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South Coast of Golfo San Jose By Sea Kayak

Peninsula Valdes is located on the Patagonian coast. The Valdes landscape unfolds itself towards the Southern Atlantic Ocean forming almost an island of some 4000 square kilometers which is surrounded by the Golfo San Jose on the North and Golfo Nuevo on the South. Declared as a Natural Heritage Site by de UNESCO. Home to an extensive variety of wildlife, this includes colonies of Marine birds, resting places for South American Elephant’s Seals and Sea Lions colonies, Dolphins, Orcas. Its biggest attraction is the Southern Right Whale that migrates here yearly for breeding and calving. Among the other protected wildlife: Guanacos, Rheas, Magellan Penguins and migratory shore seabirds. The shoreline consists of imposing cliffs which rise up from extensive sand and pebble beaches. Platforms of marine erosion are very common, where rich marine fossil are to be seen and the geological formations from tertiary period.

This trip consists of three days of kayaking and overnight camping. The route from Isla de Los Pajaros to Fracasso Bay follows closely the coast line. This portion of the trip we will pass many small shell and pebble beaches as well as sections with cliffs that surround and form small bays, which are just made in order to explore with our kayaks. As we look carefully at the different geological formations and the amount of diverse marine fossils to be found, one can only imagine what this area must have been like millions years ago. We will able to observe a considerable variety of sea birds, such as: Magellanic penguins, Cayenne tern, and Imperial cormorant. Along our journey we will have the company of the incredible Oceanic wanderers, such us: Southern giant petrel and the great Albatrosses!

Colonies of Southern Sea Lions are abundant as well as sightings of Southern Right Whales at a distance and on occasion close to the coast. It’s a wonderful experience to see their majesty and to be able to learn a bit more about their particular habits. It’s to be mentioned that this sector of Golfo San Jose is of historical interest, because it was here the first landing of the Spanish expedition in 1779, leaded by Don Juan de la Piedra. During some of our time on land to relax, we also will be able to hike around and see more of the surprising the area has to offer, including the wildlife and flora of this portion of Patagonian land. As we end our trip we approach Fracasso Bay; an extensive beach declared RAMSAR site as it is an important zone for feeding and nesting of migratory birds. The reason of this is the extensive tidal bank which the tide covers and uncovers twice a day. This provides an excellent habitat for all kind of invertebrates which call these sandy bottoms home. Each day we will enjoy different aspects of Patagonia, from its magic sunsets, the silence, the transparent waters, etc. From the kayak you may live and enjoy each one of these attractions in a more active way in pure contact with nature.

DAY 1: Transfer from Puerto Piramides to Punta Gales on the Golfo San Jose (40 kilometers drive) around 8 am. In Punta Gales is where our adventure begins! With our guides instructions we will fit in our kayaks for the coming trip. He will give us a precise briefing of security, technique guide lines as well as environmental regulations. We take our time for practise and filling comfortable with our kayaks, before we start. The starting point is Punta Gales and we pass next to La Isla de los Pajaros, reaching Punta Logaritmo. There’ll a stop for a rest and lunch. After two more hours of paddling we’ll stop to set up our first camp, where we will be able to enjoy a wonderful sunset and a delicious dinner.
The total paddling distance for this day is 15 kilometers aprox.

DAY 2: After breakfast we break up camp, and get on our kayaks to paddle to visit a Southern Sea Lion colony, where the sea lions have no problem in diving into the water to come and greet us. We will stop for lunch on a beach close to the colony. After wards we’ll continue on paddling to Punta Tehuelches to later arrive to Villarino Beach to set up our second camp, this place is well known as an important site in Peninsula Valdes history. The first Spanish expeditions landed in.
The paddling distance for this day is 15 kilometres aprox.

DAY 3: After breakfast and breaking up camp we start our last lap to Fracasso Beach. We will have lunch in a spectacular beach, after to stretch our legs we hike up a cliff to have a panoramic view of Golfo San Jose. In the afternoon we will be met by a vehicle to take us back to Puerto Piramides, around 4 pm.
Distance covered 15 kilometers aprox.

Characteristics Golfo San Jose, Natural Reserve:

The Golfo San Jose is protected as part of the Peninsula Valdes Nature Reserve. We intend to observe all the characteristics of this environment, from its marine and land flora, the geology and the marine fossils, marine mammals, sea birds, invertebrates, molluscs and other inhabitants of the tidal flats,
historical sites, etc. Special laws and norms exist to observe the marine mammals, but the concept basically is: we adapt to their behaviour and not them to us; and we must respect a certain distance that this involves. Regarding the Southern Right Whale we have great chances of watching them along thejourney and especially in certain areas, but it always will be in situations when the whale is close to the shore. We will observe them, take pictures and understand their behaviour and observe their majesty. To later continue with our daily destination. The same thing occurs with different elements we may find; these could be arqueological or paleontological remains. The idea is to observe and learn from this particular habitat without modifying it, taking only memories and photographs of the experience. This way we will know, learnt and enjoyed a protected Area in a responsible way. Through knowledge we gain understanding and learn to protect the environment!

Important facts to keep in mind:
-Tides: there is a big difference between high and low tide, an average of 4 meters difference. It is important as it means transporting the kayaks for between 100-200 meters, although most of the campsites are in areas where the depth is greater, so the kayaks must not be transported far.
-The climate and particularly the winds is the factor that may influence navigation. This is the reason the distances covered each day have been calculated keeping this in mind and one day might be modified. A detailed daily itinerary will be available upon request, it is to be understood that changes in itinerary will be made due to weathers conditions. For these reasons we may have to camp in the same spot longer than planned.

Environmental Ethics:
As accredited expedition guides we follow conservation guide-lines as lay down by Leave No Trace Organization. One of our main goals is to promote the conservation of the eco-systems involved in each one of the activities we engage in. Keeping small group sizes enables us to offer our clients’ personal attention and truly unique experience whit a minimum impact on the environment. The familiarity we have with our trips is the result of personal experiences and years of living in the area.

Professional Safety Standards:
We provide the best quality equipment and fully adequate for the planned activity.
Safety is our priority in all of our expeditions.

About our Equipment: All of our gear is of the best quality and fully adequate for the planned activity
Kayaks: Sit on Top from Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro/ Prowlers13. Sit inside SDK doubles and singles.
Paddles: Long distance ultra light paddles.
Kayak Gear:
Life jackets, dry bags, neoprene boots, mittens, waterproof jackets and neoprene skirt.
Camping gear:
The North Face Tents-double occupancy.
Thermal pads
MSR stove and a gas stove.
Fully complete Medical kit.
Over land back up 4x4 pickup truck.

Client to guide ratio: 4:1
Maximum group size per guide in Single kayaks: 4:1 + Assistant Guide
Maximum group size per guide in double kayaks: 8: 1 + Assistant Guide
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Experience required: Medium level (At least one outing on kayak)

Price per person in US$: $450.
Recommended time: October-December. Can operate any day with minimum of 2 people

Included in Cost:
All group camping and cooking gear
Ground transportation as mentioned in itinerary
All meals while on the kayak expedition
All kayaking gear

Not included in cost:
Any additional meals not mentioned in itinerary
Personal camping gear
Staff/Guides gratuities
Extra hotel accommodation