Scuba Diving in Argentina from the Valdes Peninsula

Scuba Diving in Argentina from the Valdes Peninsula

Argentina is a land of contrast with a vast range of habitats both terrestrial and aquatic to keep nature enthusiasts enthralled. Scuba diving in Argentina has grown in recent years especially in the coastal waters of Patagonia. Recently a client of ours went scuba diving off the coast of the Valdes Peninsula, near Puerto Madryn in the province of Chubut in Patagonian Argentina.

The waters of the Gulfo Nuevo teem with marine mammals, most famously orcas and southern right whales, the latter converging in huge numbers annually to breed making it a great place to go whale watching. But this is also a great dive location. Whilst submerged in the waters of the Golfo Nuevo our clients were visited by a group of playful sea lions. The curious animals got up close and personal with the team and are known to regularly interact with divers. It is also possible to see gigantic southern right whales underwater during their breeding season.

When to Go Scuba Diving in Argentina:

Puerto Madryn is serviced by the Trelew Airport, a 2-hour flight from Buenos Aires. From there it is a  30-minute bus ride to the city. It is a small, coastal city that attracts visitors from all over Argentina and indeed the World. Here, on the edge of the Golfo Nuevo huge numbers of whales converge from May to November each year. There are lots of great hotels and restaurants to choose from and there are dive operators and rental shops dotted along the beachfront who will take scuba enthusiasts out into the bay daily.

I recommend diving in October or November when the waters are warmer but the whales are still around. There are coral reefs, a protected bay, and aside from the whales and sea lions other marine fauna such as elephant seals, fur seals, and Magellanic penguins. There are also a number of shipwrecks that have formed mini-ecosystems over time and act as great dive sites. If considering scuba diving in Argentina I would make this your top destination.

Scuba Diving in the Peninsula Valdez:

The Valdes Peninsula has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site, this gives the area worthy prestige! The number of whales visible in the bay is staggering with upwards of 2,700 converging in its waters annually. Visitors are delighted by their acrobatic displays and its heartwarming to see mothers nurturing newly born calves.

If you’re interested in scuba diving in Argentina, or even if you don’t want to “get your feet wet” and would rather a more traditional animal watching tour then Puerto Madryn is a great place to visit. You can also make it your first stop on a custom Patagonia tour. Our Travel Consultants will be happy to help you create a personalized trip to Argentina’s Valdes Peninsula for you. Check out our Valdes Peninsula itineraries, and if you want to customize it in any way, just get in touch and we’ll create a tour made just for you.

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