Adults
Golden patches.
FLACCY — CC0 · amanderson2 — CC BY 2.0 · Gillermo Adolfo — CC BY 3.0
A private nature reserve on the shore of Bahía Inútil on the island of Tierra del Fuego, home to a small colony of king penguins, the world's second-largest penguin species, which settled here relatively recently, making it one of the rare places to see them in South America. King penguins stand taller than other penguins, with silver-grey backs, white chests and golden-orange patches on the neck and bill. You may see their chicks in thick brown down like woolly coats, huddled among the adults on the grass. Visitors watch the colony from a set distance on paths and behind barriers, with guides explaining the birds' lives, to keep them undisturbed. Daily visitor numbers are limited. The trip is a full day from Punta Arenas, by ferry across the Strait of Magellan and then by car over the plains of Tierra del Fuego, so book ahead. Patagonian weather is changeable and the wind fierce, and boat trips can be cancelled suddenly, so keep a spare day and wear protective layers.
Golden patches.
Thick brown down.
Across the strait.
Bahía Inútil, Chilean Tierra del Fuego, a full day from Punta Arenas
No, viewing is from a set distance behind barriers to protect the colony, so bring binoculars or a zoom lens.