Prime Wildlife Viewing Destinations in Patagonia
Nearly the entire Patagonian coastline abounds in wildlife, with elephant seals, penguins, sea lions, and birds. These are the destinations for prime wildlife viewing.
Península Valdés
On Argentina’s Atlantic coast, the Península Valdés is a World Heritage Site famous for southern right whales, which breed and birth here during the winter months. Yet at different seasons, there are also orcas, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins, and sea lions, while grazing guanacos and sprinting rheas roam the interior grasslands.
Área Natural Protegida Punta Tombo
The South American continent’s largest single Magellanic penguin colony is a top destination for penguin watchers. (A quarter million pairs come ashore each spring to nest!) In addition, giant petrels, kelp and dolphin gulls, king and rock cormorants, oystercatchers, and steamer ducks all breed here.
Parque Interjurisdiccional Marino Costero Patagonia Austral
In Chubut province, this new park consists of a wildlife-rich coastal strip, including islands like Isla Pingüino, that extends from Camarones to Cabo dos Bahías, with an easy access point and accommodations at Bahía Bustamante. Expect to see Magellanic penguins, cormorants, and sea lions.
Parque Marino Francisco Coloane
One of Chile’s first maritime reserves, this park was created to investigate the southern humpback whale’s feeding grounds. Orcas, Magellanic penguins, sea lions, cormorants, and many other southern seabirds populate the 67,000-hectare park.
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are rich with elephant seals, fur seals, sea lions, and massive nesting colonies of penguins (five or sometimes more species), black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, and many unusual smaller birds. Prime destinations include Volunteer Point and wildlife lodges at Carcass Island, Pebble Island, Sea Lion Island, and Saunders Island. Whales can be found offshore near Saunders February-May.
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by Wayne Bernhardson
Patagonia’s staggering landscapes, titanic glaciers, and rugged mountains evoke mystery and inspire self-discovery.