Puerto San Julián

Santa Cruz

Surrounded by a rich sea fauna, Puerto San Julián invites you to discover the place where the Portuguese explorer Fernando de Magallanes arrived in 1520. There is a replica of his ship Nao Victoria (the first ship to circumnavigate the world) that tells part of this fascinating story. The sea area of the San Julián Bay is protected by the Marino Makenke Interjurisdictional Park.

You can visit all year round. The best time to visit is from October through April.

What to see

Coastal circuit in San Julián Bay

You can either tour along the 27-kilometre circuit by car or on bike following the edge of the San Julián Bay to discover its beaches, great views and sea fauna.

To the north, in La Mina Beach, there is a viewpoint offering panoramic views of cormorants, Commerson's dolphins and a colony of sea lions. To the south, there is a second viewpoint and panoramic viewpoint at the Pigafetta Beach.

Cormorant and Justicia Islands

The Cormorant and Justicia Islands are located inside the San Julián Bay and can only be accessed with boat navigation tours. You will find geese, dolphins, southern seagulls, Hudsonian godwits, swans, black-crowned night herons and flamingos. In Cormorán Island, there is a colony of 130,000 Magellanic penguins, and in Justicia Island, there is a colony of imperial and rock shags. You may also see some dolphins, Commerson's dolphins and killer whales.