The first southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) have already been sighted in the waters of Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José — two sheltered bays on the Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Patagonia where these whales come to breed and nurse their young. While recreational diving with whales is not permitted within the protected area, the season coincides with the best visibility of the year in Puerto Madryn.
Local dive operators are reporting early bookings for June through October. Combined dive-plus-whale-watching excursions — with coastal viewing from land — remain the most popular option.