For some reason human beings have a strange fascination with penguins. It could be because they’re cute and lovable, or it could be because we’re interested in their strange waddles and incredible lifestyles. Whatever the reason, there’s no better place to get up close and personal with the penguins than at Isla Magdalena National Park in Patagonia, Chile.

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Visiting Isla Magdalena National Park

The only way to reach Isla Magdalena National Park is by boat from the mainland at Punta Arenas. Your trip over the Magellan will involve a small motorboat ride. Take note – we said small boat. That means you’re more likely to bounce across every wave you hit, which definitely isn’t as comfortable as the smooth ride you may be used to on the average ferry. Be prepared.

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Dress warmly. When the boat drops you off you’ll have an hour and a half to explore the island and watch the penguins. There certainly is no shortage of these little guys to look at, either. The island is home to more than 70,000 penguin couples (which translates to almost 150,000 individual penguins). There are more penguins on Isla Magdalena than there are humans in Punta Arenas.

Chilean Penguins

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There are four main penguin breeds that live throughout Chile. These include the Southern Rockhopper Penguin, the Macaroni Penguin, the Magellanic Penguin, and the Humboldt Penguin. All of the breeding sites are found at islands off the coast of Chile and they are very rarely found on the mainland.

The government of Chile has established special laws that bar fishing around the islands where penguins live. These laws have been established to protect their habitats and food supplies so that, unlike those found in the Falklands, the penguins in Chile do not starve to death.

Interacting with the Penguins on Isla Magdalena

Image: Flickmor

While the penguins here are allowed to roam free (you’re the visitor, after all) you shouldn’t stray off the designated path. Penguins are cute, but they’re not as friendly as the socially acclimated animals you may be used to meeting in the national parks back home. If you try to approach a penguin to pet him you’ll cause him to run and hide in his hole or you’ll cause stampede as all of the penguins attempt to flock together to protect themselves from – well – you.

Alright – so the penguins are off limits as far as touching is concerned, but you can take pictures. Make sure you follow the path to the lighthouse, where you’ll be met with some more incredible views. Dress warmly for the occasion. It’s often cold on the island and you won’t be able to leave until your boat returns for you.

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Despite our best efforts, the habits housing penguins around the world are suffering. If you are lucky enough to gain access to an island that allows visitors, make sure you leave it exactly as you found it. Do not feed the penguins, attempt to touch them, or leave behind any type of trash or debris. The better we can preserve their habitats the more likely it is these incredible creatures will continue to thrive for centuries to come.

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