The 15 Shore Excursions in Puerto Madryn That Earn Their Price

1.Cruise Shore Excursion Península Valdés – Pto Madryn – Patagonia – Argentina

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 111 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $95Our pick

Travel from Puerto Madryn’s pier into Peninsula Valdes with an English-speaking guide, stopping at the interpretation center, Caleta Valdes, elephant seal colonies, penguins, and possible sea lions. Guides such as Mary, Carolina, Santiago, and Nora add wildlife expertise. Expect a long ride, variable sightings, and a boxed lunch.

“Our guide on this tour, Carolina, is extremely knowledgeable and professional. She competently explained, in both English and Spanish what to look for and provided a great description of the background and a little history of the places we visited. She made the tour most enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $120Top rated

Travel from Puerto Madryn’s cruise pier to Punta Tombo, South America’s largest Magellanic penguin reserve. You’ll have about two hours to walk the 1.5-kilometer trail, see nests and coastal penguins, and spot guanacos or rheas. A box lunch, air-conditioned transport, and port return are included, but the entrance fee costs about $20.

“It was nice to start the trip early in the morning. We were the first group of visitors to reach Punta Tombo that day. It was great when the light was good, the beach less crowded, and penguins more active. We still were able to see plenty of penguins in the end of March, which was a major concern for us and even the tour guide. The bus had plenty of leg room and the seat was comfortable, which was important for a 2.5 hour ride. The lunch box had good portion size and the taste was Ok.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $125

Travel from Puerto Madryn’s pier to Punta Tombo in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English and Spanish-speaking guide. Walk among Magellanic penguins, spot guanacos and Patagonian hares, and enjoy a boxed lunch. The day may also include a dinosaur replica and a short Puerto Madryn tour.

“Great experience with a great guide. So many penguins and lama like animals. Very good packed lunch and comfortable vehicle. Only downside is the drive is through some of the most boring landscapes I have ever seen. Highly recommended if you want to see the penguins.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Península Valdés – Patagonia – Argentina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $159

From Puerto Madryn, you travel by air-conditioned vehicle across Peninsula Valdés to Estancia San Lorenzo, home to a huge Magellanic penguin rookery. You’ll also visit Punta Norte for sea lions and elephant seals, with occasional orca sightings. Guides such as Beto, Martin, Fernando, and Mary are known for wildlife insight, but expect long hours on the road and extra entrance fees.

“Excellent tour. Excellent tour guide. Excellent vehicle. Excellent penguins and sea lions and seals, looong ride 2 1/2 hours each way but worth it on paved and gravel roads 99% smooth, food mediocre at best—bring power bars, excellent toilets too. Just do it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Punta Tombo Shore Excursion w/box Lunch(Shared tour for cruises)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 40 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $135

You’ll leave Puerto Madryn by air-conditioned vehicle for Punta Tombo, about two hours away, then follow marked paths through a huge Magellanic penguin colony. Guides such as Mariana, Claudia, Nico, and Max have explained the birds and Patagonian wildlife in English and Spanish. A basic box lunch, port pickup, and return are included.

“Seeing penguins up close and observing their behavior was amazing. We were on a cruise and our ship was unable to stop at Port Stanley so we were desperate to see penguins in Puerto Madryn and signed up for this tour at the last minute. We were very glad they could accommodate our group of eight. Our guide, Marianna, was enthusiastic and informative. Although the drive was long and scenery barren, she talked to us and even moved throughout the small bus making sure all could hear when the PA system was uncooperative. Punta Tomba has a beautiful shoreline and we saw hundreds of penguins plus other animals. The only…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Punta Tombo Shore Excursion for Cruise Guests

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 6 hours · from $90

Meet your guide outside Piedrabuena Pier for a six-hour trip to Punta Tombo, 180 km south of Puerto Madryn. A bilingual English and Spanish guide leads a 1.5-hour walk among wild Magellanic penguins. The tour follows your ship’s schedule and returns to the same pier, though the long drive and small vehicle require patience.

“We had a great time in Punto Tombo, it was really nice to see the Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat! Our guide/driver was also very good. The only downside was the car itself; four adults spent four hours in a Dacia Duster, which was really uncomfortable. Otherwise, it was a great day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Punta Loma Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 22 reviews · 3 hours · from $50Best value

From Piedrabuena Pier, a bilingual guide takes you through Puerto Madryn to Punta Loma Provincial Reserve. Walk two short trails, view sea lions and cubs from a lookout, and watch cormorants nesting on the cliffs. The tour lasts three hours, costs $50, and does not include the reserve entrance fee.

