Saunders Island offers perhaps one of the most iconic vistas of the Falklands with the splendid double aspect white sand beach at The Neck which also happens to be home to an amazing amount of wildlife. And on top of that it is a 30,000 acre working farm and site of the Falklands’ first British settlement. Well worth a visit!
Located in the north east of the Falklands archipelago, Saunders Island is one of the largest inhabited outer islands at circa 132 sq kilometres / 51 sq miles, and a 107 kilometre/66 mile coastline. The highest point is Mount Richards at 457 m/1499 feet, but a climb up the hill just behind the settlement will give you a magnificent view of the island and across the north of West Falkland on a clear day. |
The Black Browed Albatross colony stretches across the north coast from The Rookery to The Neck, and is interspersed with Rockhopper Penguins who can be found washing and preening under the natural shower created by fresh water running down over the cliff. A photographer’s dream location!
At the Neck, a handful of King Penguins enjoy the expansive beach sharing it with any number of shorebirds and geese, as well as the odd marine mammal and dolphins offshore. At the most westerly point, for those who are up for a decent hike, there is a colony of Southern Elephant Seals. And no visit would be complete with a wander around the coast from the existing settlement to Port Egmont to see the ruins of first British settlement in 1765. |
Accommodation & Tours :
It is all about the view on Saunders Island so we would recommend the rustic cabin at The Neck where you overlook the beach and have access to the diverse wildlife almost literally right on your doorstep.
The second option is at The Rookery on the north coast close to the penguin shower and offering fabulous views out to the ocean, and eastward towards Keppel Island.
Both options are self-catering accommodations (i.e. you need to cook for yourself) but we would fully recommend our precatered meal packs, or even better how about having a guide-come-chef accompany you so that not only do you have the benefit of local knowledge on tap, but you also have someone to cook up a storm while you sit back and enjoy wine with a view!
It is all about the view on Saunders Island so we would recommend the rustic cabin at The Neck where you overlook the beach and have access to the diverse wildlife almost literally right on your doorstep.
The second option is at The Rookery on the north coast close to the penguin shower and offering fabulous views out to the ocean, and eastward towards Keppel Island.
Both options are self-catering accommodations (i.e. you need to cook for yourself) but we would fully recommend our precatered meal packs, or even better how about having a guide-come-chef accompany you so that not only do you have the benefit of local knowledge on tap, but you also have someone to cook up a storm while you sit back and enjoy wine with a view!
The Environment :
Saunders Island is recognised as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.
Saunders Island is recognised as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.