Patagonia Orca Land Based Expedition 2026

Join Apex Ocean Travel to discover the ultimate wildlife adventure on Argentina’s remote Peninsula Valdés, where one of the world’s most extraordinary natural spectacles takes place - orca beach hunting. We will be staying on 15,000 hectares of private land and over 20km of wild Patagonian coastline at Punta Norte, one of the few places globally where orcas intentionally strand themselves on pebble beaches to hunt sea lion pups and elephant seals—a phenomenon found nowhere else on Earth!!

What to Expect
Unparalleled wildlife encounters: Spend days on the private beaches and at the Punta Norte lighthouse, accompanied by expert guides who grew up alongside these orcas. Guests should be prepared for patient, respectful observation—these are wild interactions, not scripted shows.

Diverse animal life: Besides orcas, the region teems with South American sea lions, southern elephant seals, thousands of Magellanic penguins, and a variety of terrestrial mammals and birds.

Full-field immersion: Expeditions are timed to optimal tidal windows, maximizing chances for orca sightings. Evenings offer the chance to unwind and share stories over regional wines and expertly prepared Patagonian cuisine.

What Makes It Unique
Exclusive access: As our guest, you’ll experience coastal wilderness and orca encounters unavailable to mass-market tours—often with the researchers themselves as your guides.

World-famous behavior: Nowhere else do wild orcas perform their legendary “intentional stranding” in such accessible proximity. Witnessing this rare hunting technique is a bucket-list moment for wildlife lovers and photographers.

Authentic Patagonian ranch life: Beyond the wildlife, immerse yourself in the tradition and hospitality of a four-generation family ranch, where every guest is treated like a friend returning home.

While the orca hunting behavior is the star of the show, Patagonia's coastline offers a rich variety of wildlife encounters throughout your 10-day stay.

Sea Lions & Sea Lion Pups
You'll have front-row views of South American sea lions (lobos marinos) resting and playing along the beaches. April is peak season for seal pups—making it the best time to witness orcas practicing intentional stranding behavior as they hunt them.

Southern Elephant Seals
Although more abundant later in the year, some southern elephant seals may still be seen hauled out on nearby beaches as the season transitions.

Southern Right Whales
These gentle giants begin arriving in May for their calving and mating season. Occasionally, a few may be seen offshore toward the end of our April trip.

Magellanic Penguins
A large colony of Magellanic penguins nests and roams the nearby coastline between September and April. You’ll likely encounter them waddling along the beaches or resting near their burrows.

Other Land & Birdlife
The surrounding terrain is home to iconic Patagonian species such as guanacos (wild relatives of llamas) and rheas (large flightless birds), along with over 180 species of birds—ranging from coastal seabirds to inland raptors and songbirds.

Join the Apex Ocean Travel family and embark on an epic adventure to interact with intelligent and curious cetaceans.

Book your spot today:
info@apexoceantravel.com

Alex Schmidt @alexsharks_

La Ernestina is a 15 000 hectare sheep farm, located on Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in 1907, this property plays host to one of the great events in nature. A group of orca have mastered the art of intentionally stranding on these pebble beaches to capture sea lion pups and occasionally elephant seals. These spectacular predatory events can be witnessed nowhere else in the world. Punta Orca Research team study the orca at the beaches of La Ernestina daily between March and May every year.