In this stage we leave Ruta 3 for a time to take Provincial Road 1 and venture into one of the most extraordinary and least-visited coastlines in Argentina.

The RP1 follows the transition between steppe and sea, crossing pioneer estancias, rock pools, cliffs, small coastal towns and vast open horizons where the wind, the distances and marine life still set the rhythm of the territory.

For years, much of this coast remained off the tourist radar. Today it is beginning to be rediscovered thanks to local communities, family projects and organisations working to protect the sea and develop a more mindful form of tourism deeply connected to the landscape.

Journey milestones

In the map illustrated by @decur, every 📍 marks a milestone along the route and a story deeply tied to the Patagonian coast.

Wild nature. Steppe and sea life. Marine conservation. Projects with identity and roots.

Routes and voyages

🚙 Rawson → Playa Unión  |  🚤 Rawson → Playa Unión

🚙 RP1 → Punta Tombo → Cabo Raso → Cabo Dos Bahías → Camarones

🚤 Camarones → Islas Blancas  |  Bahía Arredondo → Caleta Hornos → Faro de Isla Leones

🚙 Camarones → Isla Leones Camp → Marisma Camp → Bahía Bustamante

🚤 Bahía Bustamante → Caleta Malaspina → Archipiélago Vernacci

🚙 Rocas Coloradas → Comodoro Rivadavia → Rada Tilly

🚤 Proyecto en curso → cuenca del Golfo San Jorge

10 · Rawson and Playa Unión 🐬

Curious and agile, Commerson's dolphins approach vessels leaping and surfing the waves off the coast of Rawson.

The main attraction here is spotting the Commerson's dolphin, a species endemic to the Patagonian coast. From the port, you sail along the mouth of the Chubut River, where South American sea lions and numerous coastal birds can be seen before heading into the open sea in search of the dolphins. @toninas_delfin_patagonico

11 · Punta Tombo 🐧

One of the largest continental colonies of Magellanic penguins in the world.

Thousands of penguins arrive each year at this section of the Patagonian coast to nest, breed and moult in an open landscape dominated by wind, gravel and sea.

12 · Cabo Raso 🌊

Here Eliane and Miguel breathed life back into a small town that seemed forgotten. Today the place has a roadside stop, a general store and cabins facing the sea. There is no internet or telephone: the disconnection is complete. @caboraso

The wild beaches also attract surfers in search of solitary waves.

13 · Cabo Dos Bahías 🪨

Provincial Route 1 crosses pioneer estancias and an open steppe where it is common to encounter guanacos, rheas, Patagonian maras, grey foxes and pichis before reaching the Cabo Dos Bahías Natural Protected Area, gateway to the Patagonia Austral Marine Coastal Interjurisdictional Park.

The volcanic rock landscape contrasts with the deep blue of the sea and shelters colonies of Magellanic penguins, along with sea lions and numerous coastal birds.

It is worth taking a detour to Caleta Sara, a small bay where you can stay and head out by sailboat or kayak.

14 · Camarones ⚓

The route finally leads to Camarones, a small Patagonian port and gateway to Patagonia Azul.

The oldest town in Chubut was recognised as an “Authentic Town” for its identity, its serene scale and its way of life connected to the sea and the steppe. A few kilometres away lie the remains of the Vapor Villarino, a vessel that transported the remains of General San Martín and was part of the exploration of Argentine Patagonia.

A La Promesa Dialogue was held here and the book Patagonia by Leandro Vesco was presented at @huellaazul.camarones, a gathering accompanied by seafood cuisine by @carolapuracchio thanks to the efforts of @rewilding_argentina, within the framework of @parquepatagoniaazul.

 📍 Huella Azul · Camarones

🗓️ Saturday 7 February · 7 pm

A Purposeful Action was also carried out. @pirqatravel donated a shredder to the cooperative @briquetascamarones · NEC-MAR, driven by Inca and Rosita together with @amigosdelmarcamarones.

In a landscape without trees and with harsh winters, where access to warmth is essential, the project transforms collected cardboard, paper and sawdust into ecological briquettes to heat homes, strengthening a circular economy initiative deeply connected to the real needs of the territory.

Community projects 🌱

Amigos del Mar Camarones · @amigosdelmarcamarones

ALAS · Patagonian yarns and textiles · @alashiladosytejidos

CHISPA · Community vegetable garden

Club del Mar Camarones · Marine education for children · @clubdelmarcamarones

15 · Mesa Singular – Carola Puracchio 🍽️

La Promesa Argentina seeks to spotlight gastronomic projects deeply connected to the territory.

The work of @carolapuracchio, through her project A-MAR @amar.algas, is truly unique.

A table facing the sea. Few diners. Cuisine based on seaweed harvested from Patagonian rock pools. Transforming food into identity.

