North Camp

The North Camp of East Falkland, strictly speaking, is the area north of a range of hills known as the Wickham Heights. There are many places to visit as easy day-trips from Stanley, but why not stay a while longer to soak up the experiences on offer?

Johnson’s Harbour is a pretty settlement of typical white washed, red-roofed buildings. Off-road tracks lead to Volunteer Point, home to the largest colony of king penguins on the Islands. This “must-see” wildlife site has a lovely long white sand beach as well as a fantastic range of birdlife, with the sights, sounds and scents of the king penguins a highlight.

To the north-west lie the settlements of Elephant Beach and Port San Carlos. Elephant Beach is situated on the edge of the Cape Dolphin peninsula with splendid sandy beaches, rocky shores, blowholes and caves. Ponds of varying sizes are scattered across the land. There is wildlife aplenty including sea lions, various species of birds and sometime dolphins. Port San Carlos is an excellent place for keen hikers and birders. Waterbirds swim on Paloma ponds; gentoo and Magellanic penguins inhabit the beautiful Paloma Beach whilst rockhopper penguins are on the rocky outcrop of Fanning Head.

South of the hills is San Carlos. A small museum gives an insight into the role of the settlement in the 1982 war and the cemetery corral is a pause for quiet reflection and a chance to pay respects to those who gave their lives. San Carlos has a café and the chance to try your hand at painting ceramics.

Accommodation is available at all the settlements.

Fitzroy and Bertha’s Beach make a great day trip from Stanley. Fitzroy has memorials for the 1982 war and the beach is a long stretch of white sand with abundant wildlife including waterbirds, gentoo and Magellanic penguins.