Argentine Patagonia harbours one of the most impressive concentrations of wildlife on Earth. From southern right whales in Puerto Madryn to Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo, orcas at Punta Norte, elephant seals at Peninsula Valdes, guanacos on the steppe, Andean condors and elusive pumas, Patagonia is a natural safari without cages or fences. The Atlantic coast of Chubut (lat -42.4833, lng -63.6167) is the marine wildlife epicentre.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires → Bariloche | 1640 km | 2 h 20 | 22 h | 18 h |
| Buenos Aires → El Calafate | 2700 km | 3 h 15 | 40 h | 35 h |
| Buenos Aires → Ushuaia | 3050 km | 3 h 35 | 50+ h | — |
| Bariloche → El Calafate | 1490 km | 1 h 45 | 28 h | 24 h |
| El Calafate → Ushuaia | 600 km | 1 h 15 | 18 h | 14 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | High season | |
| Feb | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | ||
| Mar | 6° / 18°C | 50 mm | ||
| Apr | 3° / 14°C | 70 mm | ||
| May | 0° / 10°C | 90 mm | ||
| Jun | -2° / 6°C | 110 mm | Ski season | |
| Jul | -2° / 6°C | 120 mm | ||
| Aug | -1° / 8°C | 90 mm | ||
| Sep | 1° / 12°C | 60 mm | ||
| Oct | 4° / 16°C | 40 mm | ||
| Nov | 6° / 19°C | 40 mm | ||
| Dec | 7° / 21°C | 40 mm |
Species Guide: Where and When
Southern Right Whale
Where: Puerto Piramides (Peninsula Valdes) and Playa El Doradillo (Puerto Madryn). When: June to December (peak September-October). Boat watching: USD 50-70. From the beach at El Doradillo: free. Specimens up to 15 metres and 40 tonnes.
Magellanic Penguins
Where: Punta Tombo (the world's largest continental colony, 500,000 specimens) and Peninsula Valdes. When: September to April. Peak: November-January (chicks). Walk among the penguins at 1-2 metres. Entry: USD 15-20.
Orcas
Where: Punta Norte (Peninsula Valdes). When: February to April (peak March). Orcas beach themselves to hunt sea lion pups, a behaviour unique in the world. Unpredictable: may require several days of waiting. Free (included in Peninsula Valdes entry).
Elephant Seals
Where: Punta Norte and Caleta Valdes (Peninsula Valdes). When: year-round, but male fights (August-October) and pups (September-November) are most spectacular. Males up to 4 tonnes.
Andean Condor
Where: El Chalten, El Bolson, Nahuel Huapi NP, Lanin NP. When: year-round, best in early morning on thermals. Wingspan up to 3 metres. Free: just look up.
Wildlife Calendar
- June-August: First whales at Peninsula Valdes. Elephant seal mating fights.
- September-November: Peak whales. Penguins arriving at Punta Tombo. Elephant seal pups. Best overall wildlife season.
- December-February: Penguins with chicks. Last whales. Sea lion diving at Punta Loma.
- March-May: Orcas at Punta Norte (peak March). Last penguins. Fewer tourists.
Practical Information
Responsible Watching
Maintain minimum distance from animals, do not feed them, do not use flash, respect marked trails. Whale watching operators follow strict approach protocols.
Photography Equipment
Telephoto (200-400mm) essential for marine wildlife and condors. Wide angle for landscapes with wildlife. Binoculars (minimum 8x42). Wind protection for equipment. Extra batteries (cold drains them fast).
Budget
Peninsula Valdes entry: USD 15-20. Whale watching: USD 50-70. Punta Tombo: USD 40-60 (excursion). Sea lion diving: USD 60-80. A 3-4 day wildlife package from Puerto Madryn costs USD 200-350 per person.
