Argentina · TOURS IN PUERTO MADRYN

The 15 Best Puerto Madryn Tours & Wildlife Trips

40 tours  ·  from $50 a head

Península Valdés is a long day out and the wildlife is seasonal. These 15 cover the whale boats, the penguin colonies and the coastal drives, with prices and a clear note on what is actually there in which month.

Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina - El Desempeño and the first look at the reserve
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Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes – Pto Madryn – Patagonia – Argentina

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.”

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Valdes Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching - The southern route through salt flats and open country
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Valdes Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching

2.Valdes Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · from $298

Travel from Puerto Madryn into Valdés Peninsula Protected Natural Area with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide and a small group of up to 10. Cruise from Puerto Pirámides for southern right whales from mid-June to November, or see sea lions and cormorants from December to March. Expect long drives, wild scenery, and excellent chances for wildlife.

“Very nice trip. We got to see a lot of whales. The guide on the boat knows where he is talking about and can answer all of your questions. As a bonus we saw the pinguins. sealions and sea elephants. Also we saw a lot of Guanacos and a Mara.”

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Puerto Madryn: Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions - Paraná Beach and the Spanish shipwreck
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Puerto Madryn: Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions

3.Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 81 reviews · 2h 30m · from $150

Set out from Madryn Buceo in Puerto Madryn for a 150-minute boat trip to Punta Loma Nature Reserve. You’ll pass Paraná Beach and its Spanish shipwreck, watch for whales, dolphins and penguins, then spend about 40 minutes snorkeling beside wild sea lions. Guides speak Spanish, English and Italian, and names such as Mauro, Lucio, Saira, Julian and Marcelo appear among the experienced team.

“Overall, this was a great tour experience. We loved the family environment and how helpful they were in getting our family ready. The weather was great and guides were very informative - and included photos! It would have been great if there were souvenirs that we could have purchased from this tour. The port didn’t have a lot of options and it would be a great option.”

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Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn - The road from Puerto Madryn to the reserve
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Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo with Boxlunch from Pto Madryn

4.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.”

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3 hour 4x4 tour around Puerto Madryn - Playa Parana offers a short beach stop
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3 hour 4×4 tour around Puerto Madryn

5.3 hour 4×4 tour around Puerto Madryn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $100

Join a small-group 4x4 outing from Puerto Madryn with guides such as Eduardo, Ed, Augusto, or Cynthia. You’ll cross beaches, dunes, rocky tracks, and Cerro Avanzado, visit Punta Loma’s sea lion colony, and stop for coffee or tea by the shore. The ride is exciting but rough, and the Punta Loma entry fee costs ARS 15,000 extra.

“Eduardo was fantastic. Very knowledgeable. The trip was fun and such good value . He took us to some lovely places with views and to see the sea lions. He never rushed us but also kept us to the schedule. His English was really good and he really showed us the beautiful area around Puerto Madryn”

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Peninsula Valdes Tour with Optional Whale Watching - Carlos Ameghino Isthmus: a useful first look
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Peninsula Valdes Tour with Optional Whale Watching

6.Península Valdés Tour with Optional Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $157

Spend about 12 hours exploring UNESCO-listed Peninsula Valdes from Puerto Madryn with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a bilingual guide such as Juan or Ignacio. See penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, and maras. Add a two-hour whale-watching boat trip from Puerto Piramides, subject to weather and season.

“Magical chance to see these amazing creatures close up. Nothing is guaranteed - our guide couldn't find anywhere with orcas to view on our day despite his best efforts. But in addition to whale cows and their calves, we saw sea lions, elephant seals and Magellan penguins. Like so many expeditions in Patagonia, it's a long distance across bumpy roads and a long day - but it's one you'll never forget. Excellent driver and guide.”

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Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching - Why Peninsula Valdes rewards a full day
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Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience – optional Whale Watching

7.Full Day Península Valdés Experience – optional Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $115

Spend 8 to 10 hours exploring Peninsula Valdes from Puerto Madryn with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. See guanacos, rheas, maras, sea lions, and elephant seals, then relax at Puerto Piramides. Routes can change with weather, wildlife seasons, and road conditions. Whale watching is optional from June to December.

