Outings and excursions · Porvenir
King Penguin Park: the Bahía Inútil colony in Tierra del Fuego
Photos: amanderson2 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Near Porvenir, a colony of king penguins watched from a distance, with conservation and education in mind.
On the shores of Bahía Inútil (Useless Bay), in Chilean Tierra del Fuego, a group of king penguins chose to settle for good. To protect them, King Penguin Park was set up, opening in mid-2011 and combining research, education and sustainable tourism.
The colony
It began with a handful of birds and has grown: the first chicks were born in 2015. Today it has around a hundred penguins, watched from a distance so as not to disturb them.
Getting there
It is reached overland from Porvenir, or from Punta Arenas by ferry across the Strait of Magellan; there are full-day tours.
Tips
- Bring binoculars or a good zoom: getting close is not allowed.
- Dress warmly: the Fuegian wind is intense.
- Check the season and availability before you go.
