Peninsula Valdés whale watching tour from Puerto Madryn: 11 hours

Eleven hours across two gulfs, watching whales from a boat and guanacos from the steppe.

An 11-hour tour of Valdés Peninsula departing from Puerto Madryn, combining a one-and-a-half-hour whale-watching boat trip from Puerto Pirámides with overland drives through the reserve to spot penguins, sea lions, elephant seals and terrestrial wildlife. A bilingual guide leads the full day. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport are included. Whale season runs June through December. Penguin colonies are visible September through April.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Valdés Peninsula and Whale Watching

• Pick up at accommodation in Puerto Madryn
• Short city tour of Puerto Madryn
• Begin reserve tour with guide
• Observe local wildlife in Valdés Peninsula
• Visit Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Visitor Center
• Travel to Puerto Pirámides and brief city tour
• Whale watching sailing (June to December)
• Visit Caleta Valdés and penguin colony (Sept to April)
• Stop at Punta Cantor to see sea lions and elephant seals
• Safari overland spotting guanacos, choiques, and maras
• Return to Puerto Madryn accommodation

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your Puerto Madryn accommodation and a brief city tour before heading to the peninsula. Once inside the reserve, your guide interprets the landscape as you move inland toward the Ameghino Isthmus, where you can see both the New and San José Gulfs at once. The first formal stop is the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Visitor Center, a small museum of local flora and fauna that frames what you'll see for the rest of the day.

The centerpiece is the one-and-a-half-hour sailing from Puerto Pirámides to watch Southern Right Whales at close range. This runs June through December. After returning to shore, the tour continues overland to Caleta Valdés, a cove where Magellanic penguin colonies gather September through April. The same waters sometimes hold orcas patrolling in packs. From there, you drive to Punta Cantor, where trails and viewpoints let you watch elephant seal and sea lion colonies without leaving the vehicle or walking far. The final stretch crosses the Patagonian steppe on ripio roads, where guanacos, choiques and maras move between the bushes: the guide watches the horizon and points them out as they cross.

Transport is air-conditioned and modern throughout the 11 hours. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian depending on the group, and the driver is also trained in the area. You return to your accommodation in Puerto Madryn by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup in Puerto Madryn.
• one-and-a-half-hour whale-watching boat trip from Puerto Pirámides (June–December).
• entry to Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Visitor Center.
• overland safari through the reserve with stops at Caleta Valdés and Punta Cantor.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Last departure this season: 15 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 33

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Dos Océanos Viajes

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian, so choose the language your group shares comfortably: the commentary on wildlife and landscape carries the whole day, and a guide you can follow easily makes the difference between spotting animals and missing them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): 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.

When can I see whales on the Valdés Peninsula tour?

The whale-watching boat trip from Puerto Pirámides runs June through December, when Southern Right Whales are present in the gulfs. Outside those months, the tour still covers the peninsula overland but does not include the sailing.

What penguins will I see at Caleta Valdés?

Magellanic penguins gather at Caleta Valdés from September through April. If you travel outside those months, you'll visit the cove for its ocean views and sea lion colonies, but the penguin colonies won't be there.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Most of the day is spent in the vehicle or on short walks at viewpoints. Punta Cantor has trails and overlooks where you can step out to watch elephant seal and sea lion colonies, but the tour is designed for all fitness levels and you're never far from the transport.

Is lunch included in the 11-hour tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour runs the full day, so plan to bring snacks or eat before departure. Your guide can advise on timing if you want to stop in Puerto Pirámides during the whale-watching portion.