There are two different types of whale watch tours. In peninsula valdes, we were able to see sea lions, elephant seals, penguins, guanacos, armadillos and more animals its not whale season. August to october is the best time to observe elephant seals on the peninsula valdes. On any given day trip youll likely see huge rafts of sea otters. This is the place they come to hunt and entertain their enthusiastic audience watching on. Whale watching season in argentine patagonia extends from may to december. The best chance of seeing whales in peninsula valdes is during the month of october when the maximum number is reached. You can spot southern right whales during their breeding season between june and december, while orcas can be seen from november through to april. Between october to december, your best bet is at caleta valdes on the eastern end of peninsula valdes, where elephant seal pups swim around in the shallow waters. Best time to go whale watching the argentina specialists. Enjoy the unique and extraordniary experience of doing a whale watching at the best place in the world, pue. Mysterious deaths threaten a population of southern right whales december 06, 20 a southern right whale breaching off of peninsula valdes, argentina. The next morning i jumped in a van with a group of eager tourists and was swept away into a fullday excursion which included whales, penguins, dolphins, orcas, elephant seals, guanacos, maras, armadillos, and more.
An advantage of a tour is the english speaking guide. They were really nice and interesting and we would recommend them. Shaped like an ax, the valdes peninsula is marked by its vibrant coastline, a stunning array of tall cliffs, rocky reefs, and exotic marine mammals. Complete guide to spotting orcas in peninsula valdes in.
In the middle of the year, a new sound can be heard in the sea. The valdes peninsula is the place of choice for the mating of these giant seagoing mammals. The peninsula consists mainly of sparse landscapes with some small salt lakes. Find out how to whale watch in argentina, the best time to whale watch in argentina and more. The peninsula valdes day trip with optional whale watching tour starts and ends in puerto madryn. In april its possible to see orcas while june marks the start of whale season. Destinations are typically the visitors center, puerto piramides for whale or marine fauna watching depending on the season, caleta valdespenguin area and punta norte. It is calculated that approximately 20 thousand reach the valdes peninsula each year between august and march to mate, give birth and molt.
Without a doubt, peninsula valdes is one of the best places in south america for whale watching. Spend 4 days amongst magellanic penguins, elephant seals and sea lions, and explore their natural environments. Discover the wild landscapes and unique wildlife of the peninsula valdes on a fullday tour from puerto madryn, including hotel pickup and an optional whalewatching experience. Nov 28, 2006 the peninsula valdes whale watching and wildlife tour. Go when the weather is bad, and it might be hard to see anything. The herds of southern right whales thus named because it was the right whale to hunt for its turpitude and tendency to swim close to the surface tend to arrive in late august, although some are often sighted as early as. During the whale season in the peninsula valdes scientists work with the tourism industry embarking on the same boats and sharing pictures to study and preserve the enormous mammals who travel all. This is an experience that allows you to see up close the majestic southern right whales, that every autumn and winter southern hemisphere reach the atlantic coast to reproduce. What is the best time to see whales in peninsula valdes. Argentina whale watching, plus elephant seals, sea lions and magellanic penguins will be sure to impress even the most welltravelled adventurer. Whalewatching holidays to peninsula valdes, argentina. Some 1,500 in all of these majestic creatures frequent the coast and can be seen all year round. We all have seen the documentaries in which orcas strand onto the sand beach to catch a seal pup.
Valdes peninsula is one of the best places in the world to observe marine life. One of the most attractive of all local residents are orcas or killer whales. To our delight we were also able to see the orca whales. Whale watching in peninsula valdes puerto madryn and piramides. Peninsula valdes is one the best spots in the world to see killer whales orcas in the wild. Valdes peninsula, whales paradise specialist travel agency. A trip to puerto madryn can be the gateway to such paradise. As one of the most important areas for marine mammals and birds in south america, visiting peninsula valdes is an unforgettable experience. Beautiful peninsula valdes in argentina is the location for orca action when sea lion pups, the favorite prey for these huge acrobatic dolphins, are about to go to sea for the first time. The agency is not liable for any refunds or cancellations. This suggests that more than one cause may be responsible for these high mortality events, the study authors write. Cuyunco turismo puerto madryn 2020 all you need to know. The best chances of success are during september and october.
