A place in the world favoured by its nature and listed by UNESCO as World Heritage in 1999. Hire any of the authorized agencies to enjoy your excursions to the fullest.
Península Valdés Natural Protected Area
Leaving Puerto Madryn to the north along Provincial Highway Number 1, and after having travelled about 17 km, you’ll reach Provincial Highway Number 2 and its access to Península Valdés, the most important natural protected area due to its fauna, size and for its worldwide known Southern Right Whales watching. In 1999, it was listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, the greatest award a place with these features may achieve. 45 km from Puerto Madryn and driving along PRN2, you’ll reach El Desempeño checkpoint, where you’ll be required to pay an entrance fee to visit the protected area.
Going on this way, you’ll enter Carlos Ameghino Isthmus, a land arm that joins Península Valdés and the continent. From its narrowest part, it is possible to make out Nuevo Gulf (on the right) and San José Gulf (on the left). The Interpretation Centre will be a must-see stop to get information about natural and cultural attractions in the area.
Just 5 km away and driving along a gravel road, you’ll reach Isla de los Pájaros (Birds Island). This is an important place where several birds specimens mate. It is possible to watch them from the show if you use viewers or binoculars. You may also visit replica of Fuerte San José chapel, Spanish settlement built in 1779.
Driving along a concrete highway and after you travel about 25 km, you’ll access Puerto Pirámides: the only town and services centre in Península Valdés and starting point the nautical Whales’ watching excursions (see fees, depending on the type of boat) and other birds and sea mammals specimens. You’ll be on board of a safe boat.
Between December and April, you may visit Punta Pirámides, where there’s an important reproductive colony of sea lions. You may reach it by land. Along the road from Puerto Pirámides to Punta Delgada, you’ll see Big and Small Salt Lakes: large depressions lower than 42mts under the level of the sea.
Punta Delgada
Bilingual guides will take you to this south elephant seals colony and enjoy a magnificent landscape of the South Atlantic Ocean. This place offers recreational activities, lodging and gastronomy services.
Caleta Valdés
Unique shore landscape colony dwelt by southern elephant seals. To the north of Punta Cantor, there’s a small colony of Magellanic Penguins. The area provides gastronomy services, restrooms and rangers.
Punta Norte
Great reproductive colony of sea lions in summer and elephant seals in spring. Between October and April it is possible to watch orcas when tide is calm and high (check tides time in the Istmo Carlos Ameghino Centre). The area provides an interpretation centre, bar, public restrooms and rangers.