Islands On The Edge - Falklands 2024 — Kevin Morgans Wildlife Photography

Islands On The Edge: Falklands 2024

2024 Dates

7th November 2024 - SOLD OUT

5th December 2024 - LIMITED PLACES

Location

Falklands

Price Including Flights

19 days from £8,995 pp

Price Excluding Flights

17 days from £7,995 pp

JOIN AWARD-WINNING SEABIRD PHOTOGRAPHER ON THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME TO EXPLORE THE PRISTINE WILDERNESS OF THE FALKLANDS

The Falkland Islands is an island paradise where the wildlife comes to you. They are located between latitudes 51° and 52° S and longitudes 57° and 62° W in the South Atlantic Ocean, situated approximately 650 kilometers off the south-eastern tip of South America. This archipelago consists of 778 islands, with the two main islands being East and West Falkland. East Falkland is home to the island's capital, Stanley, which is home to around 2,500 people, roughly 85% of the population. Throughout this trip, we explore the very best the Falklands has to offer, focusing on everything from its amazing birdlife to its stunning marine life.
The unspoiled environment of the Falklands coastline ranges from rugged coastal cliffs to miles of untouched white sandy beaches with endless horizons and vast open spaces, all connected by rocky headlands and underwater kelp forests. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, these islands are a mecca for nature and a must for any wildlife photographer or outdoor enthusiast looking to get off the beaten track and explore this pristine wilderness.
The Falklands truly are the ultimate experience for any photographer, being home to some of the world's rarest birds and mammals. In fact, more than 220 species of birds have been identified on the Falklands, including two endemic species: the Cobb's wren and the flightless Falkland's steamer duck. The five species of breeding penguins never fail to delight with their antics at sea and on shore; they are one of the many highlights of our time on the islands. Savour the unique opportunities as you sit alongside a penguin colony, whether it's the majestic king penguins at Volunteer Point, the feisty rockhoppers, Magellanic penguins, or raucous gentoo colonies that nest across the Falklands, each offering their own charm. Look a little closer, and you may even be lucky enough to find a macaroni penguin hiding in the colony. With each visit, there is always something new
For many, the highlight of any trip to the Falklands is the black-browned albatross colonies, and with 72% of the world's population calling these islands home, it certainly won't disappoint. During the trip, we visit the spectacular West Point, lying roughly an hour offshore from Carcass Island, home to a huge colony of albatross that breed on the island's rugged cliffs. But this won't be our only chance to see albatross on the trip; we also visit one of the Falklands' most iconic locations, The Neck, located on Saunders Island. Spending time with these magnificent birds will create memories you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Stunning seabirds breed along the Falkland Islands' coastline during the summer, from the southern giant petrel to the Falkland skua, each of which patrols the shores looking for an easy meal. Also, the impressive imperial shag colony on the wonderful Bleaker Island will give us endless photographic opportunities. But let's not forget one of the Falklands' most inquisitive and highly intelligent birds, the striated caracara locally known as "Johnny Rooks". Each encounter with these birds of prey is very special.
Also keep an eye out for marine mammals, such as southern elephant seals, the world's largest pinniped, which often bask in the sun or battle for territory. South American sea lions float in the shallows, and dolphins are often spotted surfing the waves. If we are lucky, we may even spot an orca hunting during our time on Sea Lion Island.
With the relaxed nature of these islands, wildlife encounters are often personal and not shared with large numbers of people. There aren't many places on the planet where the wildlife is more interested in you than vice versa, making these islands the perfect blend of relaxation and photography.

ITINERARY

If flight schedules allow, we will fly direct from London to Santiago, Chile.
On arrival in Santiago, we transfer to our centrally-located hotel, where we have the afternoon to spend at leisure.
Accommodation: Singular Hotel, 1-night
Early this morning, we transfer back to Santiago Airport for a flight south to Punta Arenas, with an onward connection to Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands.
On arrival, we transfer by road for approximately one hour to the town of Stanley, with the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the capital.
Accommodation: Malvina House Hotel, 1-night
From Stanley, we take a short flight to Bleaker Island, where a wealth of wildlife awaits. Amongst the many highlights are a large colony of imperial shags, rockhoppers, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, and southern sea lions. We have two full days to explore the island at our own pace, making the most of our time in the field and the morning and evening light.
Accommodation: Bleaker Island Settlement, 3-nights
We next fly to Sea Lion Island where we are likely to encounter our first southern elephant seals, alongside colonies of Magellanic, Gentoo, and rockhopper penguins, southern sea lions, and some of the archipelago’s passerine species such as the endemic Cobb’s wren, tussac bird, dark-faced ground tyrant, and white-bridled finch.
In November, southern elephant seal pups take to the sea for the first time, utilizing the small pools at the water’s edge. It's these pools that certain orca have learned to infiltrate, snatching an unsuspecting pup before retreating to the open sea.
Enormous bull elephant seals, measuring over four and a half meters in length and weighing close to four tonnes, are still present, defending their hareems from other males. If fights break out, it can make for some incredible photographic opportunities.
Accommodation: Sea Lion Lodge, 3-nights
After a short flight north-west across the archipelago, we arrive on Carcass Island for a three-night stay.
In addition to the now familiar Magellanic and gentoo penguins, and southern elephant seals, the interior of the island offers the chance of short-eared owl, long-tailed meadowlark, and black-throated finch.
If weather conditions allow, we take a boat trip to West Point, a small island of approximately 1,500 hectares that provides refuge to a large black-browed albatross colony and smaller numbers of rockhopper penguins. Both species are beautifully photogenic, and with the albatrosses constantly flying past at close quarters, there are plenty of opportunities to practice photographing them in flight.
The waters around the island are also a favourite haunt of both Commerson's and Peale's dolphins, and with luck, we may encounter both species on our journey over.
Accommodation: Carcass Island Homestay, 3-nights
We next fly east to Saunders Island, where we spend much of our time at an area known as The Neck. It is here that we're likely to encounter our first king penguins of the trip alongside gentoo, Magellanic, rockhopper and even the occasional macaroni penguins.
At the rookery, we find a colony of black-browed albatross numbering some 12,000 pairs, as well as imperial shags and striated caracara.
On the shoreline, we're almost certainly likely to encounter bizarre snowy sheathbills, a pigeon-like scavenger, as well as dolphin gulls, Falklands and blackish oystercatchers, endemic Falklands steamer duck and white-rumped sandpiper.
Accommodation: Saunders Island Cottages, 2-nights
Today we must leave Saunders Island and return to Stanley, where we have the remainder of the day to spend at leisure. There is plenty to see and do, and even to photograph in Stanley, or you can simply relax at the hotel.
Accommodation: Malvina House Hotel, 2-nights
Today we leave Stanley early in the morning and drive 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 we focus our efforts for the day. With a large sandy beach, it's the perfect place to capture iconic images of these beautiful birds as they come ashore and head out to sea.
As well as the king penguins, there is a further chance to photograph both Magellanic and gentoo penguins. This is our last full day on the Falkland Islands, and having a final opportunity to spend time with these magnificent birds should provide us with ample opportunity to experiment with new angles and capture a different range of images.
After breakfast, we transfer to Mount Pleasant airport for our flight to Santiago, via Punta Arenas.
On arrival in Santiago, we collect our bags and walk the short distance to the hotel, which is located just outside the airport entrance
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Airport Hotel, 1-night
The morning is free until we return to the airport for our flight back to the UK..
Arrive back in UK - End Of Tour