Follow seans journey along the coast of argentina and find out if he saw these majestic whales. Peninsula valdes is a peninsula into the atlantic ocean in the biedma department of northeast chubut province, argentina. During this wildlife adventure in the surroundings of trelew you will be able to observe whales as well as other patagonian wildlife. This is an old dream of mine jenny, so i dragged steven onto a 20hour bus ride from buenos aires to puerto madryn in order to visit the peninsula valdes. The valdes peninsula is a unique land formation and global conservation site, home to an abundance of marine life as well as countless weird and wonderful land mammals and birds. Come to puerto madryn, get aboard and be moved to tears sharing the deep blue sea with these giants. While winter is the best time to see them in puerto madryn itself, the spring months of september and october are considered the best for whale watching off peninsula valdes. Mysterious deaths threaten a population of southern right. At caleta valdes, you can watch a colony of sea elephants bask in the sun. Killer whales or orcas lunging up and intentionally stranding or beaching themselves to catch sea lions pups in peninsula valdes, patagonia, argentina. Peninsula valdes puerto madryn 2020 all you need to know. Orcas love this particular part of argentina because of the large abundance of. Looking for orcas at the peninsula valdes tales from the.
Peninsula valdes argentina has the best whale watching in the world. Explore the stunning peninsula valdes on this fullday tour from puerto madryn. The peninsula valdes day trip with optional whale watching is a natural landmarks sightseeing tour that takes 1 days taking you through puerto madryn, argentina and other destinations in argentina. Drive through the beautiful national park, look out for animal species and learn all about the different flora and fauna which call patagonia home. Everything from penguins over sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins to whales depending on the season you visit. When to see wildlife in peninsula valdes encounter latin. Puerto madryn tourism and whalewatching in the valdes peninsula. Valdes peninsula, whales paradise this tour will allow you to appreciate in a complete way this privileged place in our atlantic patagonia.
The orcas hunting strategies are extremely variable please have a look on our main page about orcas to learn more. Learn about patagonias native flora and fauna from your expert naturalist guide as you spot elephant seals, penguins, and sea lions along the coast. Southern right whales in valdes peninsula planet doc. Find the perfect valdes peninsula whale watching stock photo.
Orca season in punta norte peninsula valdes patagonia. In the morning, visit the coastal nature reserve valdes peninsula. The protected specie southern right whale and hundreds of thousands of penguins in puerto piramide and punta tombo speak volumes. The most common whale in the region is the southern right whale. Orcas seasons in valdes peninsula argentine patagonia. Peninsula valdes is one of the best whale watching spots in the world. At least, i remember this very well, and since i was a child this is the kind of animal encounter and behaviour i absolutely want to witness. Valdes peninsula whale watching argentine patagonia eco.
Travel consultant sean takes us on his journey to find the southern right whale. Full day in peninsula valdes with whale watching in puerto. From hefty elephant seals and rare southern right whales to waddling penguins and playful dolphins, find out when and where are the best places to see wildlife in peninsula valdes. The best season to see penguins and whales in puerto madryn. That time is the last chance in whale season and the summer holydays begins in argentina. Whale watching at peninsula valdes cultura cercana. Peninsula valdes day trip with optional whale watching by. Get up close and personal with the whales and keep your camera ready for a stunning tail flip or breaching. The calving season starts in the middle of november, an exciting time to see baby dolphins. The hunting technique of the orcas around valdes peninsula, argentina, is absolutely unique. The first southern right whales appear every year in june and their numbers increase daily, right through to december. Looking for orcas at the peninsula valdes tales from the lens. According to our guide the best time of the year to visit the peninsula is between september 15th and october 15th when there is plenty of animals and full activity.
