Commerson's dolphins, sea lions, Magellanic penguins and cormorants are among the coastal wildlife you may encounter in the Reserva Provincial Ría Deseado. This introduction to the natural world sets the tone for Puerto Deseado, but Departamento Deseado also brings together fossil flora, historic traces and seaside walking paths.

Coast and Wildlife in Puerto Deseado

The Reserva Provincial Ría Deseado is a protected area in Puerto Deseado, in Departamento Deseado. The Parque Interjurisdiccional Marino Isla Pingüino is also located in Puerto Deseado. The reserve offers opportunities to encounter the coastal wildlife mentioned above. A boat trip on the Ría Deseado is one of the activities available to visitors; an excursion to the Parque Interjurisdiccional Marino Isla Pingüino is also offered from Puerto Deseado. An old lighthouse, inaugurated in 1903, stands on Isla Pingüino. Other activities in Puerto Deseado include visiting the Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco and hiking in the Parque Provincial Monte Loayza.

The Museo Regional Mario Brozoski and the former railway station offer ways to connect with the city's history. Visitors can tour the Viejo Vagón Histórico. Together, these destinations reveal different sides of Puerto Deseado: protected nature, a maritime excursion and historic sites.

Fossil Flora and History in Jaramillo and Fitz Roy

The Parque Nacional Bosques Petrificados de Jaramillo preserves one of the country's most significant concentrations of fossil flora. This gives the natural history of the department a different emphasis from the coastal wildlife in Puerto Deseado: here, the focus is on fossilized plant life.

In Jaramillo and Fitz Roy, the first school to be declared provincial cultural heritage is preserved. The provincial historic and tourist route commemorating the “Huelga de 1921” ends in Jaramillo and Fitz Roy. The “La Era del Hielo” thematic museum is also one of the attractions in the two towns. Visitors interested in culture and regional history will find several distinct themes here: a preserved school building, a route with a historic connection and a thematic museum.

Caleta Olivia: Promenade, Nature Reserve and Whales

In Caleta Olivia, a 4.5-kilometer-long waterfront promenade offers an opportunity to stroll by the sea. The bay that gives the city its name has been a municipal nature reserve since 1992. Because of the great variety and concentration of whales and other cetaceans, as well as how easy the animals are to observe, Caleta Olivia is known as the “City of Whales.” The name suits a place where the coast and wildlife watching are important features.

Caleta Olivia is also home to El Gorosito, an almost 13-meter-tall bronze statue erected in 1969. The catch of the day is another part of the local character: it is considered a classic of the local cuisine. Caleta Olivia is also the first stop on the Ruta Azul tourist corridor. The city's history, local cuisine and waterfront promenade thus complement its focus on cetaceans and the nature reserve.

Planning Your Trip

You can reach Puerto Deseado by car via Ruta Nacional 3 and then Ruta Provincial 27. To plan the focus of your trip, the destinations can be distinguished by interest: Puerto Deseado is known for coastal wildlife, protected areas and boat trips; Jaramillo and Fitz Roy combine fossil flora with historic sites; Caleta Olivia stands out for its promenade, nature reserve and local connection to the catch of the day.

Discover more destinations: Aguada Grande, Puerto Deseado, Caleta Olivia, Güer Aike, Departamento Río Chico, Lago Buenos Aires Department, Departamento Lago Argentino.

Go to the main travel overview: Santa Cruz.