Locations Peninsula Valdes

Peninsula Valdes, on the east coast of Argentina in northern Patagonia, is a haven for wildlife.  Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, the Peninsula was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.   Teeming with sea birds and wildlife, it is really famous for the Golfo Nuevo bay where every year hundreds of Southern Right Whales head for the shallower warmer waters to mate and give birth to their young.  Between May and mid December the whales populate this bay and attract many nature lovers who come here to see them playing and breeching in the clear waters.  At this time we can arrange for you to take a boat trip out into the gulf and watch these amazing creatures swimming close by.  They are extremely sociable and almost come in touching distance of you in the boat... a really magical experience.

The waters around Peninsula Valdes are also home to killer whales and, during certain months, you may be lucky to see them patrolling the shores in search of food in the form of young sea lions and elephant seals which have been born on the shores of the Peninsula.  If you have a pair of binoculars, take these along!

The Peninsula itself is dry and flat, other than the dramatic cliffs which lead down to the sea, and there are plenty of animals that live within the scrubland. These include guanaco (similar to a llama), ostrich and armadillos, amongst many others.  The best way to spot these animals is to drive slowly around the Peninsula as you will often find them grazing near the road side or crossing in front of you.  For this we recommend hiring a car for the duration of your visit, which we will arrange for you to pick up from the town of Trelew where the nearest airport is located.

Another highlight of the area is the colony of Magellanic Penguins which head to the coastline in September. There is a small population which inhabit the Peninsula and you can get right up close to see them sleeping in their burrows or waddling along the beach. But if you have the desire to see more, you can also make a trip to Punta Tomba, a few hours drive south of the Peninsula, where hundreds of thousands of Magellanic Penguins gather each year on the beach.

Who should go?

Although nature lovers are ensured to have a fantastic time whilst visiting Peninsula Valdes, seeing the whales and penguins in particular are a joy to everyone. Those who go to Argentina during the winter months (June to September) can also enjoy the whale watching and it is a great place to see some of Patagonia at its wildest and most desolate, without heading to the far south of Argentina.

Transfers and guided tours of the Peninsula can be arranged but driving yourself is often more enjoyable as you can explore the area at your leisure. We will provide you with maps and places of interest.

Accommodation

The two closest towns to Peninsula Valdes are Puerto Madryn and Trelew, but they are still nearly a couple of hours drive away. We therefore suggest spending a night or two in the village of Puerto Piramides on the Peninsula, meaning that everything is on your doorstep. At All Points Argentina our top place is a wonderful hotel with a restaurant that serves up delicious seafood and friendly staff who know a lot about the area and the wildlife that live on the Peninsula.