Marine Animals

Puerto San Julian

Great variety of marine animals can be observed at Puerto San Julian, a picturesque coastal location characterized by clear blue water beaches, high cliffs, dark sands and estuaries with ancient history, where thousands of noisy marine animals and birds decorate the beautiful natural environment.

Protected by an enormous bay, Puerto San Julian stands out for the wealthy fauna in its coasts and islands. For this reason it has been declared a Natural Reserve.

The city has its own charm. It is located at the seaside on the San Julian Bay. The serene and tidy streets flow in direction of the sea and the winding coastal promenade along the wide, solitary beaches, offering natural balconies for sightseeing and photography.

Touring this promenade the visitor can reach the Punta Caldera Reef and Playa de Cabo Curioso Beach surrounded by cliffs. Nearby, there is a lighthouse and a colony of cormorants. La Mina is a smaller, fishermen's favorite spot.

"Club Nautico" arranges interesting marine excursions to the islands of Banco Cormoran, Banco Justicia and Penguin Island. In addition they organize aquatic activites such as windsurf, canoes and sailing.

Puerto San Julian is a fascinating site with enormous historic relevance since its bay witnessed the very first dramatic encounters between the white man and the Argentinean territory.

The name Patagonia originated from the first impression that Magellan got from the local aborigines, the "Tehuelche" Indians, whom he named "Pata" for their large feet and body dimentions.

What to Visit

Exhibition of petrified archeology and anthropology pieces, reminiscences of the first years of San Julian, and a special hall dedicated to aborigine's handmade objects.

Excursions from the port:

The coastal circuit starts from National Route No 3 passing Roberto Scholl tomb. Caracoles beach named after the millions of seashells found on the coast. Visit to Punta Caldera Reef and Cabo Furioso beautiful beaches of blue clear waters. Observation of the lighthouse and the cormorants' colony, and Visit to La Mina beach, favorite of the fishermen, named after a coal mine exploited in the past. Visit to La Loberia, a colony of sea wolves. Occasional cliff collapsing sometimes reveal interesting fossils.

Provincial Natural Reserve "Peninsula San Julian":

An area of 10,400 Ha dedicated to the conservation of the regional terrestrial and marine animals, rehabilitation of the ground and recovery of original local species. Those which can be observed are the Magellan Penguin, cormorants, ostriches, red foxes, grey foxes, piches and guanacos.

San Julian Bay and Penguin Island: Excursions to the islands of of Banco Cormoran, Banco Justicia and Penguin Island, where Magellan penguins, dolphins and great variety of marine animals and birds can be observed.

"Estancia La Maria":

The farm is located at 150 Km distance on route No 77. There are 84 caves with "rupestre" (rock prehistoric art) dating from 12,600 years ago, extremely well conserved. These caves constitute (together with the "Hands Cave" in Neuquen) the most important founding of prehistoric art in Patagonia. It is believed that 3 or 4 different cultures prior to the "Tehuelches" left their art on the caves walls. The visit is guided by the farm owners. The farm also offers accommodation and a camping area.

Replication of the "Nao Victoria" Magellan's vessel:

The dominant monument is located coastal area, right at the principal entrance to San Julian, San martin Avenue. The ship was the sole survivor from the entire Magellan fleet which managed to return to Spain. The replicated vessel functions as a tourist center providing historic background as well as tales and legends of the mythical bay.

How to get there:

The entrance to San Julian is on Km 2,251 on National Route No 3, and 360 Km north to Rio Gallegos.