Sea Lion Island

Sea Lion Island is truly a natural paradise with wildlife viewing opportunities just steps away from its purpose-built lodge. The island is operated solely as a wildlife tourist destination. The land is low-lying with sandy beaches, tussac grass plantations and open plains, though the island also boasts striking cliffs. It is easy to explore on foot.

This is one of the best places to see orcas which visit to hunt elephant seals throughout the summer, but most frequently between mid-November and mid-December when the pups are entering the sea for the first time. Sea Lion Island is the most important breeding site for elephant seals in the Falklands. Over two thousand of these spectacular, huge animals can be found here at the height of their breeding season in October.

And of course, as its name suggests, Sea Lion Island is home to southern sea lions. The best viewing time is during the summer months.

There are Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins. Being free from rodents and other introduced predators, the island has an abundance of ground-nesting birds including the endemic Cobb’s wrens and tussac birds. It is an “Important Bird Area” and National Nature Reserve.

Fifty-six species of flowering plants can be found here. It is the only known site in the Falklands for the Fuegian violet.

A memorial to HMS Sheffield, which was sunk 40 miles offshore during the 1982 conflict, is at Rockhopper Point in the west of the island.

Sea Lion Lodge is the only accommodation on the island and perfectly situated for wildlife observation with the elephant seals close by. Closer still are Magellanic penguins whose gentle braying sounds will lull you to sleep. Gentoos are nearby and southern giant petrels just a little further.