Peninsula Valdes is the big wildlife day from Puerto Madryn and one of the classic Patagonian excursions. The peninsula is a dry, wind-scoured world of gravel roads and sea cliffs, but its coasts are alive with southern right whales, elephant seals, sea lions, penguins, guanacos, rheas, and seabirds.
It is a long day, and distances inside the reserve are slow. Go with a full tank, food, water, and patience, or take a good tour that understands the seasonal movement of the animals. Puerto Piramides is the small settlement and whale-watching boat base on the peninsula.