Falkland Islands, United Kingdom · Up-Close Animal Experiences

5-Hour Penguin Tour from Stanley with Bertha's Beach and Yorke Bay

5 Hours Round trip from Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Bertha's Beach, a RAMSAR wetland and globally Important Bird Area
02 Enjoy close-up views of hundreds of Gentoo penguins from as near as 6 m away
03 Take a short off-road drive along a stunning white-sand beach to the penguin colony
04 Stop at Yorke Bay to spot Gentoo, Magellanic, and usually King penguins
05 Discover Stanley's landmarks, including Christ Church Cathedral and Whalebone Arch

Go on an adventure out of Stanley to Bertha's Beach, travelling for about an hour mostly on a tarmac road, with a short, gentle spell off-road on grass and sand. Once there, you'll enjoy hundreds of Gentoo penguins from as close as 6 m away, and if you stay still, they may even come right up to you. Bertha's Beach is a very special place, recognised as a wetland area of international importance under the RAMSAR Convention and classified as a globally Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Back towards Stanley, you'll take in the stunning scenery of huge skies, stone runs, mountains, and the sea, with stops at Yorke Bay and optional Gypsy Cove to see Gentoo, Magellanic, and usually King penguins, before exploring Stanley's main landmarks.

Once there, you'll enjoy hundreds of Gentoo penguins from as close as 6 m away, and if you stay still, they may even come right up to you.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Bertha's Beach Penguins, Yorke Bay and Stanley

09:00 - Meet at the Lupin Tours desk at the Jetty Visitor Centre and start your day with a warm welcome to the Falkland Islands.
09:15 - Drive to Bertha's Beach and enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive on a tarmac road heading to this beautiful spot, where nature is at its best.
10:15 - Off-road adventure: experience a 15-minute off-road drive, mostly along a stunning white-sand beach, as you make your way to the penguin colony.
10:30-12:00 - Time with the penguins: spend 1 to 1.5 hours with the charming Gentoo penguins at their colony and on the beach. Watch them in their natural habitat and take plenty of photos of this incredible sight.
12:00 - Head to Yorke Bay: drive back towards Stanley, stopping at Yorke Bay to see Gentoo, Magellanic, and King penguins.
12:30 - Lunch at Yorke Bay: enjoy a delicious homemade lunch and refreshments at this picturesque location.
13:30 - Optional visit to Gypsy Cove: take a detour to Gypsy Cove, where you'll have the opportunity to spot even more wildlife.
14:00 - Tour of Stanley: take a guided tour of Stanley, the world's southernmost capital city. Explore its history, landmarks, and charm.
15:00 - Return to the Jetty Visitor Centre or drop-off in Stanley: the tour concludes with a return to the Jetty Visitor Centre, or we can drop you off at a location of your choice in Stanley.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ 1 city · 5 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

We believe in creating special experiences that respect nature and preserve our planet.
We provide water in recyclable aluminum cans and homemade sandwiches, including locally sourced fresh ingredients - many from Lupin Tours owner Roxy's garden (elderflower, rhubarb, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.).
Hot and cold drinks, including locally brewed beer from Falklands Beerworks, are included.
We partner with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every booking. This helps make a difference and offsets the tour's carbon footprint.
All excursions are private. We guarantee you will not share a vehicle with others outside your group. Our 4x4 vehicles comfortably seat four passengers, and sometimes we can accommodate 5 or 6 passengers in a vehicle.
You'll travel with a local who loves their home and wants to show it off to you and give you the best experience possible.
The scenery and wildlife of the Falkland Islands continue to take our breath away. Visitors are blown away by what they see and experience on our tours.
Travellers must be able to get in and out of a 4x4 vehicle and have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What's Not Included

Tips

What to bring

Camera
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Windproof jacket

Know before you go

Tour duration: the tour lasts approximately 5-6 hours, including travel time, penguin watching, and a tour of Stanley.
Fitness level: the tour involves light walking on uneven ground and on the beach at Bertha's Beach. At Yorke Bay, the walk to the penguins from the car park is 5-10 minutes through sand dunes. This part would not be suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
Weather conditions: the Falklands weather can be unpredictable. Dress in layered clothing and bring a windproof jacket. Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended as well.
Children: this is a family-friendly tour. We provide car seats for children, Falkland Islands-themed activity books and colouring pencils, kid-approved snacks, lunch, and drinks. Please notify us in advance if you have any children in your party.
Off-road driving: the tour includes approximately 15 minutes of off-road driving along a beach to reach the penguin colony, providing a bit of adventure. Our vehicles are equipped for this terrain.
Lunch and refreshments: a homemade lunch with refreshments is included in the tour. If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, let us know when booking.
Pickup and drop-off: the tour begins and ends at the Jetty Visitor Centre, but we can drop you off at another location in Stanley if preferred.
Eco-conscious tour: we are committed to sustainable practices. Lunch is served in eco-friendly packaging, and a tree is planted for every booking made with Lupin Tours.
Booking confirmation: book early, as spots are limited, especially during peak tourist season.