“The main theme of the tour is to see sea lions, but we can see the sea lions even at the pier”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Peninsula Valdés Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19 reviews · 7 hours · from $112

From Puerto Madryn’s port, you’ll spend about seven hours exploring Peninsula Valdes with an English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. Expect a 45-minute drive each way, an interpretation center, coastal viewpoints, and wildlife stops that may include elephant seals, penguins, sea lions, guanacos, maras, rheas, and foxes. Mariano and David have led well-praised departures, but guide assignments vary.

“Amazingly beautiful. David was a phenomenal guide and extremely knowledgeable. Only concern was anxiety getting back to our ship in time. We cut it very close and someone in our group had mobility issues. Driver didn’t seem to be in tune with this. Otherwise, I cannot say enough positive things about this amazing experience while visiting Puerto Madryn. Saw lots of wildlife and enjoyed wonderful breathtaking scenery.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Cruise Shore Excursion Península Valdés – Box Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 14 reviews · 7 hours · from $105

Travel from Puerto Madryn to Peninsula Valdes in a small group of up to 15, with an English or Spanish guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and box lunch. The route includes the El Desempeño interpretation center and Caleta Valdes, where you can see elephant seals and Magellan penguins, with orcas only an occasional possibility.

“Started out bad. They had us coming in on the wrong ship. So, even though we were there very early, and did everything right, we were the last to board the van! Was told we were “lucky” there was two empty seats! Really? NOT our fault!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Península Valdés: Shore excursion for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 8 reviews · 6 hours · from $150

From Piedrabuena Pier, an English or Spanish guide takes you by air-conditioned van to the Ameghino Isthmus and Caleta Valdes. You’ll see a whale skeleton, elephant seals, sea lions, and Magellanic penguins. Daniel has added extra stops for some groups, but expect long drives and limited time at the reserve.

“A lot of travel time but our guide and driver were great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Península Valdés Shore Tour for Cruise Passengers + City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $105

From Puerto Madryn’s cruise pier, you’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle into Peninsula Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route includes the Visitor Center, elephant seals at Caleta Valdés, Puerto Pirámides, and sea lions at Punta Pirámides, with possible views of maras, guanacos, and rheas. Spanish and English guiding is available.

“The tour was great, we loved it. The tour guide was knowledgeable and fun, she knew when to give us time for photos or a nap in the van. The day was a long day but the things we saw were amazing. We would recommend the tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Punta Loma + Ranch Shore Excursion for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $150

Meet your bilingual guide outside Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier for a four-hour outing to Punta Loma and San Guillermo Ranch. Watch sea lions and cormorants, taste tortas fritas and mate, see sheep shearing, and eat lamb empanada and lamb goulash. Guide Ferdinand has also led this route.

“Ferdinand met us arranged, took us around Puerto Madryn before seeing Sea lions the to ranch. Excellent tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Punta Tombo Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers + City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $105

Travel from Puerto Madryn’s cruise pier to Punta Tombo with an English or Spanish guide. You’ll see Magellanic penguins at close range, watch for guanacos and Patagonian hares, and may add Puerto Madryn sights on the return. Karen and Hernán are named guides from a recent departure.

“Excursión buenísima, gracias a Karen, la guía y a Hernán, el chofer. Los dos muy atentos. Karen con mucho conocimiento del área y explica muy bien. Punta Tombo, creo que es único lugar dónde se puede "caminar entre los pingüinos". No compramos el almuerzo, pues compramos un par de empanadas y un café en la parada del baño y gasolina, y nos fué bien. Tuvimos tiempo de ir a ver estatua del dinosaurio "Patagotita" y a tirarnos fotos. Y como era un tour de crucero, tuvimos suficiente tiempo de llegar al puerto y dar una vuelta por el área antes de entrar al barco. Recomiendo 100% a Sussanich Turismo.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Shore Tours Península Valdés Puerto Madryn Cruise Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $120

Meet your guide at Puerto Madryn’s pier for a seven-hour small-group trip across Península Valdés. You’ll visit Caleta Valdés, Punta Cantor, and Puerto Pirámides, with chances to see sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, penguins, and seasonal whales. Guides speak Spanish and English, and the van carries up to 20 people.

“Your company really earned your name, Animal Travel! The guide, Verena, is super knowledgeable about biology of each of these animals on land and in water. Driver, Nabal is an excellent safe driver. All of the staff waiting for us at the port were very friendly and helpful. The tour was for 12 of us in a 15 passenger van, very comfortable. Verena was able to pay for our entrance tickets in a few minutes so we could spend more time touring - ran very efficiently. With the limited time, we were still able to visit Punta Pyramida at the end of the tour. Lunch box is a good way…”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

From the Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier, your guide takes you through Punta Cuevas, Playa Paraná, and Punta Loma Provincial Reserve. You’ll see sea lions, rock cormorants, and wide views of Puerto Madryn, then tour its industrial and fishing districts. English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian guiding is available.

Check availability →Read our full review