Tailormade Falkland Islands

The capital of the Falklands, Stanley, is situated in the north-east of East Falkland and, with a population of just over 2,000, it is widely cited as the smallest capital in the world. It is a pleasant place to spend a couple of days, with some good restaurants and an excellent museum, but it also provides access to some important sites in the surrounding area. Of most significance is Volunteer Point, which is home to the largest breeding colony of King Penguins on the islands.

Sea Lion Island is the most southerly inhabited island of the Falklands. Measuring only 5 miles long and just over a mile wide, it is possible to explore the whole island on foot. With large stands of tussock grass and a rat-free environment, the island is home to 47 species of breeding birds, including five species of penguin and the endemic Cobb’s Wren. The island also boasts the largest population of Southern Elephant Seals in the Falklands (up to 1,800), a small colony of Southern Sea Lions and a resident pod of Killer Whales.

In over 100 years of habitation, Carcass Island, named after HMS Carcass, has had three environmentally conscious owners who have avoided the introduction of rats and cats; this care, and the freedom from predation, has helped to preserve the island’s rich natural heritage. The island hosts large colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins, a small number of Southern Elephant Seals, and a variety of sought-after landbirds such as Tussock-bird, Long-tailed Meadowlark and Striated Caracara. One can also take a boat trip from Carcass Island to West Point Island, where thousands of Southern Rockhopper Penguins and Black-browed Albatrosses can be found nesting on the cliffs.

Situated toward the south-east of East Falkland, Bleaker Island hosts a small working sheep farm. The island itself is roughly 12 miles long, 1 mile wide at its widest, and fairly flat, making it an ideal location for visitors looking for easy walks along the long sandy beaches. The island is home to a large colony of Southern Rockhoppers, with over 750 pairs, along with colonies of Magellanic Penguins and 1,300 breeding pairs of Gentoo Penguins. Long sweeping bays, areas of tussock grass and ponds provide superb habitat for many other bird species, including both White-tufted and Silvery Grebes and Black-necked Swan. An impressive colony of over 4,000 pairs of Imperial Shag is within a few minutes’ walk of the well-kept settlement and your accommodation.

Named after the unusual and attractive pebbles found on the beaches, this 40-kilometre-long island is the third largest in the archipelago. Sandy beaches, moorland and rocky peaks, extensive ponds and wetlands are home to some 42 breeding bird species including over 1,000 pairs of Imperial Shag, plus Gentoo, Magellanic and Southern Rockhopper Penguins. Eight of the Falkland Islands’ endemic plants grow on the island including the Vanilla Daisy and the Lady’s Slipper. Off-road tours offer the chance to visit both the eastern and western end of the islands, both offering an array of wildlife and historic sites.