Patagonia

Puerto Madryn and Valdés Peninsula: 7 unmissable tips for getting to know the best marine fauna

In the province of Chubut you will find paradise to get close to whales, walk among penguins and swim with sea lions

Are you looking for a trip with a full connection with nature? There is a destination in Argentina that can give you a complete experience: Puerto Madryn and Valdés Peninsula. You will experience whale watching, sailing with dolphins, snorkeling with sea lions and walking among penguins. In just 4 days you can enjoy these activities and much more.

It all starts with renting a car in Puerto Madryn or Trelew. From there, you can explore the surroundings of the beautiful coastal city and head towards the Valdés Peninsula and the vastness of the Patagonian steppe. At your own pace, in your own way and without depending on anything other than your desire to experience unique moments.

So that you can explore the best of the Patagonian Sea by car, at Rentennials we offer you these tips with all the information you need to know to enjoy it at all times.

 1. Fly to Puerto Madryn

If you are planning a short trip to Puerto Madryn, then it is best to take a plane to the city of Puerto Madryn or Trelew. Depending on the season, you may have to stop in Buenos Aires if you are leaving from a city in another province.

Trelew and Puerto Madryn are only 65 km apart, so the two cities are good alternatives to start your trip. We leave you with a recommendation: try to arrive as early as possible, so you can enjoy an extra day of travel or, failing that, the night before.

2. Rent a car in Puerto Madryn or Trelew

For travelers looking for peace, to manage their time and do the activities they really want, there’s nothing like renting a car in Puerto Madryn or Trelew and starting your trip. The distances are very short between each place and the roads are in good condition. In addition, driving through the landscapes of the Patagonian steppe has a special magic.

In Peninsula Valdés, the roads are gravel, but going slowly and taking your time you won’t have any problems.

3. Touring Peninsula Valdés by car

A World Heritage Site, Peninsula Valdés is one of the best places in Argentina to contemplate the incredible marine fauna. From August to November you have the southern right whales, a Natural Monument of Argentina. The rest of the year, you will enjoy the penguins, orcas, porpoises, sea lions and elephant seals.

To get to know the Valdés Peninsula in depth, the best way is to travel around it by car. You will stop wherever you want and observe the marine animals for as long as you have time.

 Ameghino Isthmus

Upon entering the Valdés Peninsula, and after paying the entrance ticket, you will find the Ameghino Isthmus. There is an interpretive center where you can get to know the fauna you will encounter on the tour in depth.

In addition, from here there is a small path to the viewpoint of the Isla de los Pájaros, a formation that rises from the sea and in which Saint-Exupéry was inspired for the boa and the elephant. Right there is the Historic Chapel of the San José Fort, a replica of a construction from the late 18th century.

Puerto Pirámides

This small town is an excellent option for lodging and, from here, to tour the peninsula. In addition, boats leave for whale watching. It has an interesting offer of hotels, cabins and hostels and innovative gastronomic proposals.

Here, you will find the tranquility of an old fishing village. Walking through its streets with the traditional buildings of the Patagonian coast takes you back to the past.

Also, from Puerto Pirámides you can take different bike rides and guided trails to learn more about the Patagonian steppe.

Whale Watching

From Puerto Pirámides, whale watching excursions are carried out. There are different options, from the tour with a traditional boat to the submarine boat, which has a lower part to see the whales from “inside the sea”.

Here we leave you the companies authorized to carry out the nautical trips.

Caleta Valdés

Along the internal roads of the Peninsula, you will reach Caleta Valdés. Here you will find the elephant seals and a colony of Magellanic penguins. During breeding season, you can also see orcas.

It is 75 km from Pirámides, on a gravel road. In the area there is a restaurant and a place to have lunch. In addition, you can stay overnight at La Elvira Natural Lodge, a ranch with accommodation and Patagonian cuisine.

Punta Norte and Estancia San Lorenzo

Punta Norte is another highlight of the Peninsula. You will visit the You can also meet sea lions and elephant seals. During the breeding season, you can also see orcas (between February and May).

Estancia San Lorenzo is home to one of the largest colonies of Magellanic penguins in the world. To enter, you have to pay an entrance fee and the entire visit must be done with a guide. In addition, there is a food and lodging service.

To get there, you have to drive about 80 km on gravel from Puerto Pirámides.

How to travel around the Valdés Peninsula

All the internal roads on the peninsula are gravel, so you have to go slowly and choose the points you want to visit. Generally, it is best to go to Caleta Valdés one day and Punta Norte the next. Connecting the two points in one day is possible, but keep in mind that driving many kilometers on gravel can be tiring. Also, you have to go slowly because of the local fauna.

Because of this, a good option is to spend a few nights in Puerto Pirámides. It is a different experience and has many accommodations of various styles and prices.

We leave you a map of a suggested route through the Valdés Peninsula

 4. What to do in Puerto Madryn by car (and in the surroundings)

Puerto Madryn is a beautiful city facing the sea and known as the National Capital of Diving. Its crystal-clear waters allow you to enjoy this activity. In summer, its beaches are famous for the calm sea and, throughout the year, it has much to enjoy.

