Whale Watching in Valdes Peninsula

Experience the breathtaking view of magnificent southern right whales in the stunning waters surrounding the Valdes Peninsula, recognized as one of Argentina's most diverse ecosystems.

Whale Watching Overview

You will be collected from your hotel in Puerto Madryn and transported to the El Doradillo Protected Natural Area, located just a short 30-minute drive away. From this vantage point along the coast, you will have the exciting chance to observe whales as they glide through the waters, with sightings occurring as close as 25 meters!

Following this, we will head to the Istmo Carlos Ameghino Centre to discover more about the local wildlife and plant life. Our next stop is the town of Puerto Pirámides. Weather permitting, you can expect to view whales, cormorants, and sea lions in their natural surroundings! Here, you also have the option to embark on a 90-minute submersible boat tour to get an even closer look at the whales.

The boat journey concludes back at the Puerto Pirámides dock, after which you'll have some leisure time for lunch. Subsequently, we will return you to your hotel in Puerto Madryn.

Day Trip Choices

When you make your booking, you can select from three different day trip options, each available in specific seasons according to the whale reproductive cycle.

Coastal Experience

This package includes transportation for whale watching and a tour of the beaches at El Doradillo and Las Canteras.

Operating Season: June 1 to October 15

Classic Tour

This option offers a boat ride around Golfo Nuevo, allowing you to view the southern right whales up close within their natural habitat. Our search will extend up to 10 miles, ensuring the best possible views of these astounding creatures.

You will also be able to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery, and from spring onward, the region's diverse wildlife, including numerous sea lions and Patagonian birds.

Operating Season: June 15 to December 15

Yellow Submarine Experience

This unique option explores the Valdés Peninsula's coastline aboard a semi-submersible vessel, offering a chance to observe the scale and might of these whales from underwater.

The key distinction of the Yellow Submarine is the ability to view both above and below the water through 40 windows within the submerged cabin. You can choose to view the whales from the deck or from beneath the surface.

Operating Season: July 1 to October 31

Hotel Pickup Information

The pickup timing from the various hotels in Puerto Madryn is contingent upon the tide. After confirming your reservation, the local service provider will reach out to you with the exact pickup time from your lodging.

Essential Information

• The whale watching season in the Valdes Peninsula occurs from June through December. However, animal sightings can be unpredictable, and not all species may be visible during every season.
• Visitation order may change based on tidal conditions.
• From November 1 to December 15, instead of the El Doradillo visit, the itinerary will include the Isla de Pajaros Operations Centre.

Penguin Viewing Opportunity

If you wish to broaden your wildlife experience in Argentina, we also provide a penguin spotting excursion to Punta Tombo. From September to December, this area hosts the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America.