New Island

Ruggedly beautiful and remote, New Island is located at the extreme west of the Falklands’ archipelago. Dramatic cliffs contrast with sheltered sandy bays and natural harbours. New Island has a large concentration and great diversity of wildlife. It is also one of the driest places with an annual rainfall of less than 40cms (16”).

The pretty settlement overlooks Coffin’s Harbour, possibly named after a whaling captain. One of the earliest residents of the island was Captain Charles H Barnard of the whaler “Nanina”. He was stranded here with four crew members for around eighteen months in 1813/14. The ‘Barnard Building’ has origins dating back to 1813 and was restored in 2006 to house an interesting exhibition of whaling memorabilia as well as telling the story of Barnard and providing information about the island’s wildlife.

The remains of the first and only land-based whaling station in the Falklands are in South Harbour. The station closed in 1916 as operations were relocated to South Georgia where whale catches were larger. Look out for old penguin boiling pots. Of course, no sealing or whaling activities are practised in the Islands today.

Some of the best wildlife experiences are just a short distance from the settlement. At Settlement Rookery, formidable sea cliffs are home to black-browed albatross, king cormorants and rockhopper penguins creating an amazing cacophony of sounds. Great views are easy to find and time drifts away effortlessly whilst watching the rockhoppers landing in the surf and scaling the rocky heights before them and the albatross soar along the coastline.

Over forty species of birds breed on New Island including four species of penguin. Thin-billed prions are a highlight along with skuas, striated caracara and peregrine falcons.

Marine mammals are also plentiful. Peale’s dolphins breed in inshore waters, sea lions are often observed and fur seal colonies are found around the island.

Self-catering accommodation is available on the island itself. FIGAS flies to New Island, although the size of the airstrip currently limits the number of passengers per aircraft to two, plus luggage, and weather conditions can sometimes prevent landings for several days at a time.

For this reason the Trust only accepts bookings from Falkland Island residents or from scientists, film crews and those overseas tourists who will be spending several weeks in the Falkland Islands and whose schedule is sufficiently flexible to allow for these possible delays. In order to book self-catering accommodation please email their wardens.

Some cruise itineraries include New Island allowing visitors to explore the ‘Barnard Building’ and visit the wildlife sites.

New Island offers safe anchorages for private yachts.  Private yacht owners must follow customs and immigration procedures for entering the Falklands, but once this has been granted you need only obtain permission from NICT to come ashore.  This is best done in advance through email to arrange your visit.