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Whales in Peninsula Valdes

Whales in Peninsula Valdés: When to Go and What to Expect

Whale watching is one of the top experiences in Peninsula Valdés and Puerto Madryn, Argentina. These majestic creatures arrive seasonally, and knowing when to visit can make all the difference.

The first Southern Right Whales appear in June, and from that moment on, you can witness an incredible natural show. Mothers and calves swim just meters from the shore, especially at El Doradillo Beach. Early in the season (June to August), whales are seen near Puerto Madryn. From September to mid-December, the best spot becomes Puerto Pirámides, inside Peninsula Valdés.

Meet the Southern Right Whale

The Southern Right Whale is a baleen whale, but unlike others, it feeds by skimming krill directly through the water, not by filtering water with baleen plates.

These whales are curious, social, and gentle. They sometimes approach boats and kayaks, and they often interact with dolphins. They’re slow swimmers, moving at about 5–6 km/h.

Females become sexually mature at age 9 and give birth every 3–4 years.
The breeding season is from mid-July to August.
Mating involves complex social behavior, where multiple males may compete to mate with one female.
A calf weighs around 1,500 kg at birth, and pregnancies last over a year.

Quick Facts About Southern Right Whales

Lifespan: Around 50–60 years, possibly more.
Global population: About 10,000 individuals.
Main threats: Kelp gulls, which damage their skin, and orcas, especially for calves.
Best places to see them: El Doradillo Beach and Puerto Pirámides.

High Season vs. Low Season

The whale season in Peninsula Valdés runs from June to mid-December, but the experience varies depending on the month:

June to September: Whales stay in Golfo Nuevo, close to Puerto Madryn and El Doradillo Beach. This is the best time to see mothers and calves from the shore.
Late September to mid-December: Whales move to Golfo San José, making Puerto Pirámides the top location for sightings, especially from boat tours.

Why Peninsula Valdés Is So Important

In 1999, Peninsula Valdés was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional biodiversity.

You can find:

Southern right whales
Magellanic penguins
Sea lions and elephant seals
Orcas with unique hunting strategies
And much more…

The area is home to one of the most important breeding populations of whales in the world, making it a vital spot for marine conservation.

What Else Can You See in Peninsula Valdés?

Whales may be the stars, but the region is teeming with other wildlife:

Penguins (Sep–Mar)
Sea lions & elephant seals (year-round)
Commerson’s dolphins
Birds of all kinds
Orcas (March–April and Oct–Nov)
Land animals like foxes, maras, guanacos, and rheas

Main wildlife locations:

Punta Norte
Punta Delgada
Caleta Valdés
Puerto Pirámides
Estancia San Lorenzo (for penguins)

How’s the Weather in Peninsula Valdés?

Summer (Nov–Feb): Warmest time with highs up to 27°C (80.6°F).
Winter (Jun–Aug): Lows down to 2–3°C (35.6°F).
Rain: Rare. The region is dry most of the year, unlike the Andes area.
Tip: Even in summer, bring a jacket—Patagonian weather changes quickly.

Summary

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Madryn or Peninsula Valdés, time your visit between June and December to see whales at their best. Whether you’re on the beach or a boat, this experience is unforgettable.

Whales in Doradillo Beach

See whales and carves in Doradillo Beach, a local beach close to Puerto Madryn, Argentina; and enjoy this unique experience in the province of Chubut!

More activities and excursions in Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes, in Chubut Province?

If you want to see more options of activities and excursions in Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes, to see whales, penguins, birds, sea lions, elephant seals, foxes, orcas, birds… Check our complete list of activities to enjoy Peninsula Valdes, Argentina.

WHALES: When to go to Peninsula Valdés, Chubut? High Season and Low Season

Well, the first thing you need to know is that during the entire whale season, it’s possible to see these incredible animals along the coastline or with just a short boat trip. But when is the high season for whale watching, and when is the best time to see them?

Let’s start with the local beaches near Puerto Madryn, where you can see mothers with their calves — amazing, right? The general high season to enjoy whales in Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdés runs from the beginning of June until mid-December.

It’s a long season, but there are different periods that are important to keep in mind. Why? Because sometimes the whales are easier to see from Puerto Madryn and its nearby beaches, while at other times it’s better to visit Puerto Pirámides, located in Peninsula Valdés — a wonderful marine and natural environment with some of the world’s most unique wildlife.

Whales in Doradillo, Puerto Pirámides. When is the high season and when the low season?

So, when and where can you see whales? Here’s what to keep in mind:

June to September: The Southern Right Whales prefer to stay in the southern bay, called Golfo Nuevo. This is the best time to watch them from Puerto Madryn and beaches like El Doradillo, where mother whales and their calves can be seen just a few meters from the shore.
Late September to mid-December: The whales move to the northern gulf, and sightings are much better from Peninsula Valdés. Puerto Pirámides becomes the ideal place to observe them, especially with boat tours.

Peninsula Valdés: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Peninsula Valdés and its incredible marine mammals make this place truly unique. It is a site of global importance for the conservation of marine life. Here you’ll find:

Endangered Southern Right Whales
Southern elephant seals
Southern sea lions
Magellanic penguins
Orcas, which have developed a unique hunting strategy adapted to local coastal conditions

Because of this, Peninsula Valdés was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Want more info about orcas? Check out our Orca Watching Activity in Valdés Peninsula!

More Wildlife in Peninsula Valdés

Yes, there are whales — but also so much more. Along the shores and inland, you may also see:

Magellanic penguins
Sea lions (year-round)
Elephant seals
Commerson’s dolphins
Birds (a wide variety)
Orcas (especially near Punta Norte)
Foxes, maras, guanacos, ñandúes

Key wildlife hotspots in the area:

Punta Delgada
Caleta Valdés
Punta Norte
Golfo Nuevo
Golfo San Matías
Istmo Ameghino
Puerto Pirámides
Punta Pardelas
Estancia San Lorenzo (ideal for seeing penguins)

For more options, check out our Travel Guide for Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdés.

Climate. How is the weather in Valdés Peninsula?

Let’s talk weather. Here’s what you need to know:

Summer (November to February): Warmest months with average highs around 27°C (80.6°F)
Winter (July and August): Coldest months with lows around 2–3°C (35.6°F)

But keep in mind — this is Patagonia. Weather can change quickly. Fortunately, the marine influence helps moderate extremes, so temperatures don’t go over 27°C or below 2°C on average.

Is it a rainy region?

Not at all. Unlike other Patagonian regions near the Andes, Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdés are dry, with very few rainy days throughout the year.

Want more detailed weather info? Visit our Weather in Valdés Peninsula section.

Whale Watching activities in Peninsula Valdes

Enjoy a full-day visit to Peninsula Valdes and see the whales from a boat between June and middle December!

Whale watching in Peninsula Valdes aboard the Yellow Submarine

Another great whale watching is the semi-submersible called Yellow Submarine. Book a wonderful whale watching aboard Yellow Submarine!

Are you looking for tours in Patagonia including the amazing wildlife in Puerto Piramides and Peninsula Valdes, Chubut?

We have many great options, tours to visit Peninsula Valdes, combined with other great destinations in Patagonia like Ushuaia, or El Calafate, El Chalten, and Bariloche. And of course Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Salta, Mendoza, or any great destinations in Chile like Torres del Paine National Park or Puerto Varas and the lakes district. One of my favorites is the following. The best season to combine Peninsula Valdes and other destinations in Patagonia is between September and middle December, because you still have whales in the area of Valdes Peninsula. One of my favorite tours is the 101 – Visiting Patagonia Tour with 12 nights