|
|
What to see and do
Undoubtedly the highlight for many visitors is the handful of outer islands scattered around the edges of East and West Falkland, accessible by plane and in some cases by cruise ship and boat. Each island offers something different to its neighbour, both in terms of flora and fauna and natural beauty. | Bleaker Island
| | Bleaker Island is a 30-minute flight south west of Stanley and is open all year round. Within 3km easy walk of Cobb’s Cottage you will find large breeding colonies of gentoo penguins, Magellanic penguins and imperial shags. Listed as an ‘Important Bird Area’, the land north of the settlement is a designated national nature reserve. Land owners: Mike & Phil Rendell (Ph 21084 and 32491) E-mail: mrendell@horizon.co.fk Access: 30-minute flight from Stanley with FIGAS or scheduled cruise visit Flora/fauna: Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins, sea lions, white-tufted and silvery grebe, silver teal, flying steamer ducks, yellow orchid Activities: Walking, photography Accomodation: Cobb’s Cottage (self catering) Ph 21084 and 32491 E-mail: mrendell@horizon.co.fk | Carcass Island
| 
| Carcass Island, named after HMS Carcass has had just three environmentally conscious owners and neither rats nor cats. This care and freedom from predation has made a difference that is immediately evident and needs to be experienced rather than described. Carcass Island offers you the pleasure of eating the island’s own organically grown meat in the main house, where comfortable full-board accommodation is available. Enjoy a stroll around the stunning established gardens surrounding the house. Land owner: Rob & Lorraine McGill, Ph 41106 E-mail: lorraine@horizon.co.fk Access: FIGAS (followed by a 20-minute drive to the settlement by prior arrangement), or scheduled cruise visit Flora/fauna: Several small bird species including Cobb’s Wren, blacked-chinned siskin and Falkland thrush; Magellanic and gentoo penguins; Peale’s dolphin; fuchsia, gorse and cypress around the settlement Activities: Sandy beaches, walking, birdwatching, meals Accommodation: Carcass Island (full board) Ph 41106 E-mail: lorraine@horizon.co.fk | George and Barren Islands (available for cruise ship passengers only)
|
| George and Barren form the southernmost working farm in the Falklands. The islands are free from introduced species such as rats. The small bird population thrives with many breeding pairs of tussac birds and Cobb’s wren. They share the islands with elephant seals, southern sea lions, abundant southern giant petrel colonies and gentoo and Magellanic penguins. Both islands are recognised as “Important Bird Areas”. Although there is no accommodation for land-based visitors on these islands, they are frequented by the smaller cruise ships. Access: Cruise ship landing Flora/fauna: Cobb’s wren and other small birds, southern elephant seals, sea lions and colonies of gentoo and Magellanic penguins Activities: birdwatching, walking, photography | New Island (available for cruise ship passengers only)
|
| The most remote of all the inhabited islands in the Falklands archipelago, New Island is a popular destination for small expedition ships which enjoy the stunning scenery, birdwatching, offshore dolphin sightings, as well as penguins, sea lions and fur seals. The entire island is a Nature Reserve and is home to over 40 of the Falklands’ breeding bird species. Ship passengers land steps away from one of the oldest building in the Falklands; built in 1812-13, the Charles Barnard building, having been carefully restored now houses a small museum and visitor centre. The island currently has no accommodation for land-based visitors. Access: Cruise ship landing Flora/fauna: thin-billed prion, black-browed albatross, peregrine falcon, South American fur seal, lady’s slipper, vanilla daisy and other endemic plant species Activites: Birdwatching, hiking, photography | Pebble Island
| 
| Some 24 miles long, Pebble Island’s settlement sits on a narrow neck of land close to a sandy beach which sometimes doubles as an airstrip. Pebble Island is scenically attractive, the mountainous western half contrasting with the grassy plains of the east, and has some of the most important wetlands and wildfowl breeding areas in the Falklands. It also supports a number of penguin colonies and concentrations of sea lions. Overland tours are a must to explore all habitats of this island – led by experienced driver/guides. Pebble Island is one of the most visited sites in the Falklands. Access: FIGAS or scheduled cruise ship landing Flora/fauna: Several species of water fowl and wading birds, rockhopper, gentoo, macaroni and Magellanic penguins, imperial shags,sea lions, southern elephant seals and several endemic plant species including vanilla daisy, and Falkland woolly ragwort Activities: Hiking, picnicking, 4WD excursions, military history Accommodation: Pebble Island Lodge (full board) Ph 41093 E-mail: pebblelodge@horizon.co.fk |
