Argentina Puerto Madryn

What to do in Puerto Madryn

Ente de Turismo Puerto Madryn

Julieta Fraguío 26/09/2017

Puerto Madryn is one of the main destinations chosen in Patagonia for its great variety of landscapes and especially for the shows offered by its fauna and flora. When we think about what to do in Puerto Madryn, the first thing that comes to mind is to visit the Valdés Peninsula, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and is a pride for Argentines. But this is not all, there are many places and walks to do. I leave you the ones that cannot be missing in your itinerary:

Península Valdés

Few places like this in the world offer the possibility of observing so many animals in their natural environment. Valdés Peninsula, is located on the Atlantic Sea 77 kilometers from Puerto Madryn. To get there you can do it by renting a car and driving through Provincial Route 2, from Route 3 or from Puerto Madryn, the path is direct and is perfectly signposted.

Another simpler way is to do it through an excursion to Peninsula Valdes. They pick you up from the hotel and the walk begins, which will last approximately 11 hours. You will be able to see a large number of species of marine fauna, including the southern right whales and dolphins. You will spend a large part of the day in nature and always accompanied by bilingual guides and naturalists.

The main points covered are the Istmo Carlos Ameghino Interpretation Center, where you will have a quick reference on the fauna, flora and geology of the Peninsula. From there you can also see the Golfo Nuevo, San José and the Isla de los Pájaros. Then the tour continues to the town of Puerto Pirámides, where depending on the season of the year you will be able to go whale watching or the nautical promenade with snorkeling. Depending on the climate and the tides you will also be able to visit: Caleta Valdés, Punta Cantor and Punta Norte to observe, penguins, elephants and sea lions.

In Punta Norte you can do the land watching of Orcas, it is always recommended to do it in the months of March and April, when there is a greater presence. They can also be seen in September but the amount is less.

Whale watching

Every year between the months of June and December, the southern right whales come to Puerto Pirámides to breed. It is an unmissable show that you can not stop seeing! Whale watching is a ride that can be combined with other excursions in Península Valdés, since boats usually leave every two hours. In the sightings you will learn everything about these gigantic sea creatures: reproduction, their behavior, pregnancy, feeding and even raising the calf. During the excursion, the boat stops the engines and the silence begins to reign, only the sounds of the sea are heard and in a few minutes the whales appear next to the boat and the sensation of seeing these immense marine species is something indescribable, it's something you have to experience. The browsing time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. The sighting is completely safe for two reasons: these mammals are extremely peaceful, and the boats have adequate security means, you just have to enjoy it and take many photos!

Pinguinera Punta Tombo

The Punta Tombo Penguin Colony is the largest penguin reserve in Latin America and is home to the other stars of Puerto Madryn, the Magellanic penguins. One of the few birds that don't fly. Its wings were transformed into swimming fins. To enjoy the sighting of all the fauna of this area, I recommend you do it with the Punta Tombo Penguin Colony excursion because not only will you be able to know everything about this species but also the gulls, cormorants, skuas, and even guanacos, choiques, maras and foxes.

Upon returning from the excursion to Puerto Madryn, a mandatory stop is made by the famous tea house, Gaiman. This place is famous because it is located where it was the first Welsh colony in Argentina. Several years ago, for this reason, Lady Di was visiting. The pastry is something delicious and not to mention the varieties of teas. I recommend you let yourself be carried away by the girls and try all the recommended ones from the house.

Snorkeling with Sea Lions

Only the title of this activity makes you imagine it as impossible, but in Puerto Madryn it is not only possible but also essential, because this is where the most transparent waters in Argentina are. The snorkeling excursion with sea lions is an experience that only takes place in three places around the world, and in this case it is only a 15-minute drive from the city, plus 5 navigation to the Punta Loma Protected Natural Area.

Those who do the snorkeling receive basic instruction on the boat. Meanwhile, the sea lions swim around waiting for the first person to launch to quench all their curiosity. You will be with them sharing the same natural environment for 50 minutes. The diving suit is lightweight, they give you a snorkel and a lunette, which makes interaction easier with these amazing members of the Patagonian marine fauna. In addition, you have safety equipment, a neoprene suit, a warm jacket for the round trip transfer on the boat, a snack service on board: water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, alfajores and dumplings! Keep in mind that the season for snorkeling with sea lions is from August to April.

Commerson´s dolphin sighting

This is another of the unmissable walks in Puerto Madryn, for more than an hour you will see closely the dolphin sheep, the smallest dolphins in the world. These playful animals welcome the public with joy throughout the year. The dolphin watching tour is one of the most popular and chosen by visitors. The tour begins at Playa Unión (Rawson's port) and lasts 1 hour. When you return from the tour and disembark, take advantage of the best seafood in the area to eat at the port. The most recommended are the rabas!

Underwater Whale and Sea Lion Watching

Have you ever imagined getting into a small submarine and seeing the whales swimming around you? This is possible in Puerto Madryn and is very entertaining. In addition to seeing these animals under the sea from the cabin, you will also be able to see them jump and moorish from the outside of the submarine. The whale watching excursion lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is only done in the season from June to December.

Visit the Ecocentro

Right in front of the sea, on the coast of the city of Puerto Madryn in Julio Verne 3784, is the Ecocentro. A place that every year 50,000 people interested in understanding the sea visit. It is ideal to go with the whole family before any direct experience with the sea, this center offers permanent, temporary exhibitions and very varied samples throughout the year. It can be reached by car or taxi on National Route 3, it is five minutes from the city center.

Get to know the Museo Oceonográfico

If the ecocenter serves to understand the sea in its broadest structure, the Puerto Madryn Oceonográfico Museum reviews all life in and out of the water. It is located on a privileged hill overlooking the sea at street José Menéndez at 200 and features an architecture that is already an attraction in itself. The Oceanografico Museum has areas dedicated to marine mammals, invertebrates, fish, geology and paleontology, birds, pinnipeds, Welsh colonization, botany, and Oceanography. If you want to better understand Puerto Madryn I recommend you stop by. Open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.

Punta Loma

To continue knowing all the varieties of species that are in Puerto Madryn, you have to go through Punta Loma. You will be able to see the sea lions from the cliffs. The two-hour excursion is a good option to visit it and discover the shopping center, the old town, the mining and cruise ship docks, and the panoramic viewpoint of Punta Cuevas, where the monument to the Tehuelche Indian, former inhabitant of the zone. You are also very close to visit the Punta Loma seal, where one-hair sea lion colonies are found.

Colonos Galeses Monument

If you want to know a little more about the spirit and history of Puerto Madryn, you can come to know this monument that was created by the Argentine sculptor, Luis Perlotti, in search of transmitting the identity of the city. To create it, he asked the people of the town to bring him photos of his relatives and the first Welshmen who founded Puerto Madryn to be able to get inspiration and use them as models for the characters that he would later include in his work. You can find it at Avenida Julio Argentino Roca and Manuel Belgrano.

Enjoy the Beaches in Summer

If you are in Puerto Madryn during the summer season, from December to February. Be sure to go to its beaches! The water temperature is quite warm and super transparent. Another advantage is that the beaches are so big that people can move freely and enjoy different activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddle surfing and kitesurfing. Be sure to go to: El Doradillo, Puerto Pirámides and Cerro Avanzado.