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  • UNESCO

Seals of approval

December 10, 2018 | Michael Turtle | 18 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Baby seals frolic in the surf where the small waves meet the sand. A rocky outcrop at one point on the shoreline creates natural pools where they play in groups.

Small, black and shimmering in the sunlight, the pups look like they’re in a nursery. Nearby their mothers keep a watchful eye on them as they play.

For the sea lions of Peninsula Valdes, this is the closest they get to a community – families living together as the youngsters grow up and develop.

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

It’s a safe environment for the sea lions here on the peninsula near Puerto Madryn, which is protected by both UNESCO and the Argentinian authorities.

It’s one of the most important breeding grounds for marine animals in South America and home to a variety of species.

Sea lions at the north, elephant seals further down the coast. On the beaches and dunes live penguins over the summer breeding period. During some months, whales and orcas inhabit the waters nearby and use the peninsula as protection from the rough seas.

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonian animals

Visiting Peninsula Valdes feels a bit like going to a zoo. It also feels nothing like a zoo. And it feels exactly how you wish zoos felt.

Each species seems to have its own particular spot on the peninsula it uses for its colony. Rarely do they mix. So to see the whole selection of animals you drive from place to place.

“Our next stop will be the elephant seals”, our guide tells us.

And she was right – there they were on the beach, just as promised.

We drive to one particular cliff to look down and see the penguins. And the highlight of the day – the sea lions – were at exactly the beach we had expected them to be at.

Creatures of habit, they come back to the same location every year during this season.

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Being a protected area, Peninsula Valdes is a sanctuary for wildlife and it’s not just the marine animals that benefit. On land, creatures rule this domain.

We see armadillos, foxes, guanaco, and dozens of different species of bird. Even our guide gets excited when she sees a breed of wild cat that she has never spotted before, despite guiding groups through the peninsula for seven years.

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina

It says a lot about the place that you can find such a sense of wonder after just one visit or even after hundreds.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Laura |

    March 22, 2012 at 4:23 am

    Reply

    So, so cute! The fox in the middle of the road looks so thoughtful lol 🙂

    • Turtle |

      March 23, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Reply

      I think the fox was only thinking about what food I possibly had with me!

  2. The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) |

    March 22, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Reply

    Incredible wildlife! Those seals are SO cute! 😉 Clever title!

    • Turtle |

      March 23, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Reply

      The seals are super cute. I loved the way the little pups all played around with each other like kids.

  3. lunaticg |

    March 22, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    Reply

    I thought you’re talking about the enforcement team when I read the title. 😀

    • Turtle |

      March 23, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Reply

      Ha ha. That would’ve been a much cooler story!! 🙂

  4. Angela |

    March 24, 2012 at 3:16 am

    Reply

    omg the seals are super gorgeous!

    • Turtle |

      March 27, 2012 at 2:42 am

      Reply

      I just wish we could have gone down and played with them… but ‘apparently’ that’s not the done thing 🙂

  5. Bret @ Green Global Travel |

    March 28, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    Reply

    Great shots, Michael! I especially love the wild cat and the fox. We were actually talking to a tour company today about a new tour they’re doing to this region of Argentina starting later this year. Looks like a place we’d love…

    • Turtle |

      March 29, 2012 at 3:17 am

      Reply

      Oh, if you get a chance you have to go! I know you’ve seen a lot of amazing places in the world, Bret, but I think you will find Patagonia hard to top for the scenery!

  6. Zia Courtney |

    March 28, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Reply

    The Fox are so cute and seals are cute as well!

    • Turtle |

      March 29, 2012 at 3:19 am

      Reply

      It’s almost like they’re all just posing for us! 🙂

  7. Laurel |

    March 28, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    Reply

    Love the seals, especially the babies – adorable!

    • Turtle |

      March 29, 2012 at 3:25 am

      Reply

      The baby seals looked like they were having so much fun playing around in the water. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that orcas can actually launch themselves onto the beach and snatch them!

  8. Swapnil |

    March 29, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Reply

    ahh they look so cute together

    • Turtle |

      April 2, 2012 at 1:09 am

      Reply

      Sealed with a kiss, perhaps? 🙂

  9. crazy sexy fun traveler |

    September 18, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Reply

    I love this place! Didn’t see a wild cat when I was there!

    • Michael Turtle |

      September 20, 2012 at 2:20 am

      Reply

      It’s such a beautiful part of the world!!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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