Falkland Islands

Sea Lion Island is the most southerly inhabited island in the Falklands group and lies 5 miles long and just over 1 mile wide at its widest point. As such, it is perfect for exploring on foot. The island is home to the largest colony of elephant seals in the archipelago, with up to 2,000 of these grumpy animals hauled up on the dazzling white sand beaches at the height of the breeding season. Small groups of the rare southern sea lion also breed here and can be seen on the rocky coastal ledges as well as in the spectacular tussock grass plantations that cover one fifth of the island. Rockhopper, gentoo and magellanic penguins can also be seen, whilst pods of orca are often spotted offshore.

The privately owned nature reserve of Volunteer Point, an impressive peninsula to the north of East Falkland can be reached overland by 4x4 vehicle. The beach of the same name is two miles long with white sand bordered by high grassy banks, leading down to rolling greens. This provides the ideal habitat for three species of penguin to breed – most notably, over 1,200 breeding king penguins – the largest such colony in the world outside of South Georgia. A lengthened breeding cycle means that there are always fluffy brown coated chicks to be seen. Gentoo and magellanic penguins also nest along the peninsula and over 40 species of bird have been recorded in this area including South American terns, rock cormorants and Falkland skua.