Coast of Chubut, Patagonia
Whale watching, Península Valdés, UNESCO World Heritage Site
A full day excursion to Península Valdés situated across the Bahía Nueva from Puerto Madryn. The peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its biodiversity and for its Southern Wright Whales, the principal attraction. During the day, you will be guided to other part of the peninsula, including Caleta Valdés to see another spectacular animal, the Southern Elephant Seal. Other creatures that you may come across during the day are sea lions, guanacos, armadillos, rheas, foxes, vultures, maras (a Patagonian hare) and many birds of all colours.
Magellan Penguin Rookery, Punta Tombo
Punta Tombo is the largest Magellan penguin rookery in the world located to the south of Trelew. The excursion presents a unique opportunity to become part of a community of over one million Magellan penguins. Walk amongst these small likeable birds, observe their activities, their funny walks and the way they tend to their nests and care for their chicks amidst the shrub.
Puerto Madryn
The first Welsh colonisers disembarked the Mimosa near Punta Cuevas on the 28 July 1865. The place was named after Love Jones-Parry, the Baron of Madryn in Wales, who accompanied Lewis Jones on an initial survey of the region in 1863. The Welsh journeyed south to Rawson after an initial period in Puerto Madryn in order to settle in the Chubut river valley. By 1886, a railway was built that connected the agricultural area in the Chubut valley with Bahía Nueva, the principal port of the colony. The city of Puerto Madryn grew around the Bahía Nueva end of the railway. Puerto Madryn was twinned with the town of Nefyn in Wales in 1998.
Amongst the Welsh attractions of the city is a historical museum called Museo del Disembarco. The museum is near the caves of Punta Cuevas that were used by the Mimosa settlers temporarily upon arrival. The museum interprets the early days of the settlers in Puerto Madryn. Another attraction is the Welsh Lady, a monument to the Welsh colonisers that was raised in 1965 during the centenary celebrations. There is also a monument to the indigenous Tehuelche natives who befriended the Welsh colonisers. Other worthy attractions are the Eco-centro with its varied exhibitions of sea-life, and a natural science museum at Chalet Pujol.
Commerson Dolphin Sea Excursion, Puerto Rawson
There are not many places in the world from where it is possible to see this small black and white dolphin in its natural environment. Playa Unión, a beach adjacent to the estuary of the Chubut river, is one of these places. The Commerson dolphin usually stays close to the coast and sometimes within a few metres from the shore. You can see these dolphins by taking a journey in fast boats driven by professionals who possess the skills that ensure your safety at all times during the sea excursion. You will receive an unforgettable experience with the Commerson dolphins while enjoying the views of the astonishing coastlines of Patagonia.