16 · Patagonia Azul 🐋

From Camarones, the Patagonia Azul Route continues towards one of the most extraordinary stretches of the Argentine sea.

@rewilding_argentina works here protecting marine ecosystems, restoring degraded environments and developing projects alongside local communities.

In 2025, the creation of the @parquepatagoniaazul marked a turning point: more than 300,000 hectares protected in one of the most biodiverse stretches of the Argentine coast.

María Mendizábal, head of Tourism Development at the Patagonia Azul Project, has been supporting the growth of the Blue Route and the development of experiences linked to the sea, nature and coastal communities. Her knowledge of the territory and her enthusiasm have been fundamental in driving new tourism projects along this Patagonian coastline.

Open-sea sailing 🌊

Taking a boat trip is an unforgettable option for a deep experience with the surroundings.

 📍 Islas Blancas

Together with @vientoazulexcursiones, Commerson's dolphins follow the bow between rock pools, islets and open sea, while penguins, sea lions, steamer ducks, imperial cormorants and a huge diversity of coastal birds appear.

 📍 Bahía Arredondo

From here the boat trip to Isla Leones departs with @vientoazulexcursiones. Commerson's dolphins accompany the voyage. This excursion runs between October and March–April. December is the breeding season for the dolphins and for most of the species observed during the crossing.

 📍 Caleta Hornos

In 1535, Simón de Alcazaba y Sotomayor landed here in his attempt to found Nueva León.

 📍 Faro de Isla Leones

A historical landmark from 1917 in the middle of the open sea, declared Argentine Cultural Heritage.

 📍 Islas y mar abierto

Whales all year round! Five species visit the Chubut coast: Southern Right, Sei, Humpback, Minke and, in recent sightings, even the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. A gathering ground for the broadnose sevengill shark.

17 · Sea shelters 🛶

Tiny houses in an infinite landscape.

Isla Leones Camps @islaleonescamps · Marisma Camps @marismacamps

Tiny houses facing the sea to explore this coastline from within: kayaking in estuaries, snorkelling and diving in kelp forests and seagrass meadows around islands and shipwreck sites, crystal-clear rock pools for swimming, coastal horse rides and sailing between islands.

Bahía Bustamante Lodge @bahiabustamante

An old seaweed-harvesting village on a sheep estancia, transformed into a natural sanctuary facing the sea through the sustained work of Matías Soriano and Astrid Perkins, pioneers in helping to make visible and protect this extraordinary stretch of the Patagonian coast.

Sailing through Caleta Malaspina, petrified forests, islands with penguins, natural pools and rural life connected to regenerative practices.

When the wind blows, a sound sculpture by Christian Boltanski emits sounds that evoke the song of whales.

18 · Rocas Coloradas 🔴

A red volcanic landscape, with petrified forests, intensely blue lagoons and geological formations shaped over millions of years. An ideal territory to explore by mountain bike between canyons, plateaus and open sea.

Meteorite Hill and Salamanca Peak give this coastal stretch an almost extraterrestrial appearance.

19 · Comodoro Rivadavia · La “Polis Patagónica” 🌆

The nerve centre of central Patagonia, with vibrant university life and an identity shaped by immigration, Comodoro is a true melting pot of nationalities.

Its character combines climatic resilience, industrial pride and a cultural fusion born from the constant movement of those who came to stay.

A La Promesa Dialogue and a joint presentation of the book Patagonia were held here.

 📍 Hotel Lucania Palazzo

🗓️ 9 de febrero — 19 hs

20 · Rada Tilly 🌊

Rada Tilly claims to be the southernmost seaside resort in the Americas and one of the most southerly in the world, surrounded by hills and cliffs.

Facing the sea is the sea lion reserve of Punta del Marqués.

Accommodation

Cabo Raso · @caboraso

Camarones

Casas de Mar El Faro · @casasdemar

Casa Camarones by the Sea · @casacamarones.patagonia

Casona Islas Blancas · hotel boutique · @casonaislasblancas

Patagonia Azul

Isla Leones Camps · @islaleonescamps

Marisma Camps · @marismacamps

Bahía Bustamante Lodge · @bahiabustamante

This Territorial Journey was made possible thanks to Hertz Argentina, who provided the vehicle to cover this extensive Patagonian route, and to the ongoing support of the Hertz Trelew team. Fuel and additional contributions were provided by MAI 10. A very special thank you to Rewilding Argentina and the Patagonia Azul team for their support throughout the entire coastal stage, and to Pirqa Travel for making the Purposeful Action in Camarones possible.

Instagram

Northern Chubut Coast

CAMARONES · Gateway to Patagonia Azul 🌊

DEL MAR A LA ESTEPA A LA CORDILLERA https://www.instagram.com/p/DYPQdUmDkOd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==