Named after HMS Carcass which visited in the late 18th century, Carcass Island is located in the northwest of the Falklands archipelago. It has been said that when the sun is shining this is one of the most beautiful of the islands, with rolling green hills contrasting with vibrant yellow gorse, white sand beaches and the deep blue sea. And it is also the gateway to West Point Island and the Jason Island group.
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Carcass Island is a carefully managed farm with sheep and cattle, but as with many other destinations, this works well in tandem with tourism.
The terrain is varied with rocky ridges, steep cliffs, open plains, white sand beaches and pretty coves. It is an Important Bird Area with many ground nesting birds including the endemic Cobbs’s wren and songbirds such as the tussac bird, ground tyrant, pipit, thrush, long-tailed meadowlark and grass wren who benefit from its cat and rodent free status. Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins breed on the island and there are many Striated Caracaras providing many hours of viewing entertainment event just around the lodge (but be careful not to leave your belongings unattended as the caracaras love anything shiny and new to them!). It is also one the of few other places beyond Sea Lion Island where you can see Southern Elephant Seals. |
The colour and coconutty scent of the gorse bush flowering in the early summer, along with the New Zealand flax and cabbage palms give Carcass Island such a different, even slightly tropical, feel to much of the rest of the Falklands, and makes for fabulous photos as you look down on the settlement from the island’s high point at Mount Byng (214 m/700 feet).
Accommodation & Tours :
Carcass Island House (sometimes referred to as The Manager’s House) offers comfortable full board accommodation in six bedrooms. As with all good farmhouses the kitchen and dining area are focal offering visitors superb hospitality and food a plenty! Home grown vegetables, organic meat and dairy produce are prepared in true “camp” style. A lounge with honesty bar and a sun room provide public areas in which to relax at the end of the day.
Tours of the island are on a “as available” basis but you’re very likely to catch a lift out to the northwest end of the island when the lodge staff are meeting the FIGAS flights, and then you can enjoy a leisurely stroll back.
Or a very pleasant 3 km/2 mile walk eastwards will get you to the 1 km long Leopard Beach – a wildlife hotpot.
The opportunity to visit West Point Island and see the black-browed albatross should not be missed whilst on Carcass Island. A one hour trip in each direction on the catamaran Seaquest makes for a beautiful day out, no doubt involving some dolphin spotting enroute.
Carcass Island House (sometimes referred to as The Manager’s House) offers comfortable full board accommodation in six bedrooms. As with all good farmhouses the kitchen and dining area are focal offering visitors superb hospitality and food a plenty! Home grown vegetables, organic meat and dairy produce are prepared in true “camp” style. A lounge with honesty bar and a sun room provide public areas in which to relax at the end of the day.
Tours of the island are on a “as available” basis but you’re very likely to catch a lift out to the northwest end of the island when the lodge staff are meeting the FIGAS flights, and then you can enjoy a leisurely stroll back.
Or a very pleasant 3 km/2 mile walk eastwards will get you to the 1 km long Leopard Beach – a wildlife hotpot.
The opportunity to visit West Point Island and see the black-browed albatross should not be missed whilst on Carcass Island. A one hour trip in each direction on the catamaran Seaquest makes for a beautiful day out, no doubt involving some dolphin spotting enroute.
The Environment :
In over 100 years of habitation Carcass Island has had three environmentally conscious owners who have avoided the introduction of rodents and cats. This care and freedom for predation has made a difference that is immediately evident with the variety and abundance of birdlife.
The current leaseholders of the tourism business aim to continue working as sustainably as possible. Carcass Island is largely self-sufficient in organic vegetables, meat and dairy products; reusable packs and bottles are used for the picnic lunches, and they recycle wherever possible.
Solar panels provide the bulk of the electricity.
In over 100 years of habitation Carcass Island has had three environmentally conscious owners who have avoided the introduction of rodents and cats. This care and freedom for predation has made a difference that is immediately evident with the variety and abundance of birdlife.
The current leaseholders of the tourism business aim to continue working as sustainably as possible. Carcass Island is largely self-sufficient in organic vegetables, meat and dairy products; reusable packs and bottles are used for the picnic lunches, and they recycle wherever possible.
Solar panels provide the bulk of the electricity.