Is Magdalena Island worth it?

Located 32 km northeast of Punta Arenas, in the middle of the Strait of Magellan, Magdalena Island is a must for animal lovers, hosting the greatest colony of penguins in the continental region. This island is a protected area since 1982, year in which it was renamed “Los Pinguinos Natural Moment”.



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How to Get There. Magdalena Island (Isla Magdalena)is accessible by boat, with tours departing regularly from the main pier in Punta Arenas. If you're not taking a guided tour, there's also a public ferry to the island that leaves from the Tres Puentes ferry dock, about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Plaza del Armas.

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Ferry tickets to Isla Magdalena run around 55,000 Chilean pesos (~$70 USD) and can be bought in advance at the Punta Arenas TABSA ferry terminal up to about one hour before the ferry's departure. During peak season, they can sell out, so don't wait – book in advance!

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There is 14,5% tax levied on each ticket and then 13% VAT. One of the ferries' major cost is fuel. and its price doubled since last year. There are 74 long distance ferries in Greece, 53 “conventional” and 21 “fast” (ie catamarans) ferries.

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Itinerary. Access the Îles de la Madeleine through this 5-hour crossing between Prince Edward Island and the Madelinot archipelago. Get on board and appreciate the crew's courtesy, the comfort of the ship and the many services offered. You will live a true experience of relaxation and pleasure on the sea.

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But you can only reach Isla Magdalena by boat from December through February; tours are not in operation during the rest of the year. Turismo Comapa offers tours by melinka ferry on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Expect to pay roughly 15,000 CLP (about $30 USD).

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In order to get out to the Magellanic penguins, you can join a tour from Punta Arenas. Tours are a little more expensive than going on your own, but to me, they are worth it because you spend less time on a boat, have additional wildlife spotting stops, and have a knowledgeable guide!

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Its population: over 100,000 Magellanic penguins, who come here every year from October to March to hatch their eggs and rear their young. In 1967 Isla Magdalena was declared a nature reserve, and it's been an official national park since 1983. The only humans who live on the island are the park rangers.

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But when should you go to Antarctica to see penguins? Trips to Antarctica travel between November and March yet it's important to know exactly which penguins are doing what during which months so you don't go at a time when penguin viewing will be less than stellar. November is a beautiful time to go to Antarctica.

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Magdalena Bay, or Bahía Magdalena in Spanish, is a 50 km long bay, and about 200 km of lagoons and channels on the Pacific side of the Baja California Sur, in the municipality of Comondú.

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