Viedma: Coastal Landscapes and Whale Watching

The Península Valdés has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is an area of global importance for the conservation of marine mammals. The Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés covers 887,775 hectares of Patagonian steppe and Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas, and is located in the Departamento de Biedma. As you plan your trip, it is worth considering the different landscapes and seasonal highlights for wildlife viewing.

Coastal Landscapes and Protected Area

The dynamic coastal zone of the Península Valdés takes many different forms: cliffs up to 100 meters high alternate with shallow bays and coastal lagoons. Other landscape features include extensive mudflats, sandy and gravel beaches, active dunes, and small islands. The protected area thus brings together open steppe and a varied coastline, with viewpoints and wildlife-watching opportunities spread across multiple locations.

Puerto Pirámides is the only urban center within the Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés. It can be reached via Provincial Route No. 2, which leads into the peninsula from National Route No. 3. If you are interested in whale watching by boat, Puerto Pirámides is the departure point specified in the available offerings: six companies run whale-watching boat trips from there from June to December.

Whale Watching Throughout the Year

Southern right whales use the Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés as a breeding and nursery ground. They can be seen there from mid-June to the end of November. Boat trips from Puerto Pirámides run from June to December. The two periods overlap for much of the year but have different end dates: the whale-watching season ends in late November, while the boat trips described here are offered through December.

Whales can also be seen at the El Doradillo Nature Reserve, from June to October, close to shore. The reserve falls within the jurisdiction of Península Valdés. These months offer a concrete guide if whale watching is a focus of your trip; the locations and periods differ from the boat trips in Puerto Pirámides.

Other Wildlife

In addition to southern right whales, the wildlife of the Península Valdés includes southern elephant seals, South American sea lions, and Magellanic penguins. Southern elephant seals can be seen at Caleta Valdés, where pups are especially common in October and November. Punta Norte is known for orcas and a sea lion colony. Orcas approach the coast and deliberately beach themselves to hunt sea lion pups, especially in March and April. These months are therefore a different seasonal highlight from whale watching, which runs from June to November.

At Punta Loma, an elevated viewpoint overlooks the Golfo Nuevo. A year-round resting and breeding site for South American sea lions is located there. A trail also offers the chance to observe and learn about the region’s native flora. Eleven bird species can be observed at Isla de Los Pájaros. These locations offer different highlights for trip planning: sea lions at Punta Loma, birds at Isla de Los Pájaros, or orcas and a sea lion colony at Punta Norte.

Nature, Activities, and Regional Cuisine

The Centro de Interpretación Istmo Florentino Ameghino provides a general overview of the nature of the Península Valdés. In Puerto Pirámides, whale watching by boat is one of the main activities; other offerings include snorkeling trips with sea lions and mountain biking excursions. At Punta Pirámide, a viewpoint offers views of a sea lion colony and the Golfo Nuevo. These activities and viewpoints cater to different interests, from wildlife watching and learning about nature to water-based or mountain biking activities.

The cuisine in Puerto Pirámides also reflects the region. Dishes on offer include seafood, such as gratinated scallops, local seafood, and Trucha al disco, as well as traditional Patagonian lamb roasted over an open fire.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Puerto Madryn, Departamento Cushamen, Sarmiento Department, Departamento Gaiman, Departamento Escalante, Gastre Department, Departamento Futaleufú, Departamento Languiñeo.

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