Punta Loma & Puerto Madryn Tour: Sea Lions in 3 Hours

Sea lions at rest, seabirds overhead, then the city that Welsh settlers built

A three-hour shore excursion from Puerto Madryn pier to Punta Loma natural reserve, where sea lions rest and play on the rocks while cormorants and seagulls circle overhead, followed by a city tour of Puerto Madryn with a bilingual guide, air-conditioned vehicle and coffee or tea. The reserve entrance fee (10 USD per person) is separate from the tour price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn city

• Leave pier to Punta Loma reserve
• Observe sea lions and local fauna
• Enjoy ocean views at viewpoint
• Have tea, coffee, and snack
• Take city tour of Puerto Madryn

The experience

The tour leaves the pier and heads south 20 km to Punta Loma, a sea lion roost where the animals haul out on the rocks to rest, feed and play in their natural habitat. You'll stand at a viewpoint and watch them without the noise or crowds of a larger operation. The reserve exists because this is where they actually live. Seabirds like cormorants and seagulls work the same waters, and on most days you'll spot both. The ocean views alone justify the 15-minute drive, but the animals are what make it worth the ticket.

After Punta Loma, the tour stops at one of two viewpoints (Playa Paraná or the Indian viewpoint), for a short break. Coffee, tea and a small snack are included here, and the vantage point gives you a panoramic sweep of the coast before you head into the city. Then comes the Puerto Madryn city tour, which traces the Welsh settlement that arrived in 1865 and shaped everything that followed. The guide walks you through the neighborhoods and explains how that history still lives in the architecture and the culture of the place.

A qualified bilingual guide leads the whole thing in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you're not navigating on your own or squinting at a map. The whole excursion runs three hours, which is why it works for cruisers who can't disappear for a full day. Baby seats are available if you request them in advance, and strollers can be stored in the trunk.

What’s included

• English or Spanish-language guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and return to the pier.
• coffee, tea and a light snack at the viewpoint stop.
• baby seats available on request (book in advance).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 11:00

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

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Punta Tombo Turismo

Is this one for you?Book this tour if your ship's schedule only allows a few hours ashore and you want to see wildlife without committing to a full-day excursion. The three-hour window fits the Punta Loma reserve visit and a quick city orientation into one port call, leaving time to return to the ship without rushing.

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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 (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.

How close do you actually get to the sea lions at Punta Loma?

Punta Loma is a designated natural reserve where sea lions haul out to rest and play on the rocks. You watch from a viewpoint rather than walking among them, which keeps the animals undisturbed and gives you a clear sightline to see them feeding, resting and interacting with each other.

What birds might I see during the tour?

Cormorants and seagulls are the species most commonly spotted at Punta Loma, diving and circling the rocks where the sea lions gather. The exact birds on any given day depend on the season and the tide, but the reserve is active year-round.

Does the tour price include the reserve entrance fee?

The tour price covers the guide, vehicle and refreshments. The Punta Loma reserve entrance fee is 10 USD per person and is paid separately at the gate.

How much time do you spend actually at Punta Loma?

The drive from the pier takes 15 minutes each way. You spend the middle portion of the tour at the reserve itself, then stop at a viewpoint for refreshments before the city tour begins. The whole excursion is three hours from start to finish.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. Coffee, tea and a small snack are served at the viewpoint stop, but a full meal is not part of the itinerary.