(Source: Chilean National Tourist Service - Sernatur)

LOS PINGUINOS NATURAL MONUMENT (35 kilometers north of Punta Arenas)

This spectacular island inhabited by Magellan penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) is located some 35 kilometers north of Punta Arenas city. The sea trip to the island from the city through the Magellan Straits takes about 2 ½ hours.
The size of the colony is about 60,000 families, nesting all over the island. These penguins feed mainly on sardines and squid. The reproductive cycle is similar to that of the Otway colony. During migration, some specimens from this colony have been sighted as far north as the south coast of Brazil.

Activities that are possible are:

- Photography: along the coasts of the Straits of Magellan we will find a wide variety of flora and fauna, notably a colony of Magellan penguins. We will also see some ruins left by explorers and the first cattle ranchers to arrive in this area.

- Flora and fauna observation: in Magallanes province and specifically in the Straits of Magellan is located the largest colony of penguins in the area. Also there is a wide variety of birds to be found on the shores of the Straits and in the parks and nature reserves.

- Seagoing kayaking is an activity which has been considerably developed in this region during the last few years. This allows a closer contact with nature, while representing a lower environmental impact.



LEONA CAVE NATURAL MONUMENT (Villa Tehuelches, 131 kilometers north of Punta Arenas)