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Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: King Penguins Tour


Rugged, windswept landscapes, lots of of cute penguins, and different fascinating wildlife. Appears like the right day journey vacation spot within the Falkland Islands? You wager it’s!

As one of many archipelago’s hottest wildlife websites, Volunteer Level is a nature lover/photographer’s paradise the place the journey begins even earlier than you even set foot on the place. 

Don’t consider me? Let me provide the ins and outs about all the things you might want to learn about Volunteer Level that may positively make your journey right here one in your bucket listing.

Seeing the Falkland Island's King Penguins at Volunteer Point by Helicopter is the BEST Tour

Seeing the Falkland Island’s King Penguins at Volunteer Level by Helicopter is the BEST Tour


What and The place Is Volunteer Level?

Volunteer Level is a headland positioned on the northeastern a part of East Falkland, the bigger of the 2 essential islands that make up the Falklands.  

The world is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot greatest recognized for its massive rookery of king penguins, attracting guests who come to see the penguins and benefit from the rugged great thing about the Falkland Islands.

It’s designated as a Nature Reserve and an Essential Fowl Space and can also be a part of Johnson’s Harbour Farm, a privately-owned farm within the Falklands. And though it’s comparatively distant, those that make the journey will certainly be in for a novel and unforgettable expertise.

Volunteer Point Falkland Islands

What to see and do at Volunteer Level?

Volunteer Level is really a nature lover’s paradise, providing guests an opportunity to see the native wildlife and scenic landscapes. Let’s take a look at among the greatest issues to do right here:

  • Volunteer Level’s essential attraction: its massive rookery of king penguins, one of many largest on the earth. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins are additionally current right here.
  • Fowl/Wildlife Watching: other than the penguins, there are additionally totally different chicken species like Falkland steamer geese, finches, in addition to southern elephant seals.
  • Pictures: With its gorgeous landscapes, numerous wildlife, and photogenic penguins, Volunteer Level is a photographer’s dream come true, so carry your cameras and seize the fantastic thing about the Falkland Islands.
Volunteer Point Falkland Islands King Penguins

About King Penguins

King penguins — they are going to certainly be one of many highlights of your go to to Volunteer Level. With their brilliant orange and black plumage, they’re a placing sight to behold, particularly once you see lots of of them going about their day across the shores of Volunteer Seaside.

King Penguins of Falkland Volunteer Point

These majestic creatures can develop as much as about 3 toes tall, second solely to the Emperor penguin (which is a foot taller.) Like most penguins, king penguins love consuming small fish (particularly lantern fish) and squid, which they hunt in depths of as much as 300m.

It’s additionally value noting that they virtually went extinct on the Falklands previously. However as we speak? Not solely are they thriving, however in addition they have one of many largest rookeries on the earth proper right here with over 1000 to 1500 breeding pairs.


Easy methods to go to Volunteer Level

Though Volunteer Level is sort of distant, getting right here is straightforward from Port Stanley. A method is by reserving a land tour from one among many tour operators like Viator, Estancia Excursions and Journey Falklands. These journeys will often take you on a 2 ½-ish hour of cross-country driving on a 4×4. As for automotive leases, you may solely drive as much as Port Louis from Stanley, because the final 14 miles of the journey to Volunteer Level is off-road with no indicators and tracks.

Annette and Peter Volunteer Point Falkland Islands Helicopter Ride

Nevertheless, if you wish to take your journey a step UP (actually!), you may skip the lengthy drive and fly there with Falklands Helicopter Companies. Whilst you will not be experiencing the Falklands’ nice outside up shut on a 4×4, the views from up excessive are breathtaking, and it’s not at all times that you simply’ll get the prospect to trip a helicopter. Let’s consider that it’s bucket listing worthy?

Whichever one you select, each ‘roads’ will certainly make for distinctive experiences that may make your go to an already memorable one.

P.S. You’ll have to test with the landowners prematurely earlier than you may go to Volunteer Level. They solely settle for guests when the off-road half is dry to keep away from the 4x4s being caught.

Volunteer Point Falkland Islands King Penguins

When Is the Finest Time to Go to Volunteer Level?

On the subject of one of the best time for visiting Volunteer Level, you may just about go any day of the 12 months. One factor about King Penguins is that they’ve a looong breeding cycle. This lasts for about 14 to 16 months, which is why it isn’t uncommon to see penguins at totally different levels of their lives at Volunteer Level all 12 months spherical.

