Hi there! This is Santiago, co-founder of Beyond BA Latam.
As some of you may know, I’m from Argentina and I’m passionate about exploring my country — especially its wildlife. Argentina and Chile are home to an extraordinary range of animals: penguins, whales, orcas, pumas, sea elephants, sea lions, condors, foxes, jaguars, capybaras, caimans, snakes, and countless birds (among other species). They inhabit different regions, each with its own character and chances of spotting them in the wild.
Today, I’d like to share some of my favorite wildlife encounters in Patagonia — real moments that made me fall in love even more with this part of the world.
Southern Right Whales at Las Canteras Beach
The area around Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdés, in northern Patagonia, is one of the best places on Earth to see Southern Right Whales. Every year, hundreds of these gentle giants arrive in the calm waters of the San José and Nuevo Gulfs to mate and give birth.
You can often see them from boats or from the shore, but something magical happens between Puerto Madryn and Puerto Pirámides — especially at El Doradillo and Las Canteras beaches. When the tide is high, the ocean depth allows the whales to come just a few meters from the coast.
Although I had lived in Puerto Madryn as a child and later traveled several times to this area, I had never visited this place until September 2023, when I went there with my 7-year-old son. We arrived at high tide and saw mothers and calves floating calmly near the beach, including an albino whale. It was surreal — these huge creatures gliding right in front of us.
Mateo looking at the Whales
If you visit between mid-September and early October, you might also see the arrival of Magellanic penguins, which makes it even more special. Besides El Doradillo and Las Canteras, there are a few other beaches right next to them, with similar characteristics.
King Penguins in Tierra del Fuego
There are four penguin species in Patagonia: Magellanic, Gentoo, Rockhopper, and King Penguins. The Magellanic is by far the most common, while the King Penguin is the rarest — found mainly at Reserva Pingüino Rey, on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego.
It’s not possible to walk among them there, to avoid disturbing their natural behavior, but you can observe them safely from a viewing platform.
A magic moment!
What truly surprised me, though, was finding a lone King Penguin on a deserted beach along the Beagle Channel, right before starting an expedition to Peninsula Mitre. It’s not rare to see them there, because there are a few in Martillo Island, but is neither common. We were driving on a gravel road four hours east of Ushuaia when I saw it: a solitary penguin standing with wings open against the wind. The grey skies, the cold air, the remote silence — it was one of those moments that stay forever.
The Unexpected Black Widow
As a kid, I was fascinated by spiders — especially the Black Widow, which I thought lived only in faraway countries. Years later, I discovered that they also live in Patagonia, particularly on the Patagonian steppe.
Right next to the road
Once, while driving near Tres Lagos (Santa Cruz Province), I stopped by the roadside and noticed a small web on the ground. To my surprise, a tiny black spider with the classic red hourglass was right there. A real Black Widow, in the middle of Patagonia!
Pumas in Torres del Paine
Besides being one of the world’s top destinations for trekking, Torres del Paine National Park is also one of the best places to see wild pumas in Patagonia. At Beyond BA Latam, we work with a local expert — José (“Pepe”), the son of a former park ranger — who runs ethical puma tracking experiences with remarkable success rates.
Pumas chilling at the Park
During one of my visits, right after completing the W Trek, José gave me a ride back to Puerto Natales. On the way, we suddenly saw a family of pumas resting near the bushes. It was amazing!
Armadillos in Peninsula Valdés
Peninsula Valdés is a paradise for wildlife lovers, home to whales, penguins, sea lions, and also Pichi armadillos. They’re shy, but if you walk around Punta Norte or Caleta Valdés, you might spot them.
Pichi Armadillo – We kept our distance and didn’t bother !
Once, while hiking with my son Mateo near Caleta Valdés, we noticed a small armadillo standing at the entrance of a cave, as if saying, “You found me! Now try to catch me!” before running away. It was fun!
Condors Over the Andes
The Andean Condor can be seen across many regions of Chile and Argentina, but seeing them up close while hiking is unforgettable. I’ve spotted them many times while trekking around El Chaltén, El Calafate, and Torres del Paine — especially along the Nordenskjöld Lake trail (Torres del Paine) or at Mirador de los Cóndores (El Chaltén).
Picture taken by Alejandro Capelli
However, you can spot them in many other places. They seem to float effortlessly, embodying the freedom of Patagonia’s vast skies.
Guanacos on the Patagonian Steppe
Guanacos are almost everywhere in Patagonia — from the coastal plains to the mountain slopes. They coexist with penguins, choiques, and their main predator: the puma.
A classic of the Patagonian gravel roads
One of my favorite memories is from “the cursed 73,” a 73-kilometer gravel stretch of Ruta 40 between Tres Lagos and Gobernador Gregores. The road and the desert-like landscape blend together, and suddenly a herd of guanacos crosses in front of the car — a fleeting reminder that you’re truly in the middle of nowhere.
The Dragon of Patagonia
The Andiperla Willinki, or “Dragon of Patagonia”, is the only known insect that lives its entire life cycle on ice. During an expedition on the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, my guide pointed to a small, wingless insect crawling on the glacier and said, “That’s an Andiperla.”
Right at the moment when Lucho (our guide) saw it
It may not look like a dragon, but discovering it felt like witnessing a secret of the frozen world.
The Charming Choique
The Choique (lesser rhea) is one of Patagonia’s most iconic birds. You can find them wandering through open plains, near penguin colonies, along mountain valleys, and in many areas of Argentina and Chile.
I often remember the sight of a male choique followed by his chicks near Peninsula Valdés, or others running gracefully across the steppe near Cueva de las Manos. They always bring a sense of joy — like dancers of the wind.
Black Dolphins in the Beagle Channel
The Beagle Channel, between Argentina and Chile, is alive with marine life: whales, orcas, seals, seabirds, black dolphins, penguins, and many other species. Once, while sailing toward the Atlantic Ocean, far from Ushuaia, a group of black dolphins appeared and started jumping around our small boat.
Sailing on the Beagle, in front of Peninsula Mitre
Their energy was contagious — one of those moments that remind you how alive this world still is.
Custom Wildlife Tours in Patagonia
These encounters are just a few of many that I’ve experienced across Patagonia and other regions of Argentina and Chile. Every trip brings a new surprise, and every encounter deepens the connection with nature.
At Beyond BA Latam, we design tailor-made wildlife and other kinds of personalized tours in Argentina and Chile. Perhaps you love wildlife but prefer it not to be the main focus of your trip — which sounds amazing too. We’d love to hear about your travel dreams and help you create a journey that fits you perfectly.
Get in touch, and let’s start planning your next adventure in Patagonia.
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