Puerto Madryn Tours: Top 5 Sightseeing & Cruise Options

So, you want to go to Puerto Madryn? That’s very understandable! This bit of Argentinian Patagonia offers something truly memorable for wildlife fans, those folks very fond of nature, or those who just want to see a corner of the earth that’s still delightfully untouched. Figuring out how to get the most out of your trip is, like your call. So, I’ve made a list of five great ways to see all the sights around Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Get ready to maybe spot some whales, penguins, and loads of other fascinating creatures!

1. Peninsula Valdes Full-Day Tour: Wildlife Paradise

Oh, Peninsula Valdes. Where should I start? You know, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it certainly earns its place on that list. This peninsula teems with wildlife. Now, think penguins waddling around Punta Tombo, you have elephant seals dozing on the beach, and you might spot a southern right whale breaching the water. It’s almost like witnessing a nature show, right in front of you! Now, the full-day tour really packs it in. Usually, this tour will last about 10 to 12 hours. Most tours pick you up right from your hotel in Puerto Madryn. And I mean that’s nice, is it not? Your transportation, typically in a comfy van or mini-bus, will be covered. Usually, that group will include a guide who speaks English and Spanish. This is a plus if you’re a bit rusty with your Spanish!

Basically, the tour takes you to the most important spots of Peninsula Valdes. These places include the Interpretation Center, which gives you a bit of the peninsula’s history and wildlife, and the seal colonies at Punta Pirámide. During whale season (usually from June to December), many tours will give you a whale-watching boat excursion. This gives you an unbelievably intimate encounter with these giants. The thing I like the most is, the guides know this area well. This allows you to get more than just a visual treat. You get some deeper insights into the wildlife habits, their habitat and, more or less, the efforts to conserve them. Also, most tours also will stop for lunch at Puerto Pirámides. But that might not be included in the tour cost. So, make certain when you book! I might add that it will be so easy to lose yourself to the beauty of this region.

Why this tour is so good: For a person who is wanting to see a whole host of wildlife and superb landscapes in one go, this is for you. This is the tour, is that correct? This provides a great overview of the Valdes Peninsula. You see highlights without feeling like you’re hurrying too much.

Read our full review: Peninsula Valdes Full-Day Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viator)

2. Whale Watching Tour from Puerto Madryn: A Gentle Giant Experience

Oh, whale watching, it’s something really special. Isn’t it? Imagine being on a boat, is that correct, feeling the cool spray of the ocean, as well as that, waiting. And then there it is: a massive southern right whale breaks out of the water! And like, these whales come to the waters of Peninsula Valdes to breed and raise their young. The time to view this, very typically, runs from June to December. So, it’s sort of a seasonal show. The tours last around two to three hours. But believe me, when I tell you this, they fill every single minute with something interesting. Most excursions will take you from Puerto Pirámides, a small coastal town, on a specifically designed boat. Those are made, for real, for whale watching! You can look forward to things like an open deck for unobstructed views and expert guides who have information on the whales.

The excitement begins right after the boat leaves the harbor. You will feel, too, like anticipation grows with each passing moment. As the boat gets to the areas where whales tend to frequent, the guides will share things like behavior insights, their migration patterns and also give info on the conservation efforts that are in place. And honestly, when that whale shows up, it’s something to behold. A whale may breach completely, exposing its entire body before crashing back with a big splash, and that can just be magical. You may even see them lobtailing (slapping the tail on the surface) or spyhopping (raising their head to get a look around). Honestly, these behaviors supply awesome photo opportunities. The guides are so considerate that, that, they carefully position the boat in a way that minimizes disturbance to the whales, making sure you can get superb views.

Why this tour is worth it: If you’re absolutely crazy about whales, and that’s nothing to be ashamed about, and want a good experience that gets you really up close and personal with them, this one is totally for you. And more or less, that’s perfect. And that can just be a day changer. It’s the chance to see such giants in their natural habitat that really seals the deal for me. Plus, is that correct, you can almost feel a good way when, that the tour operators have respect for these fantastic animals.

