The itinerary is flexible due to weather, but the following represents a sample of what you can expect.
Sea Lion Island - The most southerly inhabited island in the archipelago is your first planned destination. The island is abundant in wildlife but features a very difficult landing area depending on sea conditions. After leaving Sea lion Island, sail back to the mainland coast and through the Eagle Passage, getting close to the following Islands before crossing Falkland Sound to the West:
George and Barren Islands - The southernmost working farm in the Falklands, these islands are free from introduced species such as rats and as a result the small bird population thrives. They share the islands with elephant seals, southern sea lions, Southern giant petrel, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins.
Albermarle - Come close to a large sea lion colony.
Weddell Island - Situated to the west of West Falkland is the largest and possibly the wildest of the offshore islands. It is a superb island for hiking, both up and around Mount Weddell with miles of spectacular coastline to explore. Weddell is home to a remarkable range of flora and fauna, including hawks and numerous smaller breeds. Albatross and Petrel can be observed offshore. Weddell Island is also home to other unique inhabitants, the Patagonian fox and a few reindeer which were introduced to the islands in recent years.
Beaver group – These islands lie to the west of Weddell Island and include, Split, Staats, and Tea Islands, which all have spectacular west-facing sheer cliffs and deeply indented coastlines. There are generally very steep slopes above eastern coasts with rocky shores, a few sand beaches and sheltered coves. Inland the islands are mountainous with many peaks exceeding 150 m and some above 200 m. Most of the smaller islands are low lying.
New Island - is located off Weddell Island to the far west of the West Falkland mainland. The most remote of all the inhabited islands in the Falklands, New Island is a popular destination for small expedition ships who 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. The island also features one of the oldest building in the Falklands, built in 1812-13, which has been restored and now houses a small museum.
Jason's - The Jason Island group is a chain of remote islands off West Falkland. Grand Jason, as its name suggests, is the largest of the group. Cat and rat free, it is home to a large number of small birds as well as black-browed albatross, striated cara-cara, rockhopper, gentoo and magellanic penguins. The islands are either privately owned nature reserves or government owned National Nature reserves. Unpredictable weather and strong tidal currents make landings difficult.
Carcass Island - located in the northwest of the Falkland group and one of the most picturesque outlying islands. Thanks to the careful stewardship of its landowners, Carcass is free of invasive predators, and the resultant profusion of songbirds gives the island a surreal natural ambiance. Shorebirds, including gentoo and Magellanic penguins, and marine mammals, including elephant seals, are some of the island’s wildlife highlights.
Westpoint - Explore Devil's Nose and Mount Ararat, where Black Browed Albatross and Rockhopper can been seen, discover Mount Ararat and if weather is favourable it may be possible to circumnavigate the island.
Saunders Island - boasts a wonderful colony of Black-browed Albatross and you can spend hours just watching and photographing these magnificent birds. As with nearly all wildlife in the Falklands, it’s possible to approach really close without causing any disturbance.
Pebble Island – A breeding ground for penguins, skuas, red-backed hawks, vultures, black-necked swans and many other waterbirds. The eastern side of the island has high conservation value due to the presence of large wetlands and ponds, critical habitat for Falkland waterfowl and wading birds. Southern sea lions can often be found resting at secluded spots around the coastline.
North Coast – A leisurey sail along the northern coast of the Falklands with it’s beautiful beaches and great wildlife, Cape Dolphin has three species of penguin, storm petrels, sea lions, the occasional whale and large numbers of ducks and birds.
Cape Bougainville - is a picturesque site on the north coast with rockhopper penguins, sea lions and southern giant petrels.
Berkeley Sound - affords the opportunity to try to spot whales, with spectacular blows often exhibited by various species of baleen whale. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins regularly accompany boats.
Kidney Island - an uninhabited mound of Tussac grass and sand which is the nesting grounds for large numbers of White-chinned Petrels and Sooty Shearwaters. The Tussac is full of Tussacbirds and Sealions which make use of the island and add a degree of excitement to any walks as startled animals crash through the grass. As evening approaches many of the seabirds will be congregating offshore and it is this gathering that we hope to witness to end our circumnavigation in style.
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