Peninsula Valdes full-day tour from Puerto Madryn: Elephant seals

Elephant seals on the pebble beach at Caleta Valdes, 90 minutes into the steppe.

A full-day guided tour of Peninsula Valdes from Puerto Madryn takes you across the steppe to three stops: the Ameghino Visitors Center overlook, the village of Puerto Pirámides on the coast, and Caleta Valdes, where a large colony of elephant seals rests on the beach. The guide speaks English or Spanish and picks you up from your hotel. Whale watching is available as an optional add-on from June through December. Entry to the reserve requires documents.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Peninsula Valdes highlights

• Visit Ameghino Visitors Center viewpoint
• Tour Puerto Pirámides village and beach
• Drive to Caleta Valdes to see elephant seals
• Optionally visit Punta Norte for wildlife
• Return to Puerto Madryn around 6 pm

The experience

You start at the Ameghino Visitors Center, where a viewpoint lets you see both the New Gulf and San José Gulf at once, along with Birds Island. From there the tour heads to Puerto Pirámides, the only village on the peninsula and the only authorized departure point for whale-watching boats. The small port sits between white cliffs and clear water: a place to rest and swim if you want to break up the drive.

The main event is Caleta Valdes, reached by crossing 80 kilometers of gravel road through the steppe. Along the way you watch for endemic wildlife: guanacos, choiques and maras move across the landscape. At Caleta Valdes itself, a large colony of elephant seals hauls out on the pebble beach to rest and conserve energy. The reserve has a restaurant and public toilets. Depending on the season and weather, the guide may take you north to Punta Norte instead, where different fauna congregate. The full day ends around 6 p.m. back in Puerto Madryn.

Whale watching runs from June through December and is optional. You arrange it at checkout. The tour includes a live guide in English or Spanish and hotel pickup from Puerto Madryn. Bring your documents for entry to the reserve.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Puerto Madryn.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to Peninsula Valdes Reserve (documents required).
• stops at Ameghino Visitors Center, Puerto Pirámides and Caleta Valdes or Punta Norte depending on season and conditions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Sussanich Turismo

Is this one for you?The tour runs 8 to 10 hours with long stretches of gravel road and standing time at viewpoints, so it suits travelers comfortable with a full day in a vehicle and ready for an early pickup. Whale watching is optional and seasonal, so you choose whether to add that water time when you book.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I see on the drive across the steppe to Caleta Valdes?

Guanacos, choiques and maras live on the steppe and move across it during the drive. The main stop at Caleta Valdes is the elephant seal colony resting on the pebble beach.

Is whale watching included in this tour, or do I add it separately?

Whale watching is optional and runs from June through December only. You choose whether to add it when you book. It departs from Puerto Pirámides, the only authorized departure point on the peninsula.

What do I need to bring to enter Peninsula Valdes?

Documents are required for entry to the reserve. Bring your passport or national ID card.

How much driving is involved to reach Caleta Valdes?

The route to Caleta Valdes covers 80 kilometers on gravel road across the steppe, taking about 90 minutes. The full tour runs 8 to 10 hours from pickup to return.

Can I swim or rest at any of the stops?

Puerto Pirámides, the village on the coast, is a place to swim and rest if you want to break up the day. Caleta Valdes has a restaurant and public toilets but is primarily for viewing the elephant seals.