Weather in Puerto Madryn

About Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is the gateway to Patagonia's pinnacle predator experiences—penguins, whales, and sea lions congregate in these cold Atlantic waters during breeding season. The Valdes Peninsula is a UNESCO site where marine megafauna breed and live in protected abundance. The town itself is a working fishing port, not a resort, giving it authentic character.

Country

Argentina

Best months to visit

January, February, March, April, November, December

Currency

ARS

Language

Spanish

Things to do in Puerto Madryn

Valdes Peninsula full-day expedition: whale, penguin, wildlife Punta Tombo penguin colony: 500,000 breeding birds visit Whale watching season excursions: humpback and right whales Sea lion colony viewpoint and marine mammal tour Scuba diving in cold Antarctic waters: kelp forest exploration Golfo San José dolphin spotting and boat tour

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

28C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

27C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

March

25C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

April

20C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

May

16C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

June

12C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

July

12C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

August

15C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

September

17C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

October

20C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

November

24C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

December

27C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Puerto Madryn is the gateway to Peninsula Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage site where southern right whales come to breed within sight of the shore, sea lions and elephant seals haul out on the beaches, and Magellanic penguins nest in their thousands. The town itself is a low-key Patagonian seaside base, but the wildlife just up the coast is some of the most accessible and abundant in South America.

Best areas to stay in Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn town centre

The seafront town with most hotels, restaurants and tour operators, set along a long curving bay.

Playa El Doradillo

A beach just north of town where southern right whales can sometimes be seen from the shore during the season.

Peninsula Valdés

The UNESCO-listed wildlife reserve a couple of hours away, home to whales, sea lions, elephant seals and penguins.

Punta Tombo

A large Magellanic penguin colony south of Puerto Madryn, visited as a half- or full-day trip.

Getting to Puerto Madryn

✈

Flights

Fly into Trelew airport (REL), about an hour from Puerto Madryn, with connections via Buenos Aires.

⏱

From London

~2 hours by air from Buenos Aires to Trelew, plus a road transfer; allow 20+ hours total travel from the UK.

🚕

Getting around

Puerto Madryn town is walkable; organised tours or rental cars are needed to reach Peninsula Valdés and Punta Tombo.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Puerto Madryn?

June to December is whale-watching season, peaking from September to November when southern right whales gather close to shore at Peninsula Valdés.

What wildlife can you see at Peninsula Valdés?

Southern right whales (seasonal), sea lions, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins and guanacos, often visible from short walks or vehicle tours around the peninsula.

Do you need a tour to visit Peninsula Valdés?

Most visitors join an organised day tour from Puerto Madryn, as distances are large and a guide helps spot wildlife; self-driving is possible but requires planning around park rules.

How do you get to Puerto Madryn?

Fly into nearby Trelew airport (about an hour away) from Buenos Aires, or take a long-distance bus along the Patagonian coast.

Is Puerto Madryn good for swimming?

The town has a long sandy bay used for swimming and watersports in summer, though the water stays cool even in the warmer months.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Saw a southern right whale breach right offshore from Playa El Doradillo, no boat needed. Peninsula Valdés the next day was incredible for sea lions and penguins too.

Lucia D. · October 2023

★★★★★

The scale of wildlife at Peninsula Valdés surprised me — elephant seals, sea lions and whales all within one long day tour.

Andrew P. · September 2024

★★★★☆

Whale season had just ended by the time we visited but the penguins at Punta Tombo more than made up for it. Lots of walking, wear good shoes.

Renata B. · December 2023