The sprawling coastal town of Puerto Madryn was founded by Welsh settlers in 1865 and although it has a relatively large fishing industry and an aluminium plant, tourism is equally if not more important. The town is not only the diving capital of Argentina but it also acts as a base for many of those who come to marvel at the diversified marine life off nearby Peninsula Valdes.

Overlooking the Golfo Nuevo, the town is just 70 km west of Valdes. It boasts a variety of accommodation and lots of tour operators which run day trips to watch the magnificent southern right whales. They gather here each year to mate and calve in the protected bay. Besides the whales, there are colonies of elephant seals, sea lions and Magellan penguins.

Just north of town is the EcoCentro, which explains all about local marine life as does the Museo Oceanografico y de Ciencias Naturales which also has information on local fauna and flora. The history of Puerto Madryn and its Welsh founders is detailed in the Centro de Exposicion Punta Cuevas.