Read our full review: Whale Watching Tour Puerto Madryn Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viator)

3. Punta Tombo Penguin Colony Tour: Walk Among Thousands

Okay, are you prepared to be mobbed by penguins? I suggest you ready yourself because a visit to Punta Tombo is absolutely amazing. This is, for example, one of the biggest penguin colonies on the continent. So, naturally, there’s a ton of the fuzzy little chaps running about! On the tours, they usually last a full day, running from eight to ten hours. And yet that is including the travel time from Puerto Madryn, so consider that too. This tour comes with transportation to and from the city. The guide helps you with some pretty awesome info regarding Magellanic penguins. As a matter of fact, the colony will house almost half a million penguins. Can you see it? It is almost like seeing something out of a movie!

When you show up at Punta Tombo, you have walkways, or the like, that allow you to meander through the colony with almost zero effect on the birds. They may very well just waddle across your path, build nests near the path. You may see the little tykes squawking at one another! Seeing these penguins is truly captivating. Spot them as they care for the young and make their way to the sea for food. As a matter of fact, you are bound to have photo opportunities! As I was saying, there are information boards across the site, which help one learn more regarding their lifecycle, behavior, plus, more or less, the steps taken to keep their colony protected. So you should watch out for them too.

Why you should do this one: if penguins get you happy, then you will have a field day with this tour. As a matter of fact, it’s an outstanding opportunity to see the animals in their habitat. The quantity of penguins in one area is clearly very impressive. The place also offers up fantastic insight into penguin lives, habits and behavior, so I have heard.

Read our full review: Punta Tombo Penguin Colony Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viator)

4. Snorkeling with Sea Lions in Puerto Madryn: An Underwater Adventure

Now if you are looking to get close, maybe too close, to wildlife, this tour might fit your expectations. And I am talking snorkeling with sea lions! I have read that the tours normally last for around three hours. And more or less that contains briefing, boat travel out to the sea lion colony. Not only that but time in the water. These excursions commonly begin with safety briefing plus some guidance by a professional guide to swimming in the ocean. They make sure one knows how to be with sea lions in a safe, also respectful way.

Once you get to the colony area, that might just be near Peninsula Valdes, that, it’s really something to get into the water. And yes, that might seem scary, it sounds more scary then it seems, the instructors know what to do! Sea lions will definitely be curious. The creatures can come quite close, too, and that means sometimes they do, do that. The swim supplies a one of a kind chance to see such marine animals at home. Look at them gliding effortlessly right under the water, and acting all playful! The guides can capture pictures also videos during the snorkel. That helps in capturing special memories of the encounter! Those who are not comfortable with swimming in general can also hang out on the boat. And still they get chances of observing animals with the deck.

So, why might you love the experience? Think if swimming among animals will bring excitement to your day? Very. You have got this. Plus you learn loads from these people. Seeing animals within water really takes something to a totally different level.

Read our full review: Snorkeling with Sea Lions Puerto Madryn Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viator)

5. Puerto Madryn City Tour: Discover the Town

Ok so you could always learn some about where to sleep too. Very. Well you are correct. Puerto Madryn actually offers a tour worth it if the group will love experiencing cultural and historical sights and also natural splendor of it. A lot of city excursions run for roughly three hours. Yet they take attendees for almost all points, interesting, and must see across town. The tour normally travels to spots for instance the monument of The Tehuelche Indian, one glimpse in history, in town, or at EcoCentro, display of artwork along marine conservation exhibits. Usually the visit has time in places like Welsh Chapel where guests might discover history and architecture.

All trips have visits on shores of beaches too, such Playa Paradiso and the spots around it. Usually the travelers stroll around also benefit through explanations out of the guides, local ones and more. These people have lots in knowledge over time and on significant landmarks here. Also this kind of an excursion lets tourists to appreciate neighborhood feel inside the city at Madryn also understand the growth over such time.

Exactly what makes this journey awesome: To anyone wishing quickly view city of Madryn coupled at cultural points as well landscapes this city excursion is excellent thing indeed. Really it’s nice approach get a quick general outline to places if only arriving in there or even people at short trip! Those tour give both educative, very entertaining for one’s folks and that includes children on top!

Read our full review: Puerto Madryn City Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viator)