Peninsula Valdes

Peninsula Valdes, jutting into the Atlantic on the coast of Patagonia, is one of the world's great wildlife havens, a UNESCO nature reserve of wild, windswept shores and lagoons. It is most famous as a breeding ground for southern right whales, which gather close to shore from winter to spring, and for the orcas that hunt sea lion pups on the beaches, alongside colonies of elephant seals, sea lions, penguins and abundant birds.

What's there

• The southern right whales - the whales gathering off the coast in season.
• The orcas - the famous killer whales that beach to hunt seal pups.
• The sea lion and elephant seal colonies - the beaches of basking pinnipeds.
• The penguins and birds - the Magellanic penguin colonies and birdlife.

When to go

The whale season runs roughly June to December, peaking around September to November, when southern right whales come close to shore; the dramatic orca beach hunts happen mainly around March and April, and penguins are present in the warmer months.

What to expect

The star wildlife is seasonal, so timing matters: whales in the cooler months, orcas and penguins at other times, so decide what you want to see. It is a large reserve reached from Puerto Madryn, needing a car or tour and a full day. The famous orca hunts are rare and never guaranteed. It is windy and exposed.

Nearby

Puerto Madryn is the base; the Welsh valley towns of Patagonia are nearby.

Key facts