Bahia Bustamante

This remote 100,000-acre sheep farm in south-east Argentina is the most extraordinary haven for marine wildlife, its pristine white beaches home to up to 100,000 Magellan penguins and 4,000 noisy sea lions. Huge colonies of cormorants and oystercatchers nest here, along with several native species. It’s been likened to an Argentine version of the Galapagos Islands, and being here feels even more special as it’s all private land and a real off-grid experience. They offer a variety of superb guided activities, including boat trips to see wildlife, a 4×4 visit to a 60-million-year old petrified forest, and trekking along a dry river, whose 15m-high canyon walls were formed in the Jurassic Era.

Historically, Bahia Bustamante was a tiny town established by pioneer Don Lorenzo Soriano to harvest seaweed and his grandson Matias and wife Astrid now run it as a very special wilderness lodge – the old workers’ houses converted into 16 guest cabins with limited internet/electricity, cosy blankets woven from their wool and mostly providing their own fresh, seasonal ingredients for meals. The focus is on the vast surroundings, which you can explore on foot, by 4×4, by bike or on horseback, a national park for the lucky few!

Bahia Bustamante is also home to a pioneering wine project with experimental vines grown directly on the beach.

Senderos Soul

Patagonia evokes images of pure expanse and rugged landscape. The lands in Bahia Bustamante are no exception to this save for one unique feature of its location on the seafront. This coastal spot offers simultaneous moon rises and sunsets on both horizons, deep blue ocean on one side and dry tundra on the other - both incredibly rich in wildlife and natural history. The small sand dunes close to the beaches are covered in organised piles of shells discarded by Mapuche tribes who came here to eat. The steppe further back tells stories of trees petrified into rocks over centuries of tectonic movements. The sea is teeming with life from sea lions, penguins, whales, fish and seaweed - the harvesting of which gave Bahia Bustamante its legacy - the story of which is still present around the property today.

- Nicola, Senderos

Key Facts

No. of rooms: 16

Category of rooms:
Loft Marino (*new Nov 23): 4 beautiful renovated and upgraded cabins with large picture windows facing towards the sea on one side and steppe to the other. Modern design interior, bedroom with a connected living room, working desk and wood burning stove. For 2 people.

Casa de Mar: 5 standalone cabins with 2 double/twin bedrooms, shared bathroom (shower, no tub), living room with sea view, kitchenette with coffee machine and hob, seaview terrace with seating.

Suite del Vinedo: 1 Originally part of the old family house, where Lorenzo Soriano used to live. New for 2024 it has been restored in the form of a large suite, steps away from the vineyard with an open view of the sea. It has 1 large en suite bedroom with king or twin beds, a living room with stunning views, and the possibility of connecting with 1 quadruple-based Casa de Mar (sea house) an ideal house for families or groups of friends.

Casa de Estepa: 6 standalone cabins for independent stay (self catering, rate doesn’t include meals or activities). Double bedroom, bathroom (shower only), living room with daybed/3rd bed, basic kitchenette, dining area, terrace with seating

Dates of operation: 1st October 2024 – 7 April 2025

Facilities and Amenities: Main lodge with restaurant, living room, bar, library, memorial room (detailing the town’s history with sepia photos and worker diaries), pool room

Internet: WiFi upgrade for 24/25 incl in Marine Lofts and Suite del Vinedo

Excursion details (min / max pax): 2/18

Rates from (per night per cabin in a double/twin room):

Season 2024-25: US$1,215 in Casa do Mar & $1275 in Marine Lofts. Additional beds are only available in the Steppe Cabins which is added into the living room at a rate of $40 per night. *For full rates see links below under Gallery and Resources*

Rates include: Full board with sping water + activities on the property (other drinks and transfers extra) in Sea Cabins and Marine Lofts; self catering, no activities included in Steppe Cabin.

Min age: 10yrs

Minimum stay: 3 nights, except between 22nd December and 2nd January, 4 nights.

Senderos recommends: 3-4 nights, to make the most of the variety of activities on offer.

Sustainability

The main goal of the owners of Bahia Bustamate is to protect this piece of paradise & share this incredible nature with guests from all over the world, aiming to promote environmental conservation & raise awareness on the protection of this fragile ecosystem.

The area is classified as an IBA (Important Birding Area) and part of ‘Blue Patagonia’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: only a few places in the world house such an amount and diversity of seabirds and marine mammals.
Solar Energy: Solar panels provide the lodge with electricity all day, the only source of energy.
The reserve welcomes biologists and scientists worldwide to research the wildlife and nature patterns and the lodge acts a base for their research. BB offer them free accommodation and logistic support, in order to promote marine wildlife research.
The biodynamic vegetable garden provides the restaurant with fruits, olives, berries and a wide variety of vegetables, aromatic herbs and edible flowers.
By sea, they continue to harvest sea salt and samphire manually
Water: They use spring water with natural spring gravity and provide reusable bottles if guests need them. Guests are reminded that water is a scarce resource and requested to use it responsibly. They use grey waters for watering the lodge’s surroundings.
On the farm: They apply holistic management of livestock to restore Patagonian grasslands and use solar energy to generate electricity on the fields. They have wind and solar mills to provide the sheep with water.
They guarantee the balance between nature & guests by limiting maximum capacity to 20-25 guests per day.
More information can be read here on their website and in their Commitment to Nature.

Need to know:

A truly remote, off-grid experience. Tipped by Vogue, Forbes and Mr Porter as one of the best places in the world for a digital detox, there is no mobile phone signal, little hope of using the WIFI (upgrade for 24/25), and even the electricity is limited.
Transfers from Trelew, Puerto Madryn and Comodorio Rivadavia airports and from the Gas Station on the highway can be booked through the lodge (subject to availabilty)
The restaurant serves delicious fixed menus based on local food (lamb, fish, fruit from their organic garden. Seaweed pancakes for breakfast and hearty vegetable soup for lunch).
The lodge has one of the most southerly vineyards in the world (45.1 degrees south), and the closest to any beach. A project that they sahre with the Ver Sacrum winery from Mendoza land owner Matias Soriano wanted the wine to taste of the Atlantic Ocean and have planted 70% Semillon grapes for 30% Pinot Noir for this exciting experiement on marine soil.
While Right whales are not spotted along this part of the coastline regularly, Bahia Bustamante is a perfect place to combine with a stay near Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes for those seeking the full marine experience.
Limited electricity at night.

Perfect for:

Anyone who wants to get away from the modern world and commune with nature!

Getting there

Bahia Bustamante is 300km south of Peninsula Valdes in the Chubut Province of Argentina Patagonia. It’s a short flight from Buenos Aires (1000km).

By Road

You can self drive or request transfers from either Comodoro Rivadavia, Puerto Madryn or Trelew airports. as well as from the Gas Station on the highway near to the lodge (where the public bus stops).

By Air

Nearest airport: Comodoro Rivadavia (2.30 hours’ drive), or Trelew (3 hours’ drive)

Gallery & Resources

Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Bahia Bustamante to access:

Images, our selection
Fact sheets
Presentations
Rack rates
Excursion lists
And other useful information.

Bahia Bustamante has its own image and product information library here.

Weather

Summer (Dec-Feb: highs of 28, lows of 12; birthing season for seabirds)
Autumn (March-May: highs of 24, lows of 4; penguins migrate)
Winter (June-Aug: highs of 14, lows of 1; sheep shearing)
Spring (Sept-Nov: highs of 24, lows of 4; penguins arrive; whale watching in nearby Peninsula Valdés)