“It is a very long drive on dirt roads, but the wildlife was amazing, we saw llamas, a flock of rheas, penguins, mares, an armadillo, sea lions, elephant seals and orcas. We were blown away by the amount of wildlife, and in late January the wild flowers were all in bloom. Our guide Nicholas, was super enthusiastic and as excited as we were to see the wildlife, he was both knowledgeable and helpful. Would recommend, although I think we were very lucky to see as much as we did. Plenty of rest rooms and a good cafe for lunch.”

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Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn - Walking among Magellanic penguins
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Shore Excursion Punta Tombo cruise passengers Puerto Madryn

8.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.”

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Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience - From Puerto Madryn to Trelew by van
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Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience

9.Punta Tombo Walking Among Penguins Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 10 hours · from $120

Travel 180 km from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, then follow a 3-kilometer path among breeding Magellanic penguins. English and Spanish guides lead the visit, with guides such as Max and Mariana praised for clear, lively explanations. The day may also include Trelew, Gaiman, dolphin watching, or elephant seals.

“Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. Our guide Max was excellent, very knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The driver was also great, very professional. Seeing penguins and elephant seals in their natural habitat was a lot of fun and definitely the highlight of the tour. The only downside is that prices for this type of activity are generally high, which is not specific to this tour.”

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Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience - Who will enjoy this tour most
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Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience

10.Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, one of South America’s largest Magellanic penguin colonies. You’ll have time to walk marked paths, watch penguins nest and raise young, and learn about Patagonia from an English- and Spanish-speaking guide. Optional stops may include elephant seals, Gaiman, and Welsh tea.

“This was a great tour in general. There was some confusion in the organization somewhere as a guide/driver showed up at our place a day early! We scrambled and headed out. It was a bit tight in the car with five people but the tour itself was great. Our driver and guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of interesting information. There was plenty of time to explore, enjoy the environment and take photos. We then enjoyed a little tour and tea in Gaiman. There were lots of leftover goodies that they packaged up for us to take back. Definitely a worthwhile excursion.”

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Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina - Stop one: the protected wildlife area
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Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes – Patagonia – Argentina

11.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.”

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From Puerto Madryn: Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip - Puerto Pirámides and the optional whale trip
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From Puerto Madryn: Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip

12.Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 41 reviews · 10 hours · from $198

Spend 10 hours exploring Península Valdés from Puerto Madryn with a bilingual guide. Walk near Magellanic penguins at San Lorenzo Ranch, look for sea lions and elephant seals at Punta Norte, and watch for guanacos, rheas, maras, foxes, and armadillos. Guides such as Alex, Esteban, and Martin have led highly praised small-group outings.

“Small group, only 4 of us. walking with the penguins was amazing, you are literally amongst them. Definitely recommend this trip.”

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Punta Tombo Shore Excursion w/box Lunch(Shared tour for cruises) - Two hours among the Magellanic penguins
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Punta Tombo Shore Excursion w/box Lunch(Shared tour for cruises)

13.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…”

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Punta Tombo Penguin Colony from Puerto Madryn with optional Toninas Watching - Puerto Rawson and the small Tonina dolphins
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Punta Tombo Penguin Colony from Puerto Madryn with optional Toninas Watching

14.Punta Tombo Penguin Colony from Puerto Madryn with optional Toninas Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $158

Leave Puerto Madryn at 7:15 am for Punta Tombo, where Magellanic penguins share the coast with seabirds and Patagonian animals. The trip includes an air-conditioned vehicle, guide, and hotel transfers at selected hotels. Add a Puerto Rawson boat ride for Tonina dolphins, or spend free time at the port. Expect a long road day and bring lunch.

“A great tour to absolutely do if you’re in Puerto Madryn. Very well-organized and our tour guide was super!”

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Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Shore Excursion for Cruise Guests - Meeting outside Piedrabuena Pier
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Puerto Madryn: Punta Tombo Shore Excursion for Cruise Guests

15.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.”

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