Port Madryn - Penguins and Whales

Photo Madryn

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Photo Caleta Valdes

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Photo Tombo

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Punta Tombo

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To visit Punta Tombo you leave the City of Puerto Madryn heading south. This is the greatest continental reserve of Magallanic penguins

The penguins arrive annually at this area to nest, breed, have their young and to molt before undertaking their return trip towards the northeastern coast of South America returning the following year.

The shore of peninsula is mostly rocky. It is 3,5 km in length and 600 meters wide. The beach area of Punta Tombo declines smoothly and gives the penguins an easy place to come ashore.
The entire landscape of the area is perfectly suited for the penguins to build their nests and raise their young. Walking on the defined footpaths, you may be surprised to observe the penguins next to. Depending on the season it is possible to observe male penguins excavating their caves, fighting for the territory, moving to or from the sea, looking for their nests or searching for their young. We will hear the continuous vocalizations which dominate the air. The adult penguins are warning other penguins to stay away or to attract their mates.

The penguins coexist with other marine birds that have chosen this site to nest like the kelp gull or southern gull, skuas, two species of cormorants - Royal and Rock, steamer ducks, Antarctic doves, and several giant species of sea birds including petrels. As you drive in the area you may see guanacos, armadillos, maras (Patagonian hare), lesser rhea and foxes.

Next we retrace our route and return to the city of Puerto Madryn

Peninsula Valdes

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The visit to Peninsula Valdés leaves from Puerto Madryn with north direction. Appoximately 40 km then, will arrive the Control Post, where the entrance fee is paid. From there is possible to begin to discover the enchantments of the Peninsula, its landscape, its flora and fauna.
At this point you will be on the CARLOS AMEGHINO ISTHMUS which is narrow land strip that connects the Peninsula with t he continent.
The first stop is at the “CARLOS AMEGHINO INTERPRETATION CENTER”, which offers information on the ecosystem of the Peninsula. The interpretation center has a tower, where it is possible to see to the South, the waters of the GulfoNuevo and looking North the waters of the Gulf San Jose. We can also see the Isla de los Pájaros (Island of the Birds). It lies 5 km North on the Gulf San Jose. The island is an important nesting site for marine birds. This entire island is a protected area and visitors are not permitted. The next stop is PUERTO PIRAMIDES, the only village on the Peninsula and the only place for starting the marine fauna boat trips. The beaches are surrounded by cliffs that resemble pyramids, hence its name.
The boat trips last approximately one and two hours. From June to December is possible to watch SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES
These whales are curious and slow moving animals. For these reasons you are able to get very close to them. From time to time they swim under the boat and we you able to observe their actions and hear their breathing.
The excursion leave Puerto Piramides continuing at to CALETA VALDÉS, an exceptional geologic formation consisting of a thin strip of land which runs parallel to the coast locking up a portion of sea. Connected through a small mouth to the surrounding sea its calm waters and naturally isolated beaches of the calleta and steep cliffs make an excellent place for the elephant seal.
From a scenic viewpoint we can contemplate the place and descend the cliff by stairs to observe the elephant seals on the beach. The calleta also has a Magellan Penguin colony of several hundred individuals.
After this you will return to the city of Puerto Madryn.