Kelp Point Exclusive Wildlife Excursion
Strenuous Activity
Includes snack
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
What you will visit:
Kelp Point
The secluded home to a colony of seasonal elephant seals, Kelp Point lies on the eastern edge of East Falkland, approximately 1.5 hours from Stanley. Elephant seals are large, earless, oceangoing mammals that spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean. Once hunted to near extinction, they currently have recovered. Large, adult males (bulls) dwarf their female counterpoints and are known as 'harem masters,' breeding with several females. One study in the Falkland Island's concluded that harem masters produced as many as 125 pups.
These docile giants are often found sleeping on the course sand, in the leafy vegetation greens, or in the wallows. It is possible to safely get close to these animals for exceptional photographs.
Gentoo Penguin Rookery and Beach
Gentoo penguins have made themselves comfortable on a stretch of white-sand beach, littered with the remains of whale skeletons washed ashore. During the spring and summer months, the gentoo visit this spot, just a few steps from their rookery nearby. There are over 300,000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins, about 30% of the planet's population, on the Falkland Islands, and they do not migrate, preferring to hatch their chicks and live ashore. Depending on the weather, you may see all the penguins standing in the same direction as the chicks instinctively put their backs to the cold wind when it blows. Along the beach, upland geese are also a common sight.
What you will see along the way:
Drive through remote and varied landscapes from rocky hills and jagged cliffs to tussock paddocks and long stretches of sand against ice-blue waters. From the beach at low tide, glimpse the shipwreck of the St. Mary in a neighboring bay, where she wrecked on an offshore reef in 1890 on her maiden voyage.
Photo Opportunity:
In addition to the elephant seals and the gentoo penguins, exceptional nature photographs can be taken of such wildlife as upland geese, long-tailed meadowlark, turkey vultures, Falklands thrush, hawks and a variety of sea birds.
Lunch:
A packed lunched will be distributed at the gentoo rookery for you to enjoy amidst lovely scenery.
Points of interest
Kelp Point
Schedule
Special Notes
Ride will be bumpy. Pregnant women or guests with back or neck conditions are not allowed to participate. The drive is over extremely rough terrain in a 4x4 vehicle. Travel time to the site is approximately 1½ hours. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; penguin colonies can be seasonal.
Exceptional Value
Book shore excursions with confidence! We offer competitive pricing, friendly service and unmatched destination expertise.
Strenuous Activity
Includes snack
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
What you will visit:
Kelp Point
The secluded home to a colony of seasonal elephant seals, Kelp Point lies on the eastern edge of East Falkland, approximately 1.5 hours from Stanley. Elephant seals are large, earless, oceangoing mammals that spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean. Once hunted to near extinction, they currently have recovered. Large, adult males (bulls) dwarf their female counterpoints and are known as 'harem masters,' breeding with several females. One study in the Falkland Island's concluded that harem masters produced as many as 125 pups.
These docile giants are often found sleeping on the course sand, in the leafy vegetation greens, or in the wallows. It is possible to safely get close to these animals for exceptional photographs.
Gentoo Penguin Rookery and Beach
Gentoo penguins have made themselves comfortable on a stretch of white-sand beach, littered with the remains of whale skeletons washed ashore. During the spring and summer months, the gentoo visit this spot, just a few steps from their rookery nearby. There are over 300,000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins, about 30% of the planet's population, on the Falkland Islands, and they do not migrate, preferring to hatch their chicks and live ashore. Depending on the weather, you may see all the penguins standing in the same direction as the chicks instinctively put their backs to the cold wind when it blows. Along the beach, upland geese are also a common sight.
What you will see along the way:
Drive through remote and varied landscapes from rocky hills and jagged cliffs to tussock paddocks and long stretches of sand against ice-blue waters. From the beach at low tide, glimpse the shipwreck of the St. Mary in a neighboring bay, where she wrecked on an offshore reef in 1890 on her maiden voyage.
Photo Opportunity:
In addition to the elephant seals and the gentoo penguins, exceptional nature photographs can be taken of such wildlife as upland geese, long-tailed meadowlark, turkey vultures, Falklands thrush, hawks and a variety of sea birds.
Lunch:
A packed lunched will be distributed at the gentoo rookery for you to enjoy amidst lovely scenery.
Points of interest
Kelp Point
Schedule
Special Notes
Ride will be bumpy. Pregnant women or guests with back or neck conditions are not allowed to participate. The drive is over extremely rough terrain in a 4x4 vehicle. Travel time to the site is approximately 1½ hours. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; penguin colonies can be seasonal.