VALDEZ PENINSULA...
Spectacular concentration of wildlife
in Patagonia's Atlantic coast
Sea Lions at Valdez Peninsula - © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires
Valdez peninsula is located along the Atlantic coast in Chubut province, Patagonia, half way between Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego.
It goes into the sea forming two gulfs of quiet waters, with steep cliffs, jugged rocks and teeming with marine and land mammals.
It's one of the largest mating grounds in the world.
What you will see here is just amazing...
- The Magellanic Penguin colony at Punta Tombo. Some half a million adults that come ashore at the same places, to the same nests and the same mates as years before, to breed and hutch their eggs.
- The most important Sea Elephants continental breeding colony. They can reach up to 7 meters long and weight an average of 3 tons.
- Orcas (killer whales). Impressive to watch them as they swim by, looking for an opportunity to plunge to the beach to catch an unsuspected sea lion.
- The Southern Sea Lion
- Thousands of sea birds at Isla de los Pajaros: gulls, cormorants, albatross, petrels and herons among others.
- Guanacos, armadillos, Patagonian grey foxes and the Mara or Patagonian cavy are also a common sight while trekking or driving throughout the area<
- The Southern Right Whale or Ballena Franca, which come here from October to December to complete its breeding cycle.
Take a boat tour to watch this spectacle. It's just beautiful to witness this 15 meters long mammals performing their mating dances around 2 km. from the coast.
Some of them are pretty well known. Rayito, Cebra and Espuma are frequent visitors and Franca, of course, the most famous citizen of Puerto Piramides.
She was appointed to be the ambassador of her species, it has had eight registered calves and has come every year since 1971.
Provably the most filmed and photographed whale in the world.
Let's have some whale watching right at this moment...
Valdez peninsula is a feast to the eyes and a paradise for nature enthusiasts and sport lovers...
- diving
- swimming
- trekking
- biking
- bird watching
- whale watching
- and of course, as much photography as you can handle
Magellanic Penguins colony at Valdez Peninsula - © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires
Puerto Madryn is the gateway to the peninsula, it has a deep water port, cruise ship port and its own airport.
This is the best place to establish your base camp while exploring the area.
Please do not miss the city of Gaiman, not far from there, a Welsh colony famous for its tea houses and Welsh pastries. Every July 28th., they commemorate the Landing Day, when the first settlers arrived to Patagonia in 1865.
To learn more about Welsh settlements in Patagonia, please visit Glaniard.
So, when you come to Argentina's Patagonia, Valdez Peninsula is a must-do destination, and the perfect complement to the beauty you'll find by the Andes range.
A unique experience like no other...
How to Get There:
Trelew airport (65 km. away from Puerto Madryn) is where most visitors arrive. However, Puerto Madryn has its own airport.
Aerolineas Argentinas, Lade and Southern Winds will take you there.
You also have a long distance bus to/from Buenos Aires - Retiro Bus Station _ as well as to other important cities in Patagonia.
Where to Stay:
There are several campings, hostels and hotels available, here are only some of them..
- Estancia Rincon Chico
1783 Almirante Brown Boulevard - Playa Hotel
Julio A. Roca Esq 28 De Julio - Piren Hotel
Av. Roca No. 439 - Hotel Mora
Juan B. Justo 654
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