King Penguin Park (Bahía Inútil)
Parque Pingüino Rey
A colony of king penguins on the beach at Bahía Inútil on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego, one of the few places near the South American mainland where king penguins can be seen.
A king penguin colony settled on a private ranch beach at Bahía Inútil around 2010. It is now the King Penguin Reserve, home to about a hundred king penguins. From Punta Arenas, you take a ferry across the strait to Porvenir, then drive to the site. A day trip takes about 12 to 14 hours round trip. Visitors may only observe the penguins from designated viewing points, at a distance of about 30 meters, using binoculars, and may not approach them. Tickets must be booked in advance (over 20,000 Chilean pesos), and ferry tickets must be reserved whether you travel on a tour or drive yourself.
Opening hours
Reservation required; open about Oct–Apr (check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Magdalena Island (Los Pingüinos Natural Monument)
- Zona Franca (Zofri) Punta Arenas
- Fuerte Bulnes & Puerto del Hambre
- Museo del Recuerdo
- Nao Victoria Museum
- Monumento al Ovejero
- Sara Braun Municipal Cemetery
- Salesian Museum Maggiorino Borgatello