DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
From October to March, the Magellan penguins return to land after months at sea, arriving in southern Chile to mate, creating a stirring spectacle for those fortunate enough to be in this distant part of the world at the time.

At Otway Bay, 50 miles northwest of Punta Arenas, the Magellan penguins return each year to land to mate, living in large groups along the beach. Dubbed the "bird children" by the local human residents, the penguins are small, measuring up to 70 centimetres tall, and have a white chest and black back like most penguin species. Watching them waddle along the beach or slip into the sea tends to produce a sense of wonder among observers. This explains why some 35,000 people visit the site each year.

The Magellan penguins (Sphenicus Magellanicus), one of nine penguin species found in Chile, arrive each October to mate on the small islands of Patagonia in Tierra del Fuego and on the beaches of Otway Bay. The climate of this region in the extreme south of Chile, some 2,000 kilometres from Santiago, is cold and cloudy, with winds blowing from Antarctica that can easily reach speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. The Magellan penguins can live up to 20 years, and usually maintain the same mate throughout their lifetime, returning here to the same nests they occupied the previous year. A penguin pair usually has two offspring per year, although three is not unheard of. Usually only the strongest survives. These flightless birds can dive to depths of 120 meters and swim as fast as 40 kilometres per hour through these frigid waters, where they feed on krill and plankton.

For the last ten years, the Otway Foundation has been in charge of the bay's environmental management. When they we began the task of protecting the area, there were just 400 penguins left. The colony was on the verge of disappearing. Today the colony numbers more than 10,000. However, threats remain, such as global climate change, over-fishing and oil spills, which alter their habitat and affect their food sources.

To reach the actual nests and beaches where the penguins live, it is necessary to leave the coach and walk approximately three quarters of a mile, each way, on trails that are unpaved and uneven. A guide is always on-hand to assist and answer questions. A camera is a must, since there are some great opportunities for close-up photos of these friendly creatures. Flights of wild geese and the occasional fox may be spotted along the way as part of the rich fauna of the Chilean Patagonia.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
From October to March, the Magellan penguins return to land after months at sea, arriving in southern Chile to mate, creating a stirring spectacle for those fortunate enough to be in this distant part of the world at the time. The beaches of Otway Bay, 50 miles northwest of Punta Arenas, are one of their favoured haunts. Be sure to bring your camera, since there are some great opportunities for close-up photos of these friendly creatures.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 01:15 Drive from pier to Otway Bay
01:15 - 02:45 Otway Bay (optional hot drinks and cookies)
02:45 - 04:00 Return drive to the pier to rejoin ship

Approximate duration: 4 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- NOTE: this excursion can operate with or without a cup of hot chocolate and homemade cookies served at Otway Bay
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide
- Bottled mineral water included
- Should numbers be high, we recommend staggering the departures from the pier in order to avoid overcrowding at the penguin colony
- Activity level is Moderate

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