From round September to November, grownup penguins who didn’t breed the 12 months prior will start a brand new breeding cycle. Throughout this time, you may see the penguins doing courtship rituals and mating. That is additionally the time the place older chicks start to molt away their brown feathers to disclose their signature white/black/orange plumage.

Volunteer Point Falkland Islands King Penguins

Egg laying/incubation interval begins from November to December, the place the mother and father take turns warming up the egg. Newly hatched chicks can principally be seen round January to February, hiding between their guardian’s toes of their distinguishable brown feathers. By March, you may see these chicks in teams waddling about briefly distances. As soon as winter comes (Might to September,) the adults go away for the ocean whereas the virtually absolutely grown chicks are left behind.

There’s additionally a lambing season right here (which occurs from October to December) the place new lambs are born.


Suggestions for Visiting Volunteer Level

Now that we’ve gone by means of the whats, wheres, whens, and hows, it’s time for some helpful suggestions that may assist make your go to to Volunteer Level a secure and fulfilling one.

  • Put on correct apparel – the climate across the Falklands is cool/chilly, so that you would possibly need to put on some heat clothes like jackets, hoodies, and many others. Climbing boots are additionally really helpful. For windy days, put on some sun shades to assist maintain the sand off your eyes.
  • Keep your distance – maintain a minimum of 20 toes (6 meters) of distance between you and wildlife. By no means get in the best way of any wildlife as effectively.
  • Observe the ‘Depart-No-Hint’ rule – as with all wildlife journey, at all times keep in mind to ‘take nothing however photos, go away nothing however footprints.’ Maintain any trash in your individual as you permit the place. And talking of images, flash isn’t allowed.
  • Be observant – maintain your eye out for any nests/burrows you would possibly come throughout to keep away from trampling over them, particularly within the hills.
  • Ebook prematurely – day journeys to Volunteer Level are one of the vital widespread excursions, particularly for visiting cruises. As slots are restricted, make sure you e-book prematurely.
Volunteer Point Falkland Islands King Penguins

With its gorgeous surroundings and interesting wildlife, it’s no marvel why a visit to Volunteer Level needs to be on everybody’s bucket listing. Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, images buff, or any sort of traveler, you’re in for an exhilarating journey as you discover the nooks and crannies of this distant spot within the Falkland Islands.

Finest Suggestions for Visiting Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level

Easy methods to Get to Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level:  Mount Nice (MPN) Airport is a significant hub and most airways will fly into it. You may simply test for one of the best fare offers at Skyscanner, which additionally has the choice to decide on ‘least expensive month’ because the departure to seek out the bottom priced dates to fly to your vacation spot.  Though Volunteer Level is sort of distant, getting right here is straightforward from Port Stanley. A method is by reserving a land tour from one among many tour operators like Viator, Estancia Excursions and Journey Falklands. Nevertheless, if you wish to take your journey a step up, you may skip the lengthy drive and fly there with Falklands Helicopter Companies.

Getting Round:  Driving in a brand new vacation spot generally is a little bit of a problem, however for those who select to lease a automotive, RentalCars.com has nice offers. If you’re not renting a automotive, there are many different choices. Taxis and Uber can be found everywhere in the metropolis. For a extra price range pleasant possibility, you may take the general public bus.

Finest Time to Go to Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: From round September to November, grownup penguins who didn’t breed the 12 months prior will start a brand new breeding cycle. Throughout this time, you may see the penguins doing courtship rituals and mating. That is additionally the time the place older chicks start to molt away their brown feathers to disclose their signature white/black/orange plumage.

The place to Keep close to Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: It’s greatest to remain close to town heart, public transportation or the world that you can be spending probably the most time in. Malvina Home Lodge, The Waterfront Boutique Lodge and Southernwind – Spareroom are nice decisions in Port Stanley. Or search some nice offers on inns of your alternative at Reserving.com. For those who’re in search of extra of a house environment (or are touring with a bunch of individuals), head over to VRBO that has homes, flats and even only a room for lease in each worth vary. 

Finest Tour in Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: You’ll find among the high excursions at Get Your Information or Viator, and listed here are among the high ones excursions:

Common Adapter: Your American plugged tools will want an adapter. I take advantage of the Celtic Common Adapter, which has introduced me all over the world with no issues.

This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. For those who make a purchase order by means of my hyperlinks, I earn a fee that helps to maintain this weblog working—at no additional value to you. For extra info learn my full disclosure.

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