Chubut · Patagonia · Argentina
Experiences and local guides in Puerto Madryn
Gateway to Península Valdés: southern right whales from the shore and by boat, snorkelling with sea lions, orcas at Punta Norte and penguins at Punta Tombo.
Nature
Puerto Madryn stretches along the Golfo Nuevo, between the sea and the Patagonian steppe, and is the base for exploring Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Every winter and spring southern right whales come into the gulfs to mate and give birth, sometimes just a few metres from the shore. The peninsula also has sea lion and elephant seal colonies and orcas that hunt right at the beach at Punta Norte, while further south lies Punta Tombo, the most important mainland colony of Magellanic penguins in the world.
Activities
- Boat-based whale watching from Puerto Pirámides, the only authorised departure point on the peninsula, June to December (trips of about an hour and a half)
- Whale watching from the shore at El Doradillo, north of town, best at high tide
- Snorkelling or a first dive with sea lions at the Punta Loma reserve, by boat from town and in a wetsuit, suitable for beginners
- Full-day trip to Punta Tombo, about 175 km south, walking among penguins on a trail of roughly 3 km, September to April
- Peninsula circuit: elephant seals at Caleta Valdés and Punta Delgada, and orcas at Punta Norte at high tide, mainly February to May
- Sea kayaking in Puerto Pirámides and boat trips looking for dolphins from Puerto Madryn in summer
When to go
June to December for the whales; from September to December whales, penguins and elephant seals overlap, the best time to combine everything. Orcas are most likely between February and May at Punta Norte. Summer is ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and dolphins. Wind is common all year, so bring warm layers even in summer.
How to get there
El Tehuelche airport (PMY) is about 7 km from the centre and has flights from Buenos Aires; Trelew airport (REL) is about 65 km away, roughly an hour by road, with regular buses and transfers. By bus, the direct trip from Buenos Aires takes about 19 hours. From Madryn, Puerto Pirámides is about 95 km away on Provincial Route 2 and Punta Tombo about 175 km south, more than two hours by road.
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Local operators identified in Puerto Madryn (9)
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