Today is Penguin Awareness Day, who doesn’t love these cute creatures. However where can you go and see them in their natural habitat?
The first answer most people give is the obvious one – Antarctica. You can’t stay there but can visit as part of an expedition or discovery type cruise. Often starting in Ushuaia in Argentina and presenting so many opportunities for some fantastic photography – these cruis
es are a great way to explore the continent and interact with penguins in both the Falkland Islands and Antarctica.
The Galapagos Islands are another place that are home to penguins. Another destination rich in natural wonders and unique species. You can get to the islands by boat or plane, often combined with a trip to Peru to see Machu Picchu or to experience the wildlife in the Amazon.
If your idea of a good holiday doesn’t involve so many boats – then you should consider seeing penguins in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa. From October to March, large colonies of penguins can be seen in Patagonia, which is a region shared by Argentina and Chile.
New Zealand is home to 3 species of penguin, including the world’s smallest – the korora or little blue penguin. All located on South Island – probably the location in the world where you can have the most adventures, from bungee jumping to heli-ski-ing. Queenstown alone gets 2 million visitors a year seeking thrills (resident population 300,000!)
In Australia, penguins can be found on Phillip Island. www.visitmelbourn
e.com says “The daily parade of little penguins draws thousands of visitors from around the globe every year. Line the observation boardwalks at Phillip Island Nature Park at dusk to see them race up Summerland Beach to their burrows. Bring warm clothing year-round, as the nights on the beach can be cool.” Not far from the cosmopolitan and lively city of Melbourne, this is an ideal side trip if you’re visiting here.
Finally South Africa, again like Australia, locations are close to a big city. Here it’s Cape Town, a very popular city with UK travellers (I’ve done lots of long weekend city breaks to here!) Boulders Beach is the place to go and it’s protected under the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, so safe and clean
For holidays to any of these locations, just call Olein on 01252 519669 or email olein@diamondtravel.ltd.uk
Diamond Travel, agency ref S0466. We act as The Global Travel Group Ltd in connection with the sale of travel products. Unless specified as the operator, The Global Travel Group Ltd is the agent of ATOL Protected Tour Operators and other principals. Â (NB the photos are random pictures of penguins and don’t represent the species you’d find in the adjacent text!)