girl sitting on her back watching the penguins on the hill of the Valdes Peninsula
penguin standing watching the sea at peninsula valdes
sea lions resting on the stones of the beach in the Valdes Peninsula.
adult guanaco with two calves looking straight ahead on the Valdes Peninsula
wooden platform with the flag of Argentina and people walking through the Peninsula Valdes reserve.
whale sighting coming out of the water in the valdes peninsula
people touching a horse on a wooden walkway on the peninsula valdes tour
penguins resting and walking on the beach of Peninsula Valdes on a cloudy day.
lonely and sunny beach on the valdes peninsula
people walking along the quay next to the cruise ship in Puerto Madryn
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Peninsula Valdes Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers

Peninsula Valdes Shore Excursion with wildlife viewing, adapted to Puerto Madryn cruises

(3 reviews)
Puerto Madryn
1 day
Spanish and English
Starts: From Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier (Puerto Madryn) upon your cruise arrival
Ends: To Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier (Puerto Madryn) 6 hours later
Free cancellation!

Briefing

The Peninsula Valdés shore excursion is an unforgettable experience designed especially for those arriving by cruise ship in Puerto Madryn. From the port, a local guide will welcome you and start an exclusive small-group tour to the impressive natural reserve. Throughout the day, you’ll discover unique landscapes, spot guanacos, maras, and rheas, and visit privileged viewpoints where you can observe Magellanic penguins, sea lions, and even orcas if luck is on your side. The tour includes transfers, a specialized guide, and a box lunch so you can enjoy the experience without worries. The Peninsula Valdés Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers is pure nature, wildlife, and panoramic views. Are you ready for this unique adventure during your cruise stop?

Tour details

Included

  • Pickup at the cruise port
  • Round-trip transfers
  • Bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
  • Box lunch
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Entrance to Peninsula Valdés Reserve
  • Tips

Important information

⏰ The departure time is approximate, as the tour begins once the cruise ship has arrived and passengers have disembarked.

When booking, you will see 7:30 AM as the indicated time in the calendar. Please note this is only a reference schedule, based on the arrival of most cruises. The actual departure will always be adjusted to your ship’s real arrival and departure times.

Please remember to provide your cruise’s arrival and departure times when completing the booking.

💳 Entrance to the Peninsula Valdés Reserve must be paid digitally. Cash is not accepted.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be given.

Tour itinerary

Peninsula Valdes Shore Excursion

Duration: 6 hours

Pickup at the port

The Peninsula Valdes tour for Cruise Travelers begins with a pickup at Muelle Comandante Luis Piedra Buena at the time of your cruise’s arrival. The guide will be waiting at the port entrance with a personalized sign. Once everyone is ready, the guide will hand out a bottle of water to each passenger, and you’ll board the vehicle.

grnade cruise ship arriving at Puerto Madryn pier

Journey and visit to the Interpretation Center

Begin the journey toward Peninsula Valdes, crossing unique Patagonian landscapes. Along the way, you may spot terrestrial wildlife such as guanacos, rheas, and maras. The first stop will be at the control post where you’ll need to purchase your entrance ticket.

Next, visit the Carlos Ameghino isthmus, from where you can view Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José. At the interpretation center, you’ll learn about the local flora and fauna and see a whale skeleton.

guanaco crossing the road to peninsula valdes

Peninsula Valdes Reserve

You will then reach the heart of Peninsula Valdes, where you will make the following main stops:

  • Penguin Viewpoint: Close observation of Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat.
  • Boca de la Caleta: A panoramic point where water enters the peninsula, perfect for photos.
  • Punta Cantor: Seaside viewpoints to spot sea elephants and, if lucky, orcas. It also serves as an operational unit for park rangers.
girl crouched down watching some penguins from close range

Lunch at Punta Cantor

At Punta Cantor, enjoy a box lunch and a bottle of water. You will also have time to relax and take in the surrounding nature.

Return to Puerto Madryn Pier

It’s time to start the return journey, but if time allows, you can make a brief stop at Puerto Pirámide to see its famous beach and sea lion colony. Additionally, if there’s extra time, a mini city tour of Puerto Madryn can be done before returning to the ship. Finally, the guide will drop you off at the port entrance with enough time to board without worries, ending the Peninsula Valdes shore excursion.

mumument in the port of Puerto Madryn next to the wharf

What to bring to Peninsula Valdes Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers tour

This excursion is specially designed for cruise passengers who disembark for the day and return on board after the activity. It also includes bottled water and a lunch box meal. For this reason, we recommend bringing only a small backpack with the essentials, such as:

  • Comfortable layered clothing (including a windbreaker or light jacket)
  • Closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on dirt paths
  • Sunscreen and a cap or hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera or fully charged phone
  • Cash in Argentine pesos for personal expenses
  • Digital payment method to pay the entrance fee to Peninsula Valdés Reserve

Where does the tour Peninsula Valdes Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers start

The tour starts at Muelle Comandante Luis Piedra Buena, the arrival point for cruise ships in Puerto Madryn. Upon disembarkation, the team will be waiting at the port entrance with a personalized sign so you can easily identify your guide.

You can arrive in two ways:

  • Walking, enjoying the city views from the pier.
  • Using the free shuttle, which departs directly from the ship.

This way, your excursion begins worry-free and ready for a unique experience in Peninsula Valdés.

Questions & Answers

  • How long is the Peninsula Valdes shore excursion?

    The excursion lasts approximately 6 hours, always adapted to the cruise schedule to ensure you return to the ship on time.

  • Is the tour exclusive for cruise passengers?

    Yes, transfers and organization are designed exclusively for those arriving in Puerto Madryn by cruise, in small, personalized groups.

  • Which animals can I see during the Peninsula Valdes shore excursion?

    Depending on the time of year, you may see Magellanic penguins, sea elephants, sea lions, guanacos, maras, rheas, and even orcas if you’re lucky.

  • What happens if my cruise arrives late or changes schedule?

    The tour is always adjusted to the cruise schedule. The local team monitors arrivals and will adapt the itinerary to ensure your return to the ship without any issues.

Peninsula Valdes Shore Excursion for Cruise Travelers tour reviews with Howlanders

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