Peninsula Valdes

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Peninsula Valdes

Peninsula Valdes and Atlantic Patagonia

The Patagonian Atlantic coast hosts abundant marine and terrestrial biodiversity and numerous natural reserves have been set up to protect it.

Peninsula Valdés sticks out into the ocean forming two gulfs. A great variety of marine species seek these protected environments to carry out part of their reproductive cycle. Given the great concentration of species in the peninsula, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Elephant seals, sea lions, Magellan penguins, dolphins, orcas, southern right whales, guanacos (large llamas), choiques (local variety of ostriches), maras, armadillos, foxes, skunks and a wide variety of birds live in the sea, on the land and in the air of the Peninsula.

The fauna spreads out all along the Patagonian Atlantic coastline on its annual migratory cycle. Monte León National Park, Southern Patagonian National Park, Puerto Deseado town, Cabo Vírgenes cape and an endless number of solitary spots and rocky capes hide small paradises for the extravagant flora and fauna of the Atlantic Patagonia.

Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Comodoro Rivadavia and Río Gallegos airports provide access to these destinations.

HIGHLIGHTS

SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE

Every year, between June and December, these South Atlantic giants arrive at the protected bays of Península Valdés to give birth to their offspring.
These small whale calves weigh three tons at birth. During their first three months, they start to explore the marvelous marine world around them. At the end of the season, they will have doubled in weight and will be sufficiently strong to begin the great adventures that will lead them to the mysterious depths and freezing waters of the South Atlantic. Will they return?
Boat excursions for whale sightings leave from Puerto Pirámides, inside Península Valdés. The proximity of these giants and their tame and friendly behavior are truly moving. Seeing them jump and appear on the surface of the water is an unforgettable experience.

FAUNA CALENDAR

The fauna arrives to Península Valdés at different times of the year. Although the dates may vary due to weather conditions, the graph shows the normal period each species is there.
The Southern Right Whale approaches Península Valdés between June and December.
The Elephant seal also reproduces in winter and spring but lives on the peninsula’s Atlantic coast all year round.
Sea lions can be found at Punta Loma all year round and they approach the peninsula in summer in order to reproduce.
The Magellan penguin occupies its nests from September to April at large reproductive colonies in Punta Tombo and Estancia San Lorenzo. Small groups can also be seen at Caleta Valdés.
Schools of orcas patrol the Patagonian coast all year round. The possibilities of seeing this magnificent animal stalk elephant seals and sea lions increase from October to March.

PUNTA NORTE

The scenic viewpoints of Punta Norte overlook landscapes of wide extended beaches and an endless horizon. If you get lucky, you may also spot orcas.
Between December and March, the groups of elephant seals are invaded by the large sea lions. From then on, it will be the machos who will dominate the long beaches of Punta Norte, fighting over their neighbors’ territory while defending their own harems. It is truly a fascinating natural scenario.

PETRIFIED FORESTS

In the middle of the arid and windy Patagonian steppes, enormous tree trunks converted to stone are mute witnesses of an era when the area was covered by vast forests and inhabited by dinosaurs, in a warm and humid environment.
The most accessible petrified forests are La Pirámide, reachable from Bahía Bustamante, and Sarmiento, two and a half hours from Comodoro Rivadavia. The most important one though is Monumento Natural Bosque Petrificado, located between Puerto Deseado and Puerto San Julián.

LOCATION

Península Valdés is in the northeastern part of Chubut Province, 1,360 km from Buenos Aires. The Patagonian Atlantic coast extends from the peninsula to the southernmost point of the continental territory, Cabo Vírgenes.

WHEN TO GO

There is fauna in Península Valdés all year round (see Fauna Dairy). Whale sightings occur from June to December. Between October and November, Southern Right whales, sea lions, elephant seals and Magellan penguins can all be spotted. Accommodations and services are available all along the Atlantic Coast from October to April.

WEATHER

Daytime temperatures in Península Valdés easily reach 30°C in summer and drop considerably at night. The winter average is around 8°C with great temperature variations as well. Temperatures drop significantly the further south one goes. Rain is scarce and falls mainly between May and July. The whole region is lashed by strong winds.

DON’T FORGET

Layered warm clothing, light clothes, trekking footwear, sunglasses, sun block, caps or hats, swim suit in summer.

COMMUNICATIONS

Upon leaving cities and towns, mobile phone signals are unavailable and isolated accommodations are known to lose their Wi-Fi connection.

SERVICE STATIONS

Distances are long and service stations may be short of fuel. It is advisable to fill tanks whenever possible and always check how far the next stations are.