Zenfolio wildlife photography by bill klipp orca beach. At times in the season it is even possible to wander along the shoreline and have young whale mothers with their calves only twenty feet away in the water. Argentina peninsula valdes is one the best spots in the world to see killer whales orcas in the wild. Peninsula valdes is a haven for bird watchers all year round. If you wish to book this activity specifically for whale watching, please do not book outside of whale season. Discover the wild landscapes and unique wildlife of the peninsula valdes on a fullday tour from puerto madryn, including hotel pickup and an optional whale watching experience. The whales of the pensinsula valdes accidental nomads. Kayak in peninsula valdes during the whale season, when youll get within 50 metres of majestic, rare, southern right whales, and get the chance to see the peninsulas magellanic penguins. Is end of december to see whales in the valdes peninsula. Nhk japan also was filming at valdes peninsula in the orcas attack season. You can spot birds, sea lions, whales, elephant seals and dolphins off the coastline of peninsula valdes from july to september. A cruise in valdes peninsula gives you the opportunity to experience the wild animals from a close perspective.
Complete guide to spotting orcas in peninsula valdes in patagonia. At peninsula valdes, argentina, orcas beach themselves with great energy in order to catch the seal pups from the shore. The main whale species that is seen in the two main bays of the peninsula is the southern right whale which can grow up to 20 meters in length and can weigh up to 50 tonnes in weight. Temperatures range from an average high of around 60f to an average low of between 50f and 40f. Between june and december, the southern right whale arrives at the coast of peninsula valdes for their breeding season. This familyrun company operating out of valdez will show you the best glaciers, with great customer service along the way. Of the baleaena genus, the whales are characterized by the callosities on their heads, broad backs and lack of dorsal fin. When to visit argentinas incredible peninsula valdes sa. If you plan to come to see orcas and you want to arrive at the right time, you have to read this article, to understand general aspects of the 2 orcas seasons that occur throughout peninsula valdes. Peninsula valdes whale watching tour experience argentina. In 2006, 80% of visitors to peninsula valdes arriving between june and december engaged in whale watch tourism, and over 61 million usd of revenue was generated either directly or indirectly for argentina through whale watching tourism. Rarely do whales make it quite so easy to get up close here, southern right whales glide along just metres from the shoreline, and orcas even beach themselves in search of sea.
Besides, there is the possibility of a thrilling navigation among the magnificent southern whales to. Whale watching season in argentine patagonia goes from may to december, but the best time to see the most action is in september and october. Jan 29, 2016 the peninsula valdes in argentina is a spectacular seascape in the southern cone of south america. The whale watching peak season is from september to november, but the season is longer than that, start in june and end in dicember, if you want to know more about this topic visit this link about the whale watching season in peninsula valdes. The magellanic penguin is the most common in the area with aroung 40,000 active nests. Peninsula valdes and puerto madryn swoop patagonia. Valdes peninsula, whales paradise specialist travel. Whale season along puerto madryns coast runs from may until december. Argentina tours peninsula valdes 3 day argentina tour. In this section we have endeavoured to run through the main seasons and the main. The whale watching from boats lasts for about an hour, depending on how close to the shore the whales are. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. For more independence rental cars are available to explore the peninsula.
Oct 16, 2008 the valdes peninsula is the place of choice for the mating of these giant seagoing mammals. The peninsula valdes tour operates throughout the year. Whale watching season in the argentine patagonia is from may to december. Killer whales gather to kill sea lions off the coast of. Here you can enjoy some of the best whale watching in the world. A perfect 3day trip of peninsula valdes national park to combine with your argentina travels. Apr 22, 2012 beautiful peninsula valdes in argentina is the location for orca action when sea lion pups, the favorite prey for these huge acrobatic dolphins, are about to go to sea for the first time. Peninsula valdes tour, whale watching peninsula valdes. Go at certain times of year, and you probably wont see whales. I am especially interested in understanding the underlaying causes of large whale mortalities with the aim of preventing their occurrence when possible. Whale watching in peninsula val des, argentina travel consultant, sean mcbride, recently went on a trip to peninsula valdes argentina in search of the southern right whale. Smaller, dusky dolphins can be found off the peninsula from december to march, especially between golfo nuevo and golfo san jose.
Peninsula valdes cruise excursion from puerto madryn. The ecolodge rests within the world heritage site and nature reserve of valdes peninsula,argentine patagonia. Peninsula valdes puerto madryn 2020 all you need to. Located in the town of puerto piramides, small village of 500 people, the only port town offering whale watching tours in argentina. When you go to peninsula valdes will have much to do with the experience you have. The guides were great and were so excited about sharing this part of nature. Find the perfect peninsula valdes and whales stock photo. Along with penguins, whales are the top draw to the greater peninsula valdes area, although the two species are found in different locations. It is famous for whales and other marine mammals, such as the southern elephant seals and eared seals. Full day in peninsula valdes with whale watching in puerto piramides. Whale watching at peninsula valdes to the north of the puerto madryn, peninsula valdes stretches out like a great protective arm, embracing the golfo nuevo. Full day punta tombo for whale watching best season to watch whales best whale watching season bewtween august and december each year hote peninsula or similar 4 stars itinerary.
Puerto madryn meet your guide at the hotel lobby for full day tour to the peninsula valdes. Argentina tours visit peninsula valdes and puerto madryn on this argentina tour extension. We visited in october when it is high season for whale watching. Theres no other place in the world where you can see orcas hunt like this. Get as close as you ever imagine to the southern right whale in peninsula valdes private guided tour between june and december, the southern right whale arrives to the coast of peninsula valdes in order to fullfill their breeding season. Every year between june and december southern right whales visit the protected gulfs of the peninsula to breed, mate and give birth. Go at low tide, and the viewing might not be as good. Its also one of the regions prime locations for whale watching.
The valdes peninsula is an important nature reserve that was first listed as a world heritage site by unesco in 1999. When to see wildlife in peninsula valdes class adventure. Considered one of the most valuable wildlife areas in the world, peninsula valdes is home to the southern elephant seal, sea lion, and right whale. Southern right whale eubalaena australis, breaching, valdes peninsula, patagonia, argentina. Visit peninsula valdes on a trip to argentina audley travel.
Itinerarythis is a typical itinerary for this productpass by. Peninsula valdes is a stunning natural habitat for marine mammals of all sorts. In the off whale season the best option for a closer look at the local marine wildlife are the boat tours that take you out to observe sea lions, cormorants, and occasionally dolphins. Whale watching season in valdes peninsula punta tombo penguin patagonia argentina. The mating rite is marked by the twists and turns of the courting dance, spectacular leaps into the air and crashing dives back into the sea, an exciting show that we are very lucky to have witnessed. Aug 16, 2019 a complete guide for spotting orcas at peninsula valdes in patagonia by sebastien chaneac updated 16 august, 2019 posted in. Peninsula valdes tour from puerto madryn with hotel pickup. There is only one place in argentina to really get a good whale experience, and this is around the peninsular valdez and the small town of puerto madryn. The southern right whale has returned to the valdes peninsula. Full day day excursion to peninsula valdes for sight seeing of sealions toninas, etc. During the whale season in the peninsula valdes scientists. The unique geography of the valdes peninsula has made it a haven for whales, and this is now one of the best places in patagonia to see them.
You cannot miss this wonderful show that is renewed and happens every year. This unesco world heritage site is home to the largest concentration of this species of whale in the world. It is one of argentinas largest nature reserves and is a protected unesco world heritage site to boot, home to ahuge variety of marine mammals and seabirds. Were in peninsula valdes on the patagonian coast of argentina. With the east patience in the attack channel, within 5 hours required of the tide, more than 30 days were stationed, awaiting the appearance of the orca stranding, and they succeeded, sometimes not easy to make shots with good light and good angle, that is why they decided to remain one month in our town puerto piramides. The rest of the year, the cruise goes seal watching. There is some fascinating history to be discovered here too, as you explore the vast open steppe, steep sandstone cliffs and salt flats at 42m below sea level. However, the whale watching tour is only available during whale season, from midjune to middecember.
When to see wildlife in peninsula valdes class adventure travel. While not strictly speaking a whale, closer in relation to the dolphin, this pod, in particular, is famed for its ability to slide up the beach in order to hunt the basking seals that come to the valdes shores in the mating season at the start of august and september. Whale watching in peninsula valdes half day the village puerto piramides has 450 permanent residents and is situated 100 km62 miles from puerto madryn. Youll be able to spot a variety of marine mammals, such as sea lions, as you drive along the scenic cliffs overlooking the bay and beach area.
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