Clean Cruising

Cruises visiting Puerto Madryn & all Puerto Madryn cruises for 2013 - 2014

Puerto Madryn is a city in the province of Chubut, one of the most sheltered places on the Patagonian coast of Argentina. The town, founded in 1865, by 150 Welsh immigrants, has become an important tourist centre because, in this coastal city, with its delightful warm summers and moderate winters, it is 'high season' all year round. It is a popular resort destination for its beaches, and sports ranging from bicycling and fishing to surfing on the sand. Just 50km away is the the delightful attraction of the Valdes Peninsula Nature Reserve, a UNESCO heritage site. It is a natural sanctuary with a great variety of bird-life and marine-life, and offers visitors the opportunity to view the Southern Right Whale at close quarters. Also popular with visitors are excursions to explore the slopes of the Patagonian Plateau, and a ‘must see’ would be the largest penguin rookery in the world. Other options vary from easygoing strolls along the beach-front boulevard that overlooks the huge natural amphitheatre of Nuevo Gulf, as well as the opportunity to visit shops and restaurants.

Close at hand is Punta Cuevas, the place of the first settlement, where its ruins can still be observed. In town, be sure to climb the promontory to the Tehche monument for a panoramic view of the city and environs, and tour the Ecocentro to learn about Patagonian marine ecosystems. Also of great interest to many is the Provincial Oceanographic, a museum that focuses on marine life and is housed in a lovely 1917 colonial building. Then, if time permits, there’s the Natural Sciences Museum and the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum for some amazing fossilised fauna and flora exhibits. For those who simply wish to relax, the protected waters of the gulf offer good swimming at pleasant beaches.

Puerto Madryn is considered Argentina’s scuba diving capital. To further boost interest in scuba diving town officials recently sank the Albatros, a large fishing vessel, off the coast in Golfo Nuevo. Several scuba shops rent equipment and arrange dives of the Albatros, Puerto Piramides, and other spots. Winter is a good time for travellers to learn about the great underwater world, especially when accompanied by a professional diver. After all, Puetro Madryn is Argentina's National Diving Capital. Also during winter different cultural and sporting events are organised in which tourists often participate.