite recognizable from a distance.

Where To See Chile and Argentina Penguins

If you are an ornithologist traveling to Argentina and Chile or a citizen of these 2 countries, here are some places you should visit to see this interesting animal. 

In Argentina

If you are going to Argentina, you should visit famous places where penguins of different breeds live. Knowing these places beforehand will make your trip easier and more productive.

Ushuaia

It is said that Ushuaia is the “end of the world” because it is the gateway to Antarctica, the world’s southernmost continent and the homeland of penguins. Ushuaia’s closeness to Antarctica is why it is a hot spot for seeing penguins from November till February.

You can visit Ushuaia by booking a flight that will land 2.5 miles (4 km) south of the city center or by taking a bus from different spots in Argentina. Traveling costs will depend on your point of origin.

Puerto Deseado

Rockhoppers and Magellanic penguins dominate Puerto Deseado in the province of Santa Cruz. At Isla Pingüino (Penguin Island) Interjurisdictional Park, a protected area 12 mi (20 km) from the city center, you can find a colony of 30,000 penguins.

If you ever plan to travel to Puerto Deseado for the penguins, take note that the nearest airport is 184 mi (297 km) from the port city, so arrange your ride right after you have landed. 

Puerto Madryn

The Punta Tombo Nature Reserve at Puerto Madryn is the best and the largest place to see penguins. It is home to over half a million penguins and has numerous colonies dominated by Magellanic penguins. Make sure you land on the plains of Puerto Madryn from September to April for the best penguin viewing.

Peninsula Valdes

Peninsula Valdes is also home to many penguins. There are around 7 colonies inside the peninsula; Estancia San Lorenzo is the biggest colony sheltering 300,000 penguins.

Visit this location, especially in September when male penguins arrive through the sea to build their nests and in October when female penguins join them.

Bahia Bustamante

One of the 3 best places to visit in Patagonia, Bahia Bustamante is a breeding ground for 10,000 Magellanic penguins and other breathtaking animal species. Therefore, if you are a traveler who enjoys being around animals, you should consider visiting this place.

El Pedral

The Estancia (farmhouse) El Pedral is best visited in September and October when a growing colony of friendly Magellanic penguins arrives. The estancia’s management takes good care of their coastal habitat. You can also observe some elephant seals and sea lions on the beach. 

In Chile

Chile has many places where penguins live. These places are a bit tricky to travel to, but if you manage, you may just have the most memorable experience of your life. 

Below are some places you should visit for the best penguin watching.

Punta Arenas

When you visit Punta Arenas, you can see 2 breeds, the King and the Magellanic penguins. Compared to the other places mentioned below, the population of penguins here is smaller, so you might have a more difficult time trying to view penguins.

Magdalena Island

Magdalena Island is 2 hours away from Punta Arenas. It has the largest population of Magellanic penguin colonies in Chile. 

The best time to visit Magdalena Island is February because you can see baby penguins across the seashore and get a chance to walk with them, making your trip worth it. 

Keep in mind that the temperature of Magdalena Island can change any day, which makes your trip to this part of Chile challenging.

Porvenir

Porvenir is a tiny town with less than 5,000 inhabitants. This tiny town has broken roads, so if you think of traveling by bus, that will not be the most comfortable option. It takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach King Penguin Park in Bahía Inútil at Porvenir.

King penguins are usually found in the Falkland Islands or islands near Antarctica. However, to avoid such extreme Antarctic weather, you can visit Bahia Inutil in southern Chile. There may not be a lot of King penguins there, but after waiting, sighting a few would be worth your while.

Cachagua

Cachagua Island is 47 mi (75 km) north of Valparaiso. These islands provide a home to a breed of penguins that are close to extinction, the Humboldt penguins. These penguins were named after a great explorer, Alexander von Humboldt.

They live along the coast of Chile and Peru, and their number has dwindled to 50,000. So, plan your trip to Chile or Peru as soon as possible and be among the lucky ones to behold this special breed of penguin before it becomes extinct.

Sento Otway

Sento Otway is a vast land for many penguins and one of the most popular wildlife preserves near southern Chile. You should visit a large group of penguins (around 100,000) in November when they hatch the eggs they laid the previous month.

Isla Damas

Isla Damas is a prime breeding spot for Humboldts. Around 80% of the world’s Humboldt penguin population lives here.

This place is also a prime breeding ground for sea lions and is available for sighting.

When To See Penguins in Argentina and Chile

In both Argentina and Chile, you should aim to visit them from October to March. The Antarctic coastline, which includes Argentina and Chile, is filled with penguins because these penguins breed along the coasts of Antarctica.

If you are worried about whether penguins will return, then it’d be good to know that penguins return to the same breeding grounds every year. Millions of penguins travel to the coast of these 2 countries to breed.

Important Things to Know When Watching Penguins

You should know that penguins are friendly. Their friendly nature allows you to take pictures with them as well. If you would get actively engaged with a penguin, it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes that will certainly get wet and dirty.

As a visitor, do not feed the penguins the snacks you brought. If you want to feed them, ask the penguin keepers to hand over the food for the penguins. Also, avoid touching the penguins, they’re wild animals and should stay that way. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Chile and Argentina Penguins

Where Can You See Penguins in Argentina?

You can see penguins in various places in Argentina, including Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn, Punta Delgada, Playa Union, and Puerto San Julian.

Are There Any Penguins in Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Only those at the Buenos Aires Eco-Park (formerly Zoo) in the district of Palermo. 

There are no natural colonies of penguins in the city of Buenos Aires since the various breeds mostly live in the ocean or the coasts. 

Where Can You See Penguins in Chile?

Chile is another homeland for penguins. Penguins swim through the ocean and nest on different parts of Chile’s coastline. 

Some of these places are Punta Arenas, Magdalena Island, Povenir, Cachagua, Strait of Magellan. 

Are There Any Penguins in Antarctica?

While penguins are abundant along the coasts of Antarctica, especially in the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ross Sea, they are not land-dwelling animals but are considered coastal animals. 

No penguins are at the South Pole, despite the misconception portrayed in popular media and cartoons.

Conclusion – Chile and Argentina Penguins

Observing and interacting with penguins in their natural habitats may be one of the most wonderful and delightful experiences during your adventures in Chile and Argentina. 

Unfortunately, most of these penguin breeds are becoming vulnerable and endangered mostly because of oil spills, overfishing, pollution, and warming oceans, mostly human-made and avoidable occurrences. 

We could help with nature conservation efforts by being sustainable travelers and checking out available volunteer opportunities to protect the penguins. 

Related reads: 

• Patagonia Itinerary: 3 Best Travel Guides From Chile To Argentina
• 23 Things To Do in Bariloche, Argentina