Penguins are one of the highlights in Peninsula Valdes area and can be seen in the area from September to March/April. And can be watched in two places: Punta Tombo, located to the south of Puerto Madryn, and also in Estancia San Lorenzo in the Peninsula. Now, September and October is mating season. Then, male penguins begin to arrive to reconditioning their nests and one month after that, female penguins arrive which lays only two eggs around October. After around 35-40 days of incubation (activity shared between the male and the female), new penguins are born. Both males and females preserve the nest and feed the chicks with anchovies and squid. These chicks are covered with a dark gray down that they move in February by a plumage that will allow them to go into the sea to find their own food. Just a year later they acquire adult plumage. Take a look below, to the penguin season to enjoy these incredible animals in Patagonia:
Penguins in Peninsula Valdes: when to see them?
Penguins can be seen from September to April in the area of Peninsula Valdes and Punta Tombo.
Check more information about South American Penguins in our article about the Magellanic Penguins, where to see them, and when to go
The Magellanic Penguin
Magellanic penguins travel in large flocks when hunting for food. In the breeding season, these birds gather in large nesting colonies at the coasts of Argentina, southern Chile, and the Islas Malvinas.  The breeding season begins with the arrival of adult Magellanic penguins at the breeding colonies in September and extends into late February and March when the chicks are mature enough to leave the colonies.  One of the largest of these colonies is located at Punta Tombo and the other one is located in San Lorenzo, in the north shore of Peninsula Valdes. Nests are built under bushes or in burrows. Two eggs are laid. Incubation lasts 39–42 days, a task which the parents share in 10- to 15-day shifts. The chicks are cared for by both parents for 29 days and are fed every two to three days. Normally, both are raised through adulthood, though occasionally only one chick is raised. A successful Magellanic is considered to be able to raise 0.7 chicks on average per breeding season. Magellanic penguins lay eggs in warm places where the temperature remains over 20℃.
Where to see Penguins in Argentina and Chile?
Check our following infographic to see where you can see penguins in Argentina and Chile:
Tours to visit Peninsula Valdes and see the amazing penguins!
We have many tours to visit Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes area, combined with other amazing destinations in Argentina. One of my favorites is the 101 – Visiting Argentina Tour, an amazing 12 night tour. Check more information by clicking in the image below
