A unique experience hopping between the wild and remote Falkland Islands' major wildlife hotspots on this tailor made itinerary. Search for up to five species of penguin, southern elephant seal, black-browed albatross and much more.
A mecca for wildlife watching in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falkland Islands are a dream destination for many wildlife enthusiasts and our ‘Highlights of the Falkland Islands’ holiday takes you to prime locations to observe the best the islands have to offer. With stays in comfortable guest houses and settlements, spectacular landscapes, and colonies of thousands of penguins and albatross right on your doorstep, there's very little not to love about the islands. Due to the lack of terrestrial predators and rats, the birdlife is completely at ease and take minimal notice of humans, which means you can immerse yourself within the colonies and watch the birdlife up close.
Each island has its own character and charm, with some being particular haunts for certain species. This itinerary ensures that you are best situated to find rockhopper, gentoo, Magellanic, macaroni and king penguins throughout your trip, and you can also encounter black-browed albatross among a host of other bird species. Giant southern elephant seals can on occasion be seen fighting for mating rights, and orcas sometimes patrol the coastline in the hope of preying on elephant seal pups or Antarctic fur seal and South American sea lion.
This trip is fully customisable, whether you wish to spend more or less time at a certain location or explore mainland South America, where you can experience the vast wilderness of Patagonia, tracking pumas in Torres del Paine or a journey into the Amazon Rainforest. We can create bespoke tours for you and assist with whatever you have in mind. Speak to our team to start planning and find out more about your available options.
Fly from London via São Paulo to Santiago, Chile.
On arrival in Santiago, once you've collected your bags and departed the terminal building, you will find your hotel just a short walk away. After checking in, the rest of the day is free to spend as you please and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport, 1-night
After an early morning wake up, you make your way back across to the international terminal to check in for the flight south to Punta Arenas and onward connection to Mount Pleasant airport in the Falkland Islands. On arrival, you're met and transferred to your accommodation in Stanley – a drive of just under one hour. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the capital.
Accommodation: Malvina House Hotel, 1-night
This morning you're collected and returned to the airport where you board a flight and head west across the archipelago to Carcass Island. Here you can find wildlife on the doorstep and hosts who will happily offer to drop you off and pick you up around the island.
Accommodation: Carcass Island Farm House, 2 nights
This morning you take a short flight east to Saunders Island, once you've become familiar with your accommodation, there's the opportunity to venture out to explore your new surroundings.
A highlight of any trip to the Falklands, Saunders Island is home to some of the archipelago’s most sought-after species. It's on Saunders where you can find a colony of black-browed albatross numbering some 12,000 pairs, and encounter your first king penguins.
Accommodation: The Rookery Inn, 2 nights
Heading east today, you take another short flight to Pebble Island, where you can find swathes of penguins and other abundant birdlife.
Accommodation: Pebble Island Lodge, 2 nights
This morning after breakfast, you're transferred the short distance to the airport where you take a small aircraft flight to Bleaker Island, home to just two residents who are your welcoming hosts. Once you have settled into your accommodation, there's time to search for the island’s numerous natives on foot, until the sun sets, and it's time to return for dinner.
Accommodation: Bleaker Settlement, 2 nights
Today you journey south on a flight to Sea Lion Island, with time to navigate the island by foot after you have checked into your accommodation. Sea Lion Island is home to the largest of elephant seal colonies in the Falklands, with up to 1,800 individuals!
Accommodation: Sea Lion Lodge, 3-nights
You have two full days to enjoy everything that Sea Lion Island has to offer. There's the chance to see enormous bull elephant seals, measuring over four and a half metres in length and weighing close to four tonnes, defending their harems from other males. Pups are sometimes seen taking to the sea for the first time, utilising the small pools at the edge of the water. It's these pools that certain orca have learned to infiltrate, snatching an unsuspecting pup before retreating to the open sea.
In addition to the numerous southern elephant seals, there's time to appreciate the island's magnificent birdlife with colonies of gentoo, Magellanic and rockhopper penguins all on view. In November, many of the island's breeding birds will either be incubating eggs or tending to young, trying their utmost to protect them from southern giant petrels, brown skua and opportunistic striated caracara.
For those willing to take the time to find them, endemic Cobb’s wren and tussock-bird are possible, as are austral thrush, black-chinned siskin and dark-faced ground tyrant.
