Rada Tilly Beach: South America's Southernmost Resort

Rada Tilly Beach runs roughly 4.2 kilometers along the Golfo San Jorge, between Punta Piedras to the north and the 167-meter Punta Marqués headland to the south. That geography makes it the southernmost sandy beach resort on the American continent — and a 15-minute drive from Comodoro Rivadavia via National Route 3. There is no entrance fee, no gate, and no reservation system. You park near one of the numbered bajadas (beach access stairways), walk down, and the sand is yours.

Wind is the defining feature here. It shapes everything: the size of the dunes, the way the tide pulls back to expose 400 to 600 meters of wet sand, and the schedule of the carrovela pilots who race wind-powered carts across the flats at low tide. Treat the wind as part of the plan rather than an obstacle and you'll enjoy this coast the way locals do.

Getting There and Orientation

From Comodoro Rivadavia

The beach sits about 12 to 17 kilometers south of Comodoro depending on which source you read, and either figure translates to a short highway drive. Head south on National Route 3 and follow signs for the Rada Tilly access road, then aim for the waterfront once you reach downtown. Taxis and rideshares from Comodoro are straightforward; a rental car gives you the most flexibility for exploring the Punta Marqués end of the beach.

Public transport is genuinely viable. Expreso Rada Tilly, identified as bus line 10, links the two cities daily from about 6:00 am until midnight. The full interurban fare has climbed over the past year — it sat at roughly 3,935 Argentine pesos per leg as of late 2025 — so check the current tariff before you travel, as fees are subject to change. Trips take around 20 to 47 minutes depending on your starting point in Comodoro.

From Puerto Madryn and Trelew

Driving from Puerto Madryn covers about 420 kilometers, roughly five hours south on Route 3. Trelew is closer at around 380 kilometers, or four and a half hours. Long-distance buses run this corridor, but a car lets you stop at the coastal viewpoints along the way — worth it if you have the time.

Finding Your Access Point

The beach is divided into numbered bajadas, and this is the single most useful thing to understand before you arrive. Bajada 30, at the corner of Avenidas Armada Argentina and Goleta Juliet, is the launch point for stand-up paddleboarding tours. The central promenade area around Bajadas 13 to 15 concentrates the lifeguard base, cafes, and the busiest swimming zones. If you want quiet, drive south toward the Punta Marqués side and pick a higher-numbered access — you'll share the sand with far fewer people.

What to Do on the Beach

Los Pozones at Low Tide

Near the area locals call Falsa Punta Marqués, the receding tide exposes a cluster of natural rock pools known as Los Pozones. They've become the beach's most popular family draw in recent summers, and for good reason: shallow, sun-warmed water, easy for kids, and free. The catch is timing. These pools exist only at low tide, so pull up a tide table before you go and plan your visit around it. Bring water shoes — the rock is uneven.

Wind Sports and Carrovelismo

Rada Tilly's wide, hard-packed low-tide sand made it a natural venue for carrovela, the wind-cart racing that draws spectators whenever conditions allow. If you're visiting in summer, ask locally about regattas or demonstration runs; they tend to happen on weekends when the gusts cooperate. Stand-up paddleboarding tours run from Bajada 30 for about US$45 and last 90 minutes, with Spanish-speaking instructors and free cancellation up to 12 hours ahead. Surfers get consistent beach breaks here too, best on southwest swells with west or northwest offshore winds.

Walking the Coast

The 4.2-kilometer strand is flat and firm, which makes it one of the better beach walks in Patagonia. At the southern end, trails climb Punta Marqués for views over the gulf and, on a clear day, along the cliffs toward Comodoro. Sea lions haul out on the rocks below the point — keep your distance and don't approach the water's edge on that side. Cycling on the beach itself is prohibited, a rule that's actually enforced.

When to Go and How to Stay Safe

Seasons and Weather

Summer runs December through March, with January averaging highs near 25°C and lows around 15°C — mild by Argentine beach standards, and the water is colder than the Buenos Aires coast. December, January, February, and March are the warmest and busiest months. November and March offer a good compromise: fewer crowds, decent temperatures, and better odds of calm days for photography or paddling. Winter is cold (July highs hover around 11°C) and very quiet.

Lifeguards and Water Safety

The lifeguard season runs from mid-December to March 15, with coverage Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 19:00 and weekends until 20:00. Eight bases spread along the beach plus a central base at Bajada 15. Outside those dates, assume no formal patrol. The flag system matters: green for calm, yellow for questionable conditions, red for no swimming, with numbered flags for colorblind beachgoers. Stay waist-deep at most, and never let children swim unsupervised — the Atlantic here can turn quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee or do I need to book?

No. Rada Tilly Beach is a public, free-access beach with no tickets or reservations. The only paid activities are guided ones like the 90-minute paddleboard tour from Bajada 30 (about US$45), which you can book online with free cancellation up to 12 hours before.

Can I get there without a car?

Yes. Expreso Rada Tilly (line 10) runs between Comodoro Rivadavia and Rada Tilly daily from 6:00 am to midnight, taking roughly 20 to 47 minutes depending on your departure point. Fares have risen to around 3,935 pesos per leg, so confirm current pricing locally.

When can I see Los Pozones?

Only at low tide. The rock pools near Falsa Punta Marqués are submerged the rest of the day, so check a tide table for your visit date and arrive with an hour or two of margin on either side of the low.