Chances are you became acquainted with penguins at a young age – likely from TV shows like Pingu – and told they were tuxedoed birds that love cold climates. For some, the charm of that image never waned. If you’re among them, don’t worry; you don’t need to make the trek to Antarctica. Truth is, multiple species of penguin inhabit a range of locations across the Southern Hemisphere. For you penguin enthusiasts, we’ve got seven destinations featuring your favorite flightless birds.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
You’ll find this famous cluster of volcanic isles six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador. The archipelago is home to a plethora of plant and animal species. Moreover, many of them are endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Among these is the only penguin you’ll find north of the equator – the Galápagos penguin. If you want to see them for yourself, your best bets are the islands Fernandina and Isabela, which house ninety percent of their population.
Phillip Island, Australia
Paying a visit to Melbourne? You’re only a stone’s throw from Phillip Island. The isle is a tourist hotspot, attracting upwards of 3.5 million visitors per year. Some come to see the endangered Burrunan dolphins; others hope to observe migratory whale populations. The majority, however, are drawn by the little penguins, or “fairy penguins” as the locals call them. Named for their short stature, these little fellas love to parade across the beach at sunset, winning hearts along the way.
Ballestas Islands, Peru
Beauty abounds on the Ballestas Islands. Awe-inspiring in their own right, the islands’ rock formations also provide shelter to a wide array of wildlife, including exotic birds like the blue-footed booby and marine mammals such as fur seals and sea lions. The main attraction, though, are the adorable Humboldt penguins. When visiting the islands, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for nests on the beach, or curious eyes peering out at you from naturally-occurring caves.
Boulders Beach, South Africa
Boulders Beach lies at the tip of the African continent, just south of Cape Town. Since they settled in 1982, the local colony of African penguins have attracted travellers from around the world. Watch them frolic in the sand, or waddle around the great granite boulders that give the beach its name. Better yet, sit back and watch their phenomenal diving skills at work, or hear their cry to understand why they’re nicknamed “jackass penguins.”
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Penguin-lovers, this archipelago is the place to be. Tierra del Fuego—Spanish for “Land of Fire”—houses not one, but three distinct species. You’ll find Magellanic penguins—a close relative of both Galápagos and Humboldt penguins—in droves. If you’re lucky, you might hear the trumpeting call of the gentoo penguin, or identify a king penguin by its bright yellow chest. And if that’s not enough, you can catch a cruise to Antarctica from Ushuaia, the isles’ capital city.
Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
There’s a lot to love about Banks Peninsula; you can visit large swathes of coastline, traverse landscapes carved out by volcanic activity, or meet its Maori inhabitants. If all that doesn’t entice you, perhaps the presence of little penguins will. What’s more, the peninsula houses a unique variety of little penguins with white flippers. See if you can spot some while you’re out and about.
Falkland Islands, Patagonia
If you’re well and truly obsessed with penguins, the Falkland Islands are your dream come true. No less than five species can be found across the isles; in addition to Magellanic penguins, gentoo penguins, and king penguins, you’re sure to spot red-eyed rockhopper penguins and bright-crested macaroni penguins. You can catch a flight to the Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom, or one of many South American cities. There are cruise and ferry options, too, if you’d prefer to take it slow and really drink in the sights.
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