All year long
Elephant seals, South American sea lions, killer whales (orcas) and many bird species typical of Patagonia.
The beaches along the foot of the cliffs extending from the end of El Pedral up to Punta Ninfas’ lighthouse are the habitat of an important elephant seals’ rookery. Around mid September, the male elephant seals come to these shores to mark their territory. Later on, there will come the time when they will make up their harems. They can be observed all along the year in small groups. Remember, we only open from 15th September till 15th April.
June to December
Southern right whales
El Pedral is a peculiar geological formation of 900 m in width and 8 m in depth, unique in the Patagonian coast. In times of whale season, sitting on the beach is enough to enjoy the incredible spectacle offered by the southern right whale. Due to the deepness of these waters, whales dare to get very close to the beach. The best show seen is during August and September, as it is the season when couples mate and calves are born. Certainly, the aerial views are another display not to be missed. Surrounded by 60 m cliffs, from El Pedral you can watch the magnitude of the Golfo Nuevo and the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, waiting for the whales to come closer to the shore. It is undoubtedly magic.
September to April
Magellanic penguins
El Pedral’s colony initiated in 2009, 5 km from the house of the farmhouse. It has grown rapidly and covered almost 2 km of the beach. The development of the colony is due to the fact that food is only 16 km in average, against the 150 km that other colonies must travel to get to it, such as Punta Tombo. Since 2014, it is a member of the ‘Biosphere Reserve of the Península Valdés declared by the UNESCO’.
The Global Penguin Society is an international coalition committed to the survival and protection of all the penguins’ species in the world and their habitats, through science, management and education.
Besides, it is in charge of monitoring El Pedral’s colony.
Our joint work and mission consists in:
- Assuring the protection of the shore and land environments of El Pedral.
- Fostering the growth of penguin’s populations, together with the settlement of other sea mammals.
- Developing the tourist activity in order to maintain the attractions of the area and keep this product apart from other colonies open to the public.
- Promoting the area, stimulating the respect for the qualities that gave ground to its designation as a Wildlife Reserve.
- Fostering the scientific research and educational activities associated to the sustainable management of the resources.
