Las Grutas: Coast, Sea and Discoveries

Las Grutas lies on the coast of the Gulf of San Matías in the east of Río Negro Province, within the Área Natural Protegida Bahía de San Antonio. The town combines activities on the water with a waterfront promenade above the cliffs and excursion destinations to the north and south. So when choosing a holiday apartment, it is worth considering which aspect of your stay interests you most: boat trips, diving, handicrafts or the surrounding coastal landscape.

Experience the Sea: Boat Trips and Diving

Boat trips to observe the diverse marine fauna of the Gulf of San Matías depart from Las Grutas year-round. On trips in the excursion area, you may see sea lions and dolphins, among other wildlife. Boats depart from Las Grutas, San Antonio Oeste and Puerto del Este; trips depend on the tide schedule and weather conditions. They follow the coast of the gulf and offer the opportunity to snorkel in the warm waters of San Antonio Bay. If you want to focus your trip on boat-based wildlife watching and the sea, this provides a clear starting point for choosing where to stay.

Scuba diving in all its forms is also offered in Las Grutas. In addition, all visitors can take part in an introductory dive. A diving platform is located in the Parque submarino de Las Grutas, opposite the third Bajada. From there, you can take a traditional introductory dive to a submerged rock formation. The site is 3 to 6 metres deep and is home to numerous Patagonian underwater species. This makes the specific diving options and a particular underwater site distinct attractions alongside the boat trips.

Promenade, Art and Regional Products

The Las Grutas waterfront promenade was built along the cliffs by artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. There is also a handicraft fair along the promenade. If you are interested in art and local handicrafts as well as activities on the water, you can take these into account when planning your trip. Another way to discover products from the area is Olivos Patagónicos in Las Grutas, which offers free tours of its facilities as well as tastings. Its products and goods made from them are also for sale.

One cultural event announced for Las Grutas was the 32nd edition of the Fiesta Nacional del Golfo Azul. It was scheduled for Friday, March 17, to Sunday, March 19. These dates refer to that edition of the festival; they do not indicate a future event date.

Coastal Towns North and South of Las Grutas

Five kilometres south of Las Grutas is Piedras Coloradas, within the Área Natural Protegida Bahía de San Antonio. This quiet, unspoilt beach is characterised by a reddish massif dating back to the Precambrian, 500 million years ago, and a system of large dunes. Activities offered there include sport fishing, snorkelling and sandboarding. The place combines a striking geological landscape with a range of activities on the beach and in the water.

La Rinconada, a quiet coastal town, lies 2 kilometres north of Las Grutas. A parador recently opened there, offering everything needed for a day outdoors. The different locations and landscapes provide further points to consider when planning your excursions: Piedras Coloradas is south of Las Grutas, while La Rinconada is to the north.

Tailor Your Stay

If boat trips and the diving area are your main priorities, you can focus your search for a holiday apartment on Las Grutas itself: the boat trips described depart from there, and both the waterfront promenade and the Parque submarino are in town. If you are especially interested in dunes, the reddish massif or sandboarding, you can plan a trip to Piedras Coloradas to the south. Handicrafts and the tours, tastings and products at Olivos Patagónicos add further options in Las Grutas to explore. This way, you can choose accommodation based on what you most want from your stay.

Other destinations at the same level: Playas Doradas, San Antonio Oeste.

View the broader travel overview: Departamento San Antonio.