Penguins?

I saw penguins in South Africa last year and they are also tiny, I'm sorry to report. I hope perhaps the Falkland Islands will pan out for you.

I just saw some on a boat excursion from Ushuaia. It was definitely worth the trip from Ushuaia.

I’ve seen them in the Galapagos and in South Africa too, but there is nothing quite like seeing the cold weather ones.

We also did a boat excursion from Ushuaia. We saw several penguins. It was wonderful!

Hi Charlene,

My husband and I went to the Falklands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica a few years ago. In the Falklands we did two landings (the third one was canceled due to weather). The first island we stopped at required a long hike to the penguin colony and the footing was very treacherous when we got there. The second landing was a wet landing where you climb out of the zodiac into knee deep surf. In South Georgia Islands, we did wet landings and some of the hikes were on wet slippery slopes. One person slipped and fell in a stream on one of the excursions. In Antarctica it will again be wet landings or landings on large slippery rocks, snowy steep slopes, rocky beaches. I am sorry to say that this would not be a trip for you if you have balance issues. I would add that you will be required to get a doctor’s ok to go to Antarctica.

Thanks everyone! Mary it sounds like you visited the Falklands on a cruise? I was concerned about those landings, which is why I’m leaning towards flying to the Falklands and just doing a land tour. What time of year were you there?

Hi Charlene,

We were there in mid November but I would suggest going in January when the chicks will have hatched. I would check with the tour company on whether or not this is doable for you.

Thanks Mary. This is very helpful information.

When you say tiny, do you mean the size of the penguin, or the size of the group? I like penguins too and definitely got a good penguin fix at Boulders Beach near Cape Town, South Africa. The penguins are fairly small, but there were lots of them, both adults and young, very active on the beach and in the water, good viewing in a scenic spot. And of course there’s lots else to do in the Cape Town area as well.

In Galapagos the penguins were tiny and there weren’t a lot of them. My brother also recommended the South African penguins so I’ll have to look closer at those. I’ve never been to South Africa so that could be fun. Thanks!

If prepared to travel all the way to Australia, you won’t be disappointed with the penguins. https://www.penguins.org.au/attractions/penguin-parade/
Whilst in Australia, particularly Phillip Island in Victoria, you could also combine the trip with viewing koalas, kangaroos and other unique wildlife.

CharleneB,
KB and vg0608, who left from Ushuaia probably went to Isla de los Penguinos. We took a four day cruise with Australis Cruises from Punta Arenas, Chile. They also go to/from Ushuaia (Argentina). The ships (small, about 150 pasengers) went to the islands in the Straits of Magellan area by way of Zodiac boats. On the island we landed at a dock, so no need to wade ashore. The crew gave us a hand getting into and out of the boat, and there were lots of penguins, as that island was where they laid and hatched their eggs. We saw a lot!
The only difficult part might be boarding the Zodiac from the ship and getting back on to the ship. We were 71 and 72 then, and one of us was in need of two new knees at the time, and it was still doable. The crew were very helpful when we needed it.
We really liked the cruise and all its stops (nature, islands, etc....not any towns). It was educational but not stuffy, the cabins were nice and comfortable, the food was great, our fellow passengers congenial and fun, and there were no extra charges (all drinks were included).
We got a good penguin fix, and I would take another cruise with Australis in the same area. Have a fun time searching out the penguins! Here's to Happy Feet!