Punta Bermeja

Punta Bermeja, called La Lobería by everyone locally, is a stretch of shore below reddish cliffs where South American sea lions haul out in the thousands, one of the largest permanent colonies on the Argentine coast and occupied all year rather than seasonally. A path and stairway lead from the small interpretation centre on the clifftop down toward viewpoints above the beach, close enough to hear the constant roaring and smell the colony, but kept at a distance that does not disturb the animals. Bulls hold territories through the summer breeding season, when pups are born and the beach is at its noisiest. Cormorants nest on the cliffs, and whales, dolphins and orcas pass offshore at times.

What you actually see

• The sea lion colony - thousands of animals on the beach below the cliffs.
• The clifftop viewpoints - the stairway and platforms above the haul-out.
• The breeding season - territorial bulls and pups in summer.
• The seabirds - cormorants and gulls nesting on the cliff faces.

When to go

October to April; the breeding season around December and January is the most active and loudest. Sea lions are present year-round, so a winter visit still works if the weather allows. Wind on the cliff is strong most days.

Honest expectations

Facilities are minimal and the site is unstaffed at times. The smell from the colony is powerful and the noise constant. Approaching the animals on the beach is prohibited and dangerous, and viewing is from above at a distance, so binoculars help.

Nearby

El Cóndor and its parrot colony lie north; Viedma is the base town.