Valdes Peninsula

As Argentina’s premier wildlife destination this, almost desolate, windblown peninsula is a scenic nature reserve that extends out of Central Patagonia and is loosely connected to the mainland, reaching into the South Atlantic. As one of the world’s largest marine wildlife reserves, it offers some of the continent’s best sightings of whales, penguins and elephant seals amongst others. 

The peninsula is accessed from the nearest gateway town of Puerto Madryn, which was founded in 1886 by Welsh settlers. Despite its popularity as the access point to the reserve, it has retained its pleasant, small town atmosphere and some of the street names in the town have kept their welsh name, hinting to their heritage, but there is little other evidence of this.

Marine wildlife lovers in particular will be drawn to the region, which was declared ‘Mankind’s Natural Heritage Site’ by UNESCO in 1999.

The area is explored mainly by boat expedition with local guides, bringing you close to the marine life. Accommodation options are mainly in Puerto Madryn, but there are also estancias or working farms that provide more of a naturally inspired and intimate setting, such as La Ernestina, which also offers excellent wildlife tours from the Punta Norte of the peninsula.