Birding Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn · Patagonia

Península Valdés Birding Tour

A full day of private birding in Península Valdés: steppe, salt flats and sea cliffs, with a bilingual ornithologist and departure from Puerto Madryn.

Full day

Seabird in flight during coastal birding around Península Valdés

Coastal birding around Península Valdés

Lesser Rheas on the Patagonian steppe

Magellanic Penguins and coastal birding

Imperial Cormorants along the Valdés coast

Elegant Crested-Tinamou in open steppe

Brown-hooded Gull in coastal wetlands

Raptors and open-country habitats

Dry-country specialties in Valdés habitats

Patagonian Mara in the steppe

Guanaco in Patagonian steppe

Dolphin Gull and coastal specialties

Magellanic Oystercatcher on the shore

Included in your day

  • Round‑trip transportation
  • Bilingual ornithologist guide
  • Snacks & drinks
  • Protected‑area entrance fee

What to expect

A full day

We leave from Puerto Madryn and return at the end of the day, combining drives between habitats with stops to watch birds.

A route for your interests

Timings, stops and walks vary with your interests and the conditions on the day. Tell us your target birds and preferred pace.

Is this the right outing for you?

Choose Valdés for a full day combining steppe, salt-flat and coastal birds. For Argentine endemics and dry-country specialties, see our Monte and steppe outings. If you arrive by cruise ship, explore the birding shore excursion planned around your port call.

Guest observing a colony of Magellanic Cormorants (Rock Shags)
Observing a colony of Magellanic Cormorants (Rock Shags).

Your day in the field

Among the native bushes we search for monte specialties such as Patagonian Canastero, White-throated Cacholote, Patagonian Mockingbird, Carbonated Sierra Finch, plus earthcreepers and tyrants among several others.

Imperial Cormorants on the coast near Península Valdés

In the steppe, we watch for Elegant Crested-Tinamou along the road. At Punta Pirámide, coastal stops near the sea lion colony can include Snowy Sheathbill, Dolphin Gull, Rock and Imperial Cormorants, terns, gulls, and Blackish and American Oystercatchers.

Lesser Rheas in the open steppe of Península Valdés

We continue across salt flats and lowlands for Two-banded Plover, Cinereous Harrier and, with luck, Lesser Rhea, Darwin’s Nothura, Rusty-backed Monjita, seedsnipe and Tawny-throated Dotterel. We may also see guanacos, foxes, armadillos and Patagonian Maras along the route.

Magellanic Penguin on the coast of Península Valdés

At Punta Cantor–Caleta Valdés, we look for Magellanic Penguins, Southern Elephant Seals and coastal birds. Orca sightings depend on the season and conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Southern Right Whale breaching, with its body and flippers above the water
Southern Right Whale · Photograph by Agustín Esmoris, June 2026.

Optional (Jun–Dec): a whale‑watching boat trip for Southern Right Whale can be added from Puerto Pirámides.

We return to Puerto Madryn at the end of the day.

Wildlife calendar
Month
Birds
Birds
Southern Right Whale
Southern Right Whale
Southern Elephant Seal
Southern Elephant Seal
Magellanic Penguin
Magellanic Penguin
South American Sea Lion
South American Sea Lion
Orca
Orca
Guanaco
Guanaco
Lesser Rhea
Lesser Rhea
Patagonian Mara
Patagonian Mara
Gray Fox
Gray Fox
Big Hairy Armadillo
Big Hairy Armadillo
Patagonian Cavy
Patagonian Cavy
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Let’s plan your birding day

Tell us your dates, group size and target birds. We’ll reply with a proposal for your group.

Check availability
Booking and cancellation terms

By booking or participating in an activity with Birding Puerto Madryn, the passenger and, where applicable, the agency, hotel or operator requesting the booking accept these terms.

1. Confirmation and deposit

An enquiry, availability request or quotation does not hold space or resources. A booking is confirmed only when the stated deposit has been received and Birding Puerto Madryn confirms receipt. For agencies, hotels and other intermediaries, a booking may also be confirmed in writing under a previously accepted credit agreement.

The standard deposit is at least 20% of the total price and is credited toward the balance. If specific advance and non-recoverable third-party commitments exceed that amount, the proposal may require a higher deposit and must state it expressly before confirmation.

2. Balance payment

Unless the proposal states a different deadline, the balance must be received at least 48 hours before the start of the service. Bookings made within that period require full payment. Failure to pay on time may be treated as a cancellation by the contracting party.

3. Cancellations and no-shows

Except where a statutory withdrawal right or a special condition expressly stated in the proposal or product applies:

  • Cancellation more than 48 hours before the service: 20% of the total price.
  • Cancellation within 48 hours, on the day of the service, or no-show: 100% of the total price.

Amounts already paid are credited against the applicable fee; two penalties are not added for the same event. Changes of date, passenger numbers or service are subject to availability and any non-recoverable costs already incurred.

4. Bookings requested by agencies, hotels or other intermediaries

The same terms apply unless a different written agreement is in place. Without a received deposit or a written credit confirmation, there is no firm booking. An intermediary contracting in its own name is responsible for cancellation amounts and must disclose these terms to its passengers before confirming.

5. Operational changes or cancellations

Because of weather, tides, road conditions, closures, authority instructions, safety or other reasonable circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary may be modified or rescheduled. Operational adjustments that do not substantially alter the service do not entitle the customer to a refund. If Birding Puerto Madryn cancels the entire service and cannot offer a reasonable alternative within the dates provided, all amounts paid for the unprovided service will be refunded.

When a separable component is operated by a third party, its cancellation will result in the alternative, credit or refund applicable to that component under the proposal and applicable rights. A special condition published for a product — for example, a cruise excursion when the ship does not dock — prevails only for that circumstance.

6. Wildlife, safety and scope

Wildlife is free-ranging and its presence, proximity or behavior cannot be guaranteed; lack of sightings is not grounds for a refund. The booking includes only what is listed in the proposal or voucher. Participants must follow the guide's instructions and are responsible for their belongings. Appropriate travel assistance or insurance is recommended.

7. Mandatory rights

Nothing in these terms limits non-waivable rights under applicable law. For distance contracts with consumers, the statutory withdrawal right applies within the legal period; for tourism services on a fixed date it must also be exercised with the minimum notice required by current law. This consumer regime does not apply to purchases made for resale or integration into services supplied to third parties.