Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tours
Patagonia Explorers
KAYAKING
( 0280-15-434-0618;
www.patagoniaexplorers.com
; Av de las Ballenas; 2hr kayak trip AR$380)
This band of brothers (and sister) offer top-notch guided hikes and sea-kayaking trips. A
new three-day trip on the Golfo San José includes paddling with sea lions and lots of
wildlife-watching and wilderness camping. There's also full moon and sunset options.
Check the website or drop by its office for more information.
Patagonia Scuba
DIVING
( 0280-15-457-8779;
www.patagonia-scuba.com.ar
; Av de las Ballenas s/n; diving baptism
AR$400)
A reputable PADI-certified outfitter offering diving trips and snorkeling with sea
lions (AR$800). The best water visibility is in August. Check its Facebook page.
Whale-Watching Tours
This is the place to glimpse spy-hopping, breaching and tailing cetaceans on a
whale-
watching excursion
(adult/child AR$470/235)
, arranged in Puerto Madryn or Puerto
Pirámides. The standard trip lasts 1½ hours, but longer excursions are available.
When choosing a tour, check what kind of boat will be used: smaller, Zodiac-style in-
flatable rafts offer more intimacy but may be less comfortable. By law, outfitters are not
allowed within 100m of whales without cutting the motor, nor allowed to pursue them.
Check your outfitter's policies. When the port is closed due to bad weather, tour book-
ings are usually honored the following day (although these days are more crowded). Out-
side of whale-watching season (June to December), boat trips aren't worthwhile unless
you adore sea lions and shorebirds.
Bottazzi
WHALE-WATCHING
( 449-5050;
www.titobottazzi.com
; 1era Bajada)
A recommended family business in its
second generation and the only company with its own agency in Puerto Madryn. More
personalized sunset cruises feature a smaller boat.
Southern Spirit
WHALE-WATCHING
( 449-5094;
www.southernspirit.com.ar
;
1era Bajada)
A reputable outfitter, with plans in the
works to bring something truly unique to whale-watching: underwater viewing. The
semi-submergeable, custom-built
Yellow Submarine
with underwater windows is sure to
provide a different perspective for 35 to 40 passengers.