The best thing is to dedicate two or three days to the city to go to the nearby places that will not cease to surprise you: a beach where whales come close to just a few meters, a tour of the steppe to reach Punta Tombo and walk among the penguins. And finish with a Welsh tea in Gaiman.

El Doradillo

Between August and November, in the El Doradillo Protected Natural Area, you will be able to see whales from the beach. During high tide, these fantastic animals come so close to the coast that they can be observed without binoculars.

To get there, you only have to drive about 13 km north. From Puerto Madryn, you can also book whale watching excursions.

 Get to know Puerto Madryn’s history

In addition to nature, the city has a rich history. In the Punta Cueva Historical Park there is the Museo del Desembarco. This site tells how the Welsh came to inhabit these lands and their encounter with the native communities. From Monday to Friday it opens from 5 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am until the end of the day (closed from 1 pm to 5 pm).

If you want to learn more about the history of the area, visit the Juan Meisen Ebene Museum, which is located in what used to be the railway station.

Diving and snorkelling with sea lions

In Puerto Madryn there are several areas where you can dive and enjoy a dive in the Argentine sea. Another option, for which you do not need previous experience, is to swim with the sea lions while snorkelling. The sea lions get so close to you that you will not be able to believe what you are experiencing.

For both experiences, contact the authorised providers in advance.

Punta Loma Sea Lion Reserve

16 km south of Puerto Madryn, this reserve preserves and protects sea lions. There is a viewing point to observe the fauna and a trail to learn about the flora of the Patagonian coast.

There is an entrance fee and it is recommended to go at the last hour before it closes.

 Gaiman and Welsh tea

On the coast of the Chubut River and 80 km from Puerto Madryn, is the town of Gaiman, a Welsh colony and one of the most beautiful towns in the world. It is known for its tea houses, but don’t miss walking through its streets, seeing the chapels and Welsh buildings. In addition, you can visit the Gaimán railway tunnel. Today it is an interesting visit to learn about the history of the region.

In the afternoon, many decide to have tea in one of its traditional Welsh houses. Go after a light lunch because the service is very plentiful. Some options to spend the afternoon are:

Plas y Coed

Casa de Té Gaiman

Nain Glenys

Ty Gwyn

Ty Cymraeg Gaiman

A recommendation: choose one that does not receive contingents of tourists so you can enjoy yourself in peace. You can call beforehand and ask.

If you like to sleep in a place with complete peace, in Gaiman there are accommodations that are usually cheaper than those in Puerto Madryn.

Trelew and Rawson

The provincial capital and its neighbor Trelew have attractions that are worth visiting for a day. In Trelew you will find the Egidio Feruglio Museum, a favorite of the little ones. In this Patagonian region many remains of dinosaurs and fossils of different types have been found, and this museum condenses many of these findings. You can buy the entrance ticket in advance.

Rawson, just a few kilometers from Trelew, has the traditional Playa Unión as one of its places worth visiting in summer. In addition, from the port of Rawson Boats leave for the sighting of toninas, the dolphins of the Argentine sea.

Both cities are located about 70 km south of Puerto Madryn on National Route 3.

5. Walk among penguins in Punta Tombo

Between the months of September to April you can walk among the Magellanic penguins and be very close to them. The Punta Tombo Provincial Wildlife Reserve is in charge of protecting the largest penguin colony in the world. You can see their nests, how the little ones change their plumage (in November) and the behavior of these animals.

There is a 3 km trail of very low difficulty that is combined with viewpoints to contemplate the Patagonian sea.

How to get to Punta Tombo from Puerto Madryn

From Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo is 188 km. Take National Route 3 until the intersection with Provincial Route 75. From there, continue to the entrance of the reserve, where the road becomes gravel (Provincial Route 1). You can check the map here.

It is best to leave early in the morning and arrive at Punta Tombo around mid-morning or midday. On the way back, you can combine it with a cup of tea in Gaiman.

6. Check the marine fauna calendar

To travel to Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdés, it is essential that you check the marine fauna calendar to organize your itinerary.

June to December: the southern right whales.

Mid-September to mid-April: the Magellanic penguins.

March and May: the orcas

July: the elephant seals begin to arrive.

All year round: sea lions and porpoises

And you will always be able to see guanacos, choiques, foxes and other animals of the Patagonian steppe

7. Choose the best time to travel to Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula are beautiful places all year round. If you are looking for more heat and a bit of beach, November is the best month. However, you will miss out on getting close to the whales.

To see the whales, the best months are September or October, when almost all the marine fauna appears. Keep in mind that these months are the high season, so prices are more expensive.

Tour Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula with Rentennials

Discovering the marine fauna of the Patagonian sea is an unforgettable experience. And even more so if you do it at your own time, at your own pace and with the calm that a trip deserves.

To get to know the best of Puerto Madryn, renting a car with Rentennials is an option that makes everything easy for you. From the moment you quote your car to the return. Simple, easy and affordable. Plus, it allows you to connect with hosts and explore places you wouldn’t otherwise.