North Pond penguin tour

Visitors are invited to join Gus, Paula and their experienced team of local guides for a scenic tour to the north coast of East Falkland.

Guests are collected from Stanley for the one-and-a-half hour trip in a comfortable 4WD vehicle. The route passes through rock formations known as stone runs and remnants from the 1982 conflict with Argentina, including Chinook and Puma helicopters, concluding with a half hour off-road journey to reach North Pond itself.

"Up close and personal" is the description of the penguin experience. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins make their homes here; king penguins often visit. Guests can stroll along the beach and watch the penguins waddle between the sea and their nesting grounds. The pure white sand, crystal blue water and wildlife provide magnificent photographic opportunities. Peale's dolphins regularly play in the surf and many small birds can be seen. The endemic Falkland Flightless Steamer duck, upland geese and the strange-looking turkey vulture also inhabit these shores.

Time permitting, the return journey to Stanley is made along a more southerly road giving breathtaking panaromic views of the Falklands countryside, over the Verde and Port Sussex mountains and past Goose Green where over a hundred Islanders were held prisoner during the conflict of 1982. This route also passes the British Military base known as Mount Pleasant, opened by Prince Andrew in 1985.

A packed lunch is provided for this tour; toilet/bathroom facilities are available at North Pond.

Length of tour:
6 hours

How to book the tour:
- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager