PENINSULA VALDES

Puerto Piramides | Caleta Valdes | Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery | Punta Norte

There are few sites in the world that can be compared with the Nature Reserve of Peninsula Valdes: a microcosm of blissful peace where the ripples of a calm sea gently stroke the skins of the resident species, and the traveller who lays foot on its warm sands will temporarily lose track of time.

Peninsula Valdes is a unique wildlife haven and the ideal place for close-up watching of whales, penguins, dark dolphins, elephant seals and sea lions, birds and Patagonian land-based species such as lesser rhea, mara (Patagonian hare), foxes, skunks or flocks of guanacos.

On the eastern tip of central Patagonia, Peninsula Valdes is a virtual island that is only joined to the continent by a narrow strip of land 35 km long called Ameghino Isthmus.

It is on the northeast of Chubut province, 77 km from Puerto Madryn (only one hour's drive away).

From its narrowest point (around 7 km), the gulfs of San José, in the north and Nuevo, in the south, are visible.

The peninsula is 3,625 square km in area, 63 km long and 97 wide. An interesting basin (42 m below sea level) contains two salt flats, "Salinas Chica", 12 km2 in area, and "Salinas Grande", 35 km2.

Together, they form the deepest basin in the sub-continent.

Puerto Piramides is the only city in Peninsula Valdes. This small tourist village, built on the shores of Golfo Nuevo, is heaven for whale watchers.

The protected area of the Peninsula Valdes reserve reaches to the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus. That is where the Eco-Centre is located: an official body belonging to the Chubut Tourism Secretariat, dedicated to the study of the coastal and ocean eco-systems, which makes it the ideal place to ask for information about flora, fauna, and the geography and history of the surrounding area.

The main biome or landscape variety in Peninsula Valdes is the high coastal plateau type, covering 90% of its surface; the remaining 10% is formed by closed basins (salt flats) and coastal environments featuring cliff-backed sandy and rocky beaches.

The rest of its surface is a mosaic of different reserves and private properties, because trying to protect the Patagonian fauna; the provincial government decreed that the whole surface of the peninsula should become a single Fauna Reserve.

The UNESCO has declared the Peninsula a Natural World Heritage.

MARINE FAUNA SPOTTING
Marine fauna spotting is the main cultural activity in Puerto Madryn and the surrounding area.

One can view a wide variety, and in great numbers, of specimens of marine fauna from the coast or from boats.

Enormous whales, only a few m away, elephant seals and sea lions, penguins, birds of all kinds, guanacos and other land-based species mill around this enormous 360 hectare Nature Reserve, almost its only inhabitants and the "stars" of its stage.

The small size of Golfo Nuevo and its landscape offers many options for boat excursions.

There is a wide variety of offers to observe two of the most fascinating wildlife spectacles in the world: the Punta Tombo Magellanic penguin rookery (September through March) and the southern right whale in Península Valdés (June through December). In both cases, one can also view elephant seals and sea lion colonies as well.

There are many options for the tours: catamarans, sailboats, speedboats or kayaks. They all offer the tourist the chance of viewing birds, dolphins and sea lions, and even of sailing around the wreckage of sunken ships.

This is why the landscape suddenly takes a larger dimensions for the tourist who is enjoying a boat trip around its cliff-lined coasts.

Fauna reserves

Istmo Carlos Ameghino.

Isla de los Pajaros.

Puerto Piramides.

Punta Delgada.

Punta Cantor.

Punta Norte.

Species that may be observed and viewing periods:

• Whales: June through December. Recommendation: August or September.
• Orcas: all year. Better chances in March-April in Punta Norte; September in Caleta Valdes; April in Peninsula Valdes.
• Dolphins: July through March.
• Sea lions: all year. Mating season: December through April.
• Elephant seals: all seasons. Recommended: September and October. During the November - April period they are seen in large numbers, but they are inactive. From April through August they can be seen in isolated molting groups.
• Penguins: September through March.
• Sea birds: southern spring and summer.
• Land birds: all year.
• Guanacos: all year.
• Maras (Patagonian hares): all year. Recommended: September through February.
• Gray and red foxes: all year round. Recommended: southern hemisphere summer.
• Armadillos and piches: all year.