Saunders Island
Saunders Island is located in the northern part of the Falkland Islands. It is a working sheep farm, but also one of the premier wildlife destinations in the Falklands. The only settlement is located on the eastern portion of the island, with the highest concentration of wildlife found to the west at "The Neck".
The island has a population of 4 in the winter, which rises to 5 in summer. Tourists are welcomed between 15 September and 30 April.
Saunders Island is the site of the first British settlement of the Falkland Islands in 1765 at Port Egmont.
Get in
Most visitors arrive using the government air service. The landing strip is a short drive from the settlement and is well-maintained. Cruise ships have been increasingly adding Saunders to their itineraries, with many of them spending at least a half day at the neck.
See
The wildlife on Saunders is exceptional, especially at the Neck. Saunders boasts a huge colony of black-browed albatrosses, numerous rockhopper and gentoo penguins, magellanic penguins, occasional king penguins, and imperial cormorants. Elephant seals, black-necked swans, and other rare animals may also be seen.
Do
Hiking and wildlife are the highlights of this island. Landrover trips to the Neck are available for £30 (as of March 2007) for a return journey.
Eat
Everything on Saunders is self-catering. Basic food supplies such as eggs and bread can be purchased at the settlement. All of the lodging on the island provides basic cooking facilities.
Sleep
There are four lodging options on the island, each of which should be reserved well in advance by contacting David & Suzan Pole-Evans.
- 1 The Settlement, saunders@horizon.co.fk. Two buildings - a bunkhouse sleeping 10 and the storehouse sleeping 6 - each with kitchen 24 hour electricity, satellite TV and WiFi. £0 per person per night.
- 2 The Neck. There is a porta-cabin sleeping 8 at the Neck that offers running water, flush toilet, basic kitchen facilities, 24 hour power, and a gas heater. The wildlife is literally right outside the door. The one hour Landrover journey to the Neck is an additional cost. The Rookery sleeping 4 is also available. £70 per person on a shared basis, £20 for camping..
Connect
WiFi is available if you are staying in the settlement.
Go next
- Carcass Island
- Goose Green
- New Island
- Pebble Island
- Port Howard
- Sea Lion Island
- Stanley
- West Point Island