Just a few steps from the city center of Puerto Madryn is the long and curving Puerto Madryn Beach. Locals and tourists descend upon the golden sands to participate in recreational activities and savor the magnificent views. Visit Puerto Madryn Beach to marvel at glorious sunrises, spot majestic sea life and relax at the balnearios (beach clubs).
Amble along the wide stretch of sand or the waterfront promenade. Gaze longingly over the calm water of the Golfo Nuevo. A pier juts out into the water toward the northern end of the beach and presents additional stunning views. Arrive early in the morning to watch as the sun turns the sky into soft shades of orange and red.
Join the sun worshippers who come to enhance their tans during the warmer months of December through March. Swimming is safe here, although water temperatures are often cold. Find facilities such as changing rooms, children’s play areas and restaurants at the many balnearios. Some charge admission fees while others are free to enter. Note the rows of tents, which are typical of Argentina’s Atlantic coastline beach resorts.
Puerto Madryn is famous as a natural habitat for huge quantities of ocean life. See southern right whales from June to mid December, dolphins from September to December and sea elephants and sea lions year-round. These can often be seen from the beach’s pier. El Doradillo Beach, a 20-minute drive north, is one of the best whale-watching locations in Argentina.
Catch a boat from the pier or walk south for under an hour to Punta Cuevas Historical Park. This is where the first Welsh settlers arrived in Patagonia in 1865. They set up temporary shelters inside the natural caves of the headland before establishing their first permanent settlement, called Rawson.
Reach Puerto Madryn Beach easily on foot from many of the city’s major hostels and hotels. Parking is available on the beach road.
