By Marina Veccia
When to see the Southern Right Whale
Puerto Madryn is renowned for being an ideal location to observe the Southern Right whale. This massive mammal is classified as an endangered species and migrates to the calm and warm waters of the Nuevo Gulf annually to breed, nurse, and mate. This is the whale-watching season that runs from June to December. Although, the peak months for whale spotting are September and October when the highest number of them can be found in these waters.
The Southern Right whale is unique to the Southern Hemisphere. To provide some perspective on their size, an adult specimen can weigh up to 4 tons and measure 5 meters in length. Another interesting fact is that adult females are typically pregnant for a year. When the calf is born, it measures approximately 4 meters in length and weighs around 8 tons. After birth, the calves stay with their mother for another year until they are prepared to survive independently.
While it is possible to spot them from the city coast, the best experience is found by traveling about an hour from Puerto Madryn to Puerto Piramides in the Valdes Peninsula. This small settlement has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. During the road trip, get ready to find guanacos, Patagonian hares, choiques, grey foxes, and sheeps. Once you arrive in Puerto Piramides, you will head to the shore and take a boat tour to observe adult whales and their calves up close.
Where to see Southern Right Whales
The boat trip lasts for an hour and a half, which provides enough time to have a nearby encounter with these majestic animals. Be prepared to take unique photos and witness an unforgettable spectacle of nature. These whales are very active and curious about what’s happening on the surface. The tour guide on board will explain everything about their captivating behavior, which you will experience firsthand: the whale blow, which is the hot air getting out of their lungs; the lobtailing, when they submerge the entire body except for the tail that remains out of the water, and the spyhopping, when they take their head out of the water just out of curiosity.
After your exciting experience, head to Punta Pirámides, 5 kilometers from Puerto Piramides, to observe a colony of sea lions basking in the sun. This is also an excellent spot to see whales from the top of the cliff. The views are truly amazing! And on your way back to Puerto Madryn, don’t forget to stop at the visitor’s center and check out the impressive skeleton.
If this adventure wasn’t enough, there’s another fantastic place to observe whales up close: El Doradillo nature reserve, situated 15 kilometers from Puerto Madryn. Here, you can see them from the shore without having to sail. The water here is very deep, so the whales and their calves swim to the coast creating a beautiful natural spectacle. In addition, you should visit the Ecocentro to learn more about the largest animal on Earth, where you can access the Whale Room to have a unique sensory experience. You’ll feel as if you’re underwater next to these giants and can also find out about other species that inhabit the Argentino Sea.
Wildflife watching in Puerto Madryn
However, Puerto Madryn isn’t just about whales. Prepare to experience encounters with many other animals in close proximity! Another fascinating creature found in this area is the orca. Even though they are not easy to spot and require heading to the north of the Peninsula Valdes to see them, it’s a good idea to do so if you’re coming to see whales in November.
Are you the adventurous type? If you love the sea, you should definitely experience diving with sea lions. They are some of the friendliest and most curious mammals of the Argentino Sea. The tour will take you to Punta Loma, south of Puerto Madryn, to embark on a boat that will take you on your next adventure —interacting with sea lions at sea!
Finally, you can’t leave without seeing the penguins. We recommend visiting the Punta Tombo penguin colony. Here, you will see one of the largest colonies of Magellanic penguins. Every year, from September to April, they arrive on our coasts to mate. Despite being 180 kilometers away from Puerto Madryn, it is a trip worth taking, since you will have the chance to walk very near to them.
Let us know when you would like to plan your trip to visit our beautiful sea life paradise!
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