Puerto Madryn tide times

Mean tidal range at Puerto Madryn is approximately 6.0 m relative to Chart Datum — one of the largest on the South Atlantic coast. The Golfo Nuevo's partially-enclosed geometry amplifies the open-ocean South Atlantic tidal signal considerably. Spring tides at new and full moons can push the range above 7 m; neap tides compress toward 4 m. The regime is semidiurnal, with two complete tidal cycles per day.

Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) are present in Golfo Nuevo from June through December, with peak numbers in September and October. For close beach approaches at Playa Doradillo (17 km north of the city), the incoming tide — particularly on spring-tide days — pushes krill inshore and draws feeding whales toward the shallows. Arrive at the clifftop viewpoint approximately two hours before predicted high water for the best combination of whale activity and water depth. Boat-based whale watching from Puerto Madryn harbour operates independently of tide state.

The 6 m tidal range makes the intertidal zone both dramatic and unforgiving. The sea rises and falls approximately 1 m per hour on average through the mid-tide range — faster than most people can comfortably walk on wet, soft substrate. Always check the SHN tide table for the day before entering the intertidal, confirm whether the tide is ebbing or flooding, and allow a generous margin to return before the flood reaches you. Never walk the low-water zone within three hours of low tide on a spring cycle without a clear exit route and timing plan.

Playa Doradillo is an 8 km beach 17 km north of Puerto Madryn along the Golfo Nuevo coast, famous for southern right whales approaching the shore to feed in the shallows. A clifftop road runs the length of the beach, giving elevated views over the water. The beach is accessible by car or organised tour from Puerto Madryn; the road is unpaved but manageable in a standard vehicle in dry conditions. No facilities are on the beach itself — bring water and wind protection. Best visited on the incoming tide during the June-to-December whale season.

No prediction is guaranteed. Tide times and heights on this page come from Open-Meteo Marine modelling (typical accuracy ±45 minutes on timing, ±0.2–0.3 m on height) and are intended as planning guidance only. The Servicio de Hidrografía Naval (SHN) is the authoritative source for Argentine tidal data. Given the 6 m mean range at Puerto Madryn, small prediction errors translate to significant real-world water level differences — always verify with SHN before any activity where tidal state is safety-critical. This site does not accept responsibility for decisions made based on these predictions.