Today you return to Stanley, where the remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure. There's plenty to see and do around the city, or you can simply relax at the hotel.
Accommodation: Malvina House Hotel, 2-nights
Awake for an early morning start, driving for approximately three hours to Volunteer Point, which is the site of a large king penguin colony (approximately 1,200 birds). The colony is centred around Volunteer Beach, and this is where you spend today. With a large sandy beach, it's a truly picturesque place to observe these beautiful birds as they come ashore and head out to sea.
In addition to the king penguins, there's a further chance to view both Magellanic and gentoo penguins before returning to Stanley in the evening.
After a leisurely morning, you're collected for your transfer to the airport and begin the journey home, flying back to Santiago via Punta Arenas with all of your fantastic memories to accompany you.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport, 1-night
Fly from Santiago to London via São Paulo.
The islands’ capital is located on East Falkland around a picturesque harbour, and is a lively small, historic town, with a distinctly British feel. It’s a pleasant place to relax or perhaps visit nearby sites such as Volunteer Point, with its large colonies of king, Magellanic and gentoo penguins. Find Out More about {acc:title}
This isolated, low-lying island off the south-east coast of East Falkland has wide sandy bays and sheltered coves – it is small and flat, so walking between bird colonies is easy. Of interest is its large colony of rockhopper penguin (over 750 pairs), and its many pools are home to large numbers of waterfowl. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Named after the survey vessel on which Horatio Nelson served, the island avoided introducing cats and rats, therefore the wildlife has no predators and are approachable. Devil’s Nose is home to 2,000 breeding pairs of blackbrowed albatross and 500 pairs of rockhopper penguins, an amazing sight. Find Out More about {acc:title}
One of the largest islands in the West Falklands, Pebble Island combines grassy plains and wetlands in the east with moorlands and mountains in the west. Its sandy beaches and rocky cliffs provide shelter to sea lions and penguins – with all five breeding species seen here. Find Out More about {acc:title}
The second largest of the Falklands Islands, Saunders was the site of the first British settlement in 1765. The north is made up of two peaks, divided by a thin strip of sand known as the Neck - home to large colonies of Magellanic and gentoo penguins, and considered one of the best wildlife sites of the Falklands. Find Out More about {acc:title}
The most southerly inhabited island, featured in many prize-winning photos, is quite small, so easy to explore. Much is covered with tussock grass, creating a perfect habitat for colonies of elephant seal and sea lions. The sandy beaches, cliffs, freshwater ponds and heathland are home to 47 bird species. Find Out More about {acc:title}
A unique sub-Antarctic archipelago consisting of nearly 800 islands, the Falklands are home to an exceptional array of wildlife onshore including southern elephant seals, fur seals and sealions as well five species of penguin. Offshore, you can expect to see Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins and several whale species. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Home to only two inhabitants, Bleaker is an isolated island, ideal for those who want to discover the Falklands off the beaten track and fully appreciate the unique environment. The wildlife is conveniently located close to the settlement where two of the four houses accommodate visitors. Find Out More about Bleaker Island Settlement
Accommodation on Carcass Island is in a small settlement which is home to only seven residents. Visitors stay in the owner’s house, with all meals taken with the family. The island is self-sufficient in organic vegetables, meat and dairy products, all of which you will be able to sample. Find Out More about Carcass Island Homestay
Situated in the heart of Stanley, Malvina House is considered the town’s premier hotel, and offers beautiful views overlooking the natural harbour. It has 72 en suite rooms, a large bar-lounge area, spa and sauna and is only a few minutes’ walk from shops, pubs and historic sites and monuments Find Out More about Malvina House Hotel
Pebble Island Lodge is a comfortable friendly accommodation which was formerly the farm manager’s house and focal point of this 8,000 hectare estate. Your hosts will lead off-road tours in 4x4 vehicles, and boat trips to neighbouring islands offer an opportunity to see ocean birds such as black-browed albatross. Find Out More about Pebble Island Lodge
The only purpose-built tourist lodge in the Falklands Islands, Sea Lion Lodge is one of the most luxurious places to stay on the archipelago, and affords some spectacular views of the South Atlantic. It offers a level of comfort and amenity you might not altogether expect in such a remote location. Find Out More about Sea Lion Lodge
