September marks the height of southern right whale season at Península Valdés, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Argentina’s Chubut province. The whales arrive in the calm waters of the Golfo Nuevo from late June; by September, mothers with calves are at peak activity, and sightings during boat tours are virtually guaranteed.
Where to Go
Puerto Pirámides is the only village on the Valdés Peninsula and the departure point for all licensed whale watching boat tours. It’s a small, low-key settlement with a handful of hotels and hostels — book ahead in September as it fills quickly. Tours depart from the town’s small pier and typically last 90–120 minutes; operators include Hydrosport, Tito Bottazzi, and Jorge Schmid, all of which run multiple daily departures.
El Doradillo is a beach on the Golfo Nuevo north of Puerto Madryn where whales come within metres of the shoreline to scratch themselves on the sandy bottom. No boats, no tickets — just walk down to the beach. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can reliably watch large whales from the shore for free. Best at high tide.
Other Wildlife in Season
September at Valdés isn’t only about whales. Additional species in residence:
- Magellanic penguins: The Caleta Valdés colony on the Atlantic coast starts filling from early September. Numbers peak in October, but September visits are well worthwhile.
- Patagonian elephant seals: Present year-round at Punta Delgada and Caleta Valdés; September falls within their moulting period.
- Orcas: Punta Norte on the northern tip of the peninsula is the site of the famous intentional stranding behaviour. Peak orca activity is late February–April for sea lions, but individual sightings occur throughout the year.
How to Get There
Puerto Madryn is the gateway city — it has an airport (El Tehuelche, PMY) with daily flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque on Aerolíneas Argentinas, and frequent bus connections from Buenos Aires on the long-distance network (18–20 hours).
From Puerto Madryn, Puerto Pirámides is 95 km northeast on a mostly paved road. Rental cars are available in Puerto Madryn; there’s also a limited bus service (Mar y Valle) that runs to Puerto Pirámides twice daily in peak season. For the full Valdés experience — including Punta Norte, Caleta Valdés, and Punta Delgada in a single day — a private vehicle or organised tour from Puerto Madryn makes more sense than public transport.
For boat tour booking and seasonal availability at Puerto Pirámides, see our dedicated whale watching guide for Península Valdés. For guided tours and wildlife excursions from Puerto Madryn, browse Puerto Madryn tours and activities.