ARGENTINA - Atlantic Coast

Peninsula Valdes is one of the most important wildlife reserves in Argentina and is a major breeding ground for southern right whales, elephant seals and sea lions. Dolphins can sometimes be seen playingnear the shore.  It is also a nesting site for thousands of shore birds including cormorants, pelicans and oystercatchers. Inland, there are guanacos, rheas and maras.

The areas main attraction is definitely the whale watching excursions. These trips are usually made from Puerto Piramide which was once a major centre for trading in whaling and trading in seal skins.  Nowadays, the area is protected by an international treaty and the whale population has slowing recovered to about 2,000. The area becomes a breeding ground from around July and the whales will usually stay until mid-December. Before heading out on one of the few organised boats, you will be decked in life-jacket and waterproofs. This is an excellent trip although the boats are usually quite crowded and you will need patience as everyone always wants to be in the prime viewing position. The sea can be quite rough and you will definately get splashed. This makes photography quite a challenge - but very rewarding, so take protective bags for your equipment.

Very south lies Punta Tomba - the largest single colony of penguins on the continent with a population of over one million birds. These are black and white Magallenic Penguins which are smaller and perhaps less glamourous than the king and emperor penguins.  Nevertheless, this is a truly amazing sight and you are free to wander among the penguins as they go about their daily business.  They are completely unafraid of human visitors and make their nests in scrapes underneath the bushes from where they watch you approach. But don’t be tempted to touch as they can easily give you a nasty bite if provoked. The season is anytime between August and early April (although November is probably the best time as this is usually the time when the young chicks arrive. 

This is also the area of Patagonia where Welsh settlers established the first settlements in 1865. The area still has reminders of this history and Welsh is still spoken in some of the towns.  The main tourist activity connected with this heritage is a visit to one of the many tea houses in and around Gaiman where you will be welcomed with tea served in a china teapot together with a splendid selection of cakes, scones and jam.

All Photographs and Text © Stuart M Melvin