Argentina · WHALE WATCHING

The 6 Whale Watching Trips in Argentina That Earn Their Price

6 tours  ·  from $70 a head

Good whale watching trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 6 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Valdes Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching - The southern route through salt flats and open country
Full-Day, Peninsula Valdes Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Puerto Madryn, Whale Watching

Valdes Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching

1.Valdes Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching

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

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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Peninsula Valdes Tour with Optional Whale Watching - Carlos Ameghino Isthmus: a useful first look
Peninsula Valdes Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Puerto Madryn, Whale Watching

Peninsula Valdes Tour with Optional Whale Watching

2.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
Full-Day, Peninsula Valdes Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Puerto Madryn, Whale Watching

Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience – optional Whale Watching

3.Full Day Península Valdés Experience – optional Whale Watching

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

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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Puerto Madryn: Península Valdes with optional Whale Watching - Puerto Pirámides and the Whale Choice
Peninsula Valdes Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Puerto Madryn, Whale Watching

Puerto Madryn: Península Valdes with optional Whale Watching

4.Península Valdes with optional Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 8 reviews · 10 hours · from $133

Spend about 10 hours exploring Península Valdés with a bilingual guide, hotel pickup, and an air-conditioned vehicle. See sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, maras, and seabirds, then add a 1.5-hour whale-watching boat ride from Puerto Pirámides between mid-June and mid-December. Lunch and the reserve fee cost extra.

“Nos encantó la excursión. Nuestro guía Miguel súper profesional y sabe muchísimo! Nos encantó toda la información que nos brindó. De verdad Excelente. Sin desperdicio!!!!”

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Whale Watching Boat - What happens during the 90-minute boat trip
Boat Trips in Puerto Madryn, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Puerto Madryn, Whale Watching

Whale Watching Boat

5.Whale Watching Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 1h 30m · from $150

From Puerto Pirámides, you spend 90 minutes on an authorized boat looking for Southern Right Whales between mid-June and December. A licensed guide speaks Spanish and English, and boats carry 50 to 70 passengers. Transport to town and meals are not included. Wind can affect departures.

“Musste wegen zu viel Wind und hohem Wellengang abgebrochen werden. Warten noch immer auf den Refund!”

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Puerto Madryn: El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour - The 30-minute ride from Puerto Madryn
Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Puerto Madryn, Whale Watching

Puerto Madryn: El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour

6.El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $70Best value

Join an English or Spanish speaking guide, including Roy, for a three-hour van trip from Puerto Madryn to Punta Flecha and Playa Las Canteras. You’ll watch southern right whales from shore, sometimes only a few meters away, while learning about their behavior, migration, calves, and conservation. Coffee and cookies may be offered during the outing.

“Magnifique excursion. Beaucoup de baleines très proches de la plage. Notre guide Roy était très agréable, à l’écoute et nous a donné beaucoup d’informantes intéressantes. Une belle demi journée !”

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