Falkland Islands Photo Adventure

Itinerary
The itinerary below is primarily to give you an idea of the logistics and transfer days/times. For location info and details of possible photographic opportunities, please read the section above.

 

JANUARY 21 - Arrival and overnight in Punta Arenas, Chile

There is only one flight into the Falklands every week from Punta Arenas. We don't miss that flight! We arrive a day early and stay overnight in Punta Arenas. We will use this time to do an orientation in the evening.

 

JANUARY 22 - Arrival and overnight at Stanley Island

We take the morning flight from Punta Arenas to Stanley Island. Our first night in the Falklands will be a quiet one. We will use this time to relax and recuperate from the long journey before we start 2 weeks of non-stop photography and wildlife viewing. We will have the chance to take a walk in the quaint downtown area and visit the local museum. Overnight in Stanley.

 

JANUARY 23 - Stanley Island - Volunteer Point 

The next morning, we set off on an unforgettable day trip to Volunteer Point where the world's largest accessible colony of breeding King Penguins eagerly awaits you. Volunteer Point was named after the ship Volunteer, which called at the islands in 1815, and is a privately owned nature reserve which forms part of Johnson's Harbour Farm. Being able to experience the sheer abundance of wildlife in their natural environment is beyond compare - there are colonies of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins here too, along with over 40 bird species including the South American tern, oystercatchers, and rock cormorants, to name but a few. Another jewel in the crown inviting your footprints is the remarkably stunning 2-mile-long white sandy beach with its rolling waves and clear waters resembling somewhere altogether tropical on a sunny day. You may even get the chance to share the sand with the odd basking sea lion! All your senses will be captivated and positively overwhelmed whilst forging everlasting memories. Exceptional photographic opportunities abound wherever you cast your eye.

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The journey is approximately 2–2.5 hours each way. En route, your driver-guide will talk you through the highlights and will be more than happy to answer any questions that spring to mind. Although we ask that a distance of at least 6m is observed between wildlife and visitors, it is not unusual for penguins to inquisitively approach you, which is a truly indescribable encounter. If you sit quietly, you should be fortunate enough to experience a plucky penguin chick coming to check you out! There are toilet facilities on site as well as a shelter. Overnight in Stanley.

 

JANUARY 24-26 - Pebble Island

After breakfast, we fly to Pebble Island where we will spend 3 nights. Located in the north-west of the Falklands, Pebble is known for its exceptional birdlife and varied habitats. The eastern end of the island is heathland with low cliffs and numerous ponds, attracting a wide range of waterfowl and wading birds, including one of the largest concentrations of black-necked swans, as well as red shoveler and cinnamon teal. Black-crowned night-herons, imperial cormorants, and peregrine falcons are also found here.

Along the coast and on the western side of the island, we will find a variety of penguin species including rockhopper, gentoo, Magellanic, and macaroni penguins, along with southern giant petrels and other seabirds. Commerson’s dolphins are also occasionally seen offshore.

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Since Pebble is a large island, we have arranged for a driver and vehicle for the 2 full days we will spend on the island, allowing us to move between key locations and maximize our time in the best conditions for photography.

 

JANUARY 27 - Saunders Island - The Neck

After a morning shoot on Pebble Island, we will transfer to The Neck on Saunders Island. The Neck is a remote location where we will be right at the beach where several penguins go in and out of the water. We will have to share 2 rooms amongst our group. There are 2 sets of bunk beds in each room. This is a very popular location because the photographic opportunities are outstanding. The isthmus of The Neck is flanked on both sides with sandy beaches. The long stretch of white sand to the north is irresistible. The whole area is bustling with birds. Magellanic penguins make their way ashore, gentoos congregate, and there is a small colony of king penguins.

 

JANUARY 28-29 - Saunders Island - The Settlement & The Rookery

We will be picked up from The Neck and transferred to the settlement this morning. This is one of the few places where visitors can see black-browed albatross. The bird is graceful in flight, but amusingly clumsy in landing. Nests are small stacks, somewhat precariously balanced on the cliffs, with fluffy grey chicks, once hatched, atop, waiting patiently for food. It’s easy to while away an hour or more just watching the activity. Close by are rockhopper penguins, and another birdwatching treat awaits. Along the coast is the “rockhopper shower,” where the birds wait for their turn under the refreshing falling stream. Imperial cormorants breed noisily alongside. The striated caracara is always on the lookout for a meal of any sort. Also around the island you’ll find water birds and endemic plants. The first 2 nights we will stay at the settlement and make two trips out to the rookery where the albatross are seen in abundance along with the birds mentioned above.

 

JANUARY 30-31 - Bleaker Island 

We transfer to Bleaker Island in the morning, a long, low-lying island known for its rich birdlife and varied habitats. With sandy beaches, freshwater lagoons, and areas of tussac grass, Bleaker offers a quieter and more intimate photography experience.
The island is home to gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins, often allowing for close, eye-level encounters. Bleaker also hosts one of the largest colonies of imperial cormorants in the Falklands, providing excellent opportunities to photograph nesting behavior and flight activity. The ponds attract a variety of waterfowl and wading birds, making this a rewarding location for diverse wildlife subjects.

 

FEBRUARY 1-2 - Sea Lion Island 

After a morning shoot on Bleaker Island, we transfer to Sea Lion Island. A true natural paradise located in the south-east of the Falklands’ group, this beautiful island has no steep hills to climb but does have high, rocky cliffs and spectacular wildlife. On lower-lying land, white sand beaches and large areas of tall tussac grass create alternative habitats and sheltered areas. Sea Lion Island has the largest colony of the world’s largest pinniped, the elephant seal, with almost two thousand individuals at the height of the breeding season in October. These huge animals bask lazily on the beach, idly flipping sand, making grunting noises, and occasionally opening an eye. Periodically, the peace is shattered as males rear up for a fight! This is one of the best places to look for orcas, which roam offshore, hopeful for prey, throughout the summer. In January, we can expect to see mostly juveniles and females.

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The great part of staying at the lodge is that there are two colonies of Gentoo penguins a short walk away. Walk a little further and we have access to two beaches that are great for viewing elephant seals, shore birds, and plenty of penguins coming and going in the water. There are many other small birds that frequent the small garden in front of the lodge as well.

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FEBRUARY 3 - Stanley Island

After a morning shoot on Sea Lion Island, we transfer to Stanley Island where we will be for two nights. After arrival, we will settle into the hotel and have an early dinner this evening as we plan to visit Volunteer Point for sunrise the next morning.

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FEBRUARY 4 - Stanley Island - Volunteer Point 

We will get up early to drive out to Volunteer Point for a sunrise shoot. As mentioned above, this drive takes just over 2 hours. Weather permitting, our plan is to be there at sunrise to take advantage of the early morning light and photograph the king penguins marching on the beach. We will spend most of the morning there photographing on the beach and at the penguin colonies. We will likely take a box lunch that we will eat on the way back. In the evening, you will have time to pack and prepare for our departure from the Falklands the next day.

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FEBRUARY 5 - Departure from the Falkland Islands

After breakfast we take the shuttle bus to the international airport and depart on our scheduled international flight back to Punta Arenas in Chile.

 

FEBRUARY 6 - Departure from Punta Arenas

Please note: depending on the timing of the international flights, you may need to stay an additional night in Punta Arenas before flying home. We highly recommend doing this anyway because flights from the Falklands could be delayed due to weather.