Puerto Madryn
Founded in 1865 by a group of Welsh immigrants, Puerto Madryn serves as a gateway to the abundant marine life of Argentina’s Patagonian coast.
The area’s star attraction is whale watching: orcas beach themselves to hunt for sea lion pups, and southern right whales venture remarkably close to shore. Nearby Peninsula Valdés presents a wildlife paradise unto itself. There, you may spot elephant seals, sea lions, Magellanic penguins, and a myriad of bird species inhabiting this coastal reserve. While wildlife steals the spotlight, the natural beauty of this region is impossible to ignore. Dramatic cliffs lead into clear ocean waters, and vast plains seem to extend into the horizon.
It’s best to plan your visit to Puerto Madryn around the wildlife. While different species are present at any given time of the year, September through March offers the most abundant sightings.