Saunders Island
|
| Saunders Island is often touted as one of the jewels of the Falklands – a 31,000-acre island teeming with bird life. Owned by the Pole-Evans family, the island offers unrivalled access to nesting black-browed albatross, and all five breeding species of penguin during a good season. Saunders’ combination of wildlife and natural beauty affords some of the best wildlife photography opportunities in the world. The Neck, located on a narrow isthmus of sand, is home to king, gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, and also frequently visited by Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins and many seabird species. Further along the north coast, the Rookery provides instant access to nesting black-browed albatross, and a large colony of rockhopper penguins and cormorants. Land owner: Pole-Evans family (Ph 41298) E-mail: davidpe@horizon.co.fk Access: FIGAS or scheduled cruise ship laniding Flora/fauna: Black-browed albatross and rockhopper penguin colonies, southern elephant seals, and eight endemic plant species Activities: Photography, camping, hiking Accommodation: Self catering (multiple locations), camping | Sea Lion Island
| 
| Sea Lion Island, which is five miles long and just over a mile wide at its widest point, is just the right size to spend a day exploring. Beautiful tussac plantations cover one fifth of the island and provide a perfect habitat and protection for much of the island’s varied fauna, including elephant seals and sea lions. Besides the tussac, there are sand beaches, cliffs, freshwater ponds and heathland, all with their own wildlife, and all within walking distance of the purpose-built lodge. The 47 different species of breeding birds to be viewed on the island include four species of breeding penguins and five different birds of prey. Every year brings exciting sightings of vagrants. Pods of killer whales circle the island in pursuit of the elephant seals and sea lions that breed there. Leopard seals and larger whales are also seen from time to time. Comfortable accommodation is available at Sea Lion Lodge, and guided tours of the island are also on offer. Access: FIGAS or scheduled cruise visit Flora/fauna: orcas, southern sea lions, southern elephant seals, several bird species including eight resident songbirds, four species of breeding penguin, water fowl and wading birds, tussac plantations Activities: Photography, hiking, guided tours Accommodation: Sea Lion Island Lodge (full board) Ph 32004 Fax 32003 E-mail: sealion_lodge@horizon.co.fk | Weddell Island
| 
| Weddell is the largest offshore island in the Falklands group – offering 63,000 acres and many spectacular miles of coastline for exploration. Though Weddell suffered from the introduction of land-based predators like the Patagonian fox during the mid 1900s, the island still offers access to a variety of wildlife such as gentoo and Magellanic penguin, striated caracara, and variable hawk. Excellent hiking can be had for moderately fit visitors, with several marked trails to the ruined settlements of Kelp Creek and Chatham harbour. Access: FIGAS or scheduled cruise ship landing Flora/fauna: Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins, gentoo and Magellanic penguin Activities: Self-guided exploration, hiking, camping Accomodation: Self catering in Gull Harbour (Ph 22432) E-mail: m.h.beaton@horizon.co.fk or camp at sites scattered across the island | West Point Island
|  
| This small island lying off the northwest corner of West Falkland is normally only visited by small adventure cruise ships, but is now opened up to land-based passengers by taking a full day excursion by boat from nearby Carcass Island. The main destination for visitors to this island is Devil’s Nose – a rocky promontory which is home to over 2,000 pairs of black-browed albatross along with about 500 pairs of rockhopper penguins. As well as the rich wildlife, the picturesque settlement and small harbour often teaming with dolphins makes this island well worth a visit. Land owner: Roddy Napier Access: Scheduled cruise ship visit or full day boat excursion from Carcass Island Flora/fauna: Black-browed albatross, rockhopper penguin, rock shag, striated caracara Activities: Birdwatching, walking, photography | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
Gallery
| Title |
Jubilee Villas... |
| Image |
Jubilee Villas, Stanley
|
| Description |
Jubilee Villas, Stanley |
| Link |
view |
|
What to see & do
