ELEPHANT SEAL EXPEDITION

Valdes, Argentina

- September 2027 -
6 Day Trip / 4 Days Wildlife Viewing
6 Spaces Available

 On the remote coast of Patagonia, giants gather.

Each year, thousands of southern elephant seals return to Argentina’s wild beaches to breed, give birth, battle, and rest, creating one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on Earth.

Male elephant seals can grow over ten feet long and weigh as much as 8,000 pounds… and when they clash, the sound echoes across the shoreline like rolling thunder.

This expedition takes you up close and on the ground with these extraordinary animals, one of the few places on the planet, outside of Antarctica, where such intimate access is possible.

From the shoreline, we’ll photograph massive bulls defending their harems, mothers tending to newborn pups, and curious juveniles lumbering along the surf.

Every encounter happens at eye level, raw, real, and unforgettable.

We’ll explore the Valdés Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most pristine wildlife habitats left on Earth.

Each day, you’ll capture behavior few people ever witness… the power, grace, and vulnerability of the world’s largest seal.

This is not a tourist trip.

It’s a small group field expedition designed for those who want to get close to these animals.

Early mornings, golden light, and quiet patience will reward you with images that carry both intimacy and awe, stories of the ocean’s true giants told through your lens.

Other wildlife we may see on this expedition; Southern Sealions, Patagonian armadillos, megallanic penguins, Chubut steamer ducks, burrowing owls, Patagonia foxes.

Trip Cost is -TBA -

- With an $800 deposit required to reserve your spot.

TRIP INCLUDES

  • 4 1/2 days of wildlife viewing.

  • Lodging (Dbl Occ.)

  • Breakfast, Lunch on the field, and Dinners

  • Transfers from Trelew to our Lodge (R/T)

  • Photo Coaching during the trip

  • Park entrance fees

  • Penguin park entrance fees

PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches and Dinners not specified, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, airfare, trip insurance, crew gratuities,

🔥 YOUR NEXT MOVE…
- You can book your trip now - Or request more information on the trip.
It is still a bit early and we are still fine tuning this trip, but if you want to stay informed, send us a message.

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1. Arrival & First Afternoon With the Giants

We’ll meet you at Trelew Airport or your hotel at 9:00 AM and begin the scenic two-hour drive south to our private ranch lodge, your base for the week. The drive itself offers a first glimpse of Patagonia’s vast open spaces, windswept plains, wild skies, and the distant shimmer of the Atlantic.

Once we arrive at the lodge, you’ll have the rest of the morning to settle in, explore the ranch, and prepare your camera gear. Lunch will be served on-site, followed by a short briefing about the days ahead.

At 2:00 PM, we’ll head out for our first elephant seal session. This afternoon is about soaking it all in — getting familiar with the landscape, the colony, and our daily rhythm. We’ll stay at the colony until close to sunset, chasing the golden light as it paints the beach and the massive seals settle into the evening. Afterwards we will get together for dinner at the ranch.

Days 2–5. Life Among the Giants

The next four days are dedicated entirely to spending time with the elephant seals, observing, waiting, and capturing the full range of their behavior. Our goal is to photograph the males battling for dominance, the intimate moments of courtship and mating, and, with a bit of luck and timing, the birth of a new pup.

Each morning, we’ll start early to catch the soft light of dawn as it spills across the coast, the best time for photography and activity within the colony. We’ll spend the entire morning in the field, moving quietly among the seals, watching for signs of behavior that could unfold into something extraordinary.

Depending on the group’s preference, we’ll either enjoy lunch on the beach, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the colony, or return to the lodge for a meal and a short rest before heading back out for our afternoon session.

Wildlife behavior doesn’t happen on a schedule. It takes patience, timing, and a little luck to be in the right place when those rare, powerful moments unfold, a mother giving birth, a male’s thunderous challenge, or a quiet exchange between two seals.

At day’s end, we’ll return to the lodge to share dinner, stories, and images, followed by relaxed evening editing sessions.

Penguin Visit. An Afternoon With the Magellanic Penguins

One afternoon during the week, we’ll take a break from the elephant seal colony to visit a nearby Magellanic penguin colony.

During this time of year, the penguins are just beginning their breeding season, returning to reclaim their burrows along the coast. With a bit of luck, we may witness courtship displays, honking pairs calling to one another, and even mating behaviors as the colony comes alive.

This session offers an incredible opportunity to photograph the penguins in beautiful coastal light, surrounded by the textures and tones of Patagonia’s wild landscape.

After spending the afternoon with the penguins, we’ll return to the lodge for dinner and our evening photo review.

Day 6. Departure Day

We’ll start the morning with a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, followed by our drive back to Trelew. We’ll depart around 9:00 AM, arriving at the airport or your hotel by approximately 11:00 AM.

Please plan your return flights for after 12:00 PM to allow for a smooth and unhurried transfer.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY 

PAYMENT POLICY

  • A non-refundable deposit of $1000 USD is required to reserve a space on SDM adventures.

  • 50% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 180 days prior to departure.

  • 100% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 90 days prior to departure.

  • A 4% surcharge is applied to payments made via credit card.

  • A 3% paypal surcharge is applied to payments made using paypal.

  • Payments can also be made via wire transfer. Just let us know and we will send you the bank transfer info.
    Please add $40 to cover bank fees.

  • Payments can be made by mailing a U.S. Check, or U.S. Money Order Payable to:

  • SDM adventures
    332 East 15th St.
    San Juan, Texas 78589

    CANCELLATION POLICY 

    All cancellations made more than 120 days prior to departure will receive refund (less an administrative fee of $1000 USD per person). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if we manage to fill the trip after you cancel, we will apply the deposit towards any of our trips that you sign up for, during the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, you will lose the deposit.

  • Cancellations made (91 to 120), calendar days prior to departure, are assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip price, (including extensions).

  • Cancellations made within 90 days of departure date will not be refunded, therefore we strongly recommend all guest purchase travel insurance.

  • All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or by email to sdm@sharkdivermag.com, - received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.

  • We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

  • No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after an expedition begins.

  • We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

LATE PAYMENT POLICY:
To keep trips running smoothly for all guests, we require timely payments according to the schedule provided. If a payment is not received by the agreed-upon due date, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and release the space to another guest without refund of previous payments. We will make every effort to communicate and send a reminder before doing so, but it’s important to stay on schedule to secure your spot.