Puerto Madryn
One of Patagonia's top whale-watching spots
Information about Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn, in the northern part of Patagonia, is a whale-watching hotspot. This city of 100,000 people is protected from the pounding South Atlantic by the Golfo Nuevo. It grew from a tiny settlement built by Welsh immigrants in 1865, who gave it its Welsh name of Porth Madryn.
This is a cheerful, bustling city with plenty of modern facilities for shopping, dining, and pleasure-seeking. But the true star of the show is the Golfo Nuevo and the creatures that make its waters and shores their home. This makes Puerto Madryn the perfect place to explore the area.
The whole Valdes Peninsula supports an abundance of wildlife. From elephant seals, sea lions, and penguins, to whales and dolphins, and innumerable seabirds, the region teems with wonders.
After a day of wildlife watching, what better way to recharge than with a superb local steak or some delicious seafood in one of Puerto Madryn’s many great restaurants?
Interesting facts about Puerto Madryn
The black sands of Loveria de Punta Loma beach is a popular place for huge elephant seals to haul out. You can snorkel among the playful sea lions here. There are many boat trips available from Puerto Madryn to find orcas and southern right whales who move serenely through the offshore waters. Take a trip to Punta Tombo to witness the extraordinary sight of 1,500,000 Magellanic penguins who call the point their home.
Pictures of Puerto Madryn
