Description
If you’re looking for the chance to spend some time observing uninterrupted wildlife in dramatic landscapes, look no further than New Island. One of the most remote islands in the Falkland Islands, New Island is situated on the western edge of the archipelago and is renowned for its diverse array of wildlife, as well as some intriguing aspects of the region’s maritime history. Not only do over 40 species of birds breed on New Island throughout the year, including four species of penguin, but pods of Peale’s dolphins and seal colonies are often spotted by visitors along the coastline. You’ll also uncover what remains of the Falkland Islands’ only land-based whaling station on New Island, and an interesting museum to the island’s whaling history and wildlife overlooking the stunning Coffin’s Harbour. A destination that invites you to immerse yourself in the rugged landscapes that make the Falkland Islands such a joy to visit, New Island will prove a memorable port on your adventures in the South Atlantic Ocean.
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Things to do
Peale’s Dolphins
When you’re visiting the waters around New Island, you may have the chance to observe pods of Peale’s dolphins. A smaller species of dolphin, which is also found frequenting the waters around Tierra del Fuego in South America, Peale’s dolphins can grow to just over two metres when fully mature and feature a distinctly large dorsal fin, while having smaller flippers. They often congregate in smaller groups, often of about five, and frequent fast-moving waters. So, if you’re hoping to spot some, you’ll have a better chance if you keep your eyes on the waters around entrances to narrows and small channels.
Rockhopper Penguin
A smaller species of penguin, rockhopper penguins are among the most fascinating species of penguins in the world, and one of the four species you’ll find breeding on New Island. Known for their red eyes, spikey black and red feathers on their head, and pale pink webbed feet, these penguins often frequent rugged, rocky environments. This unique habitat, at least for a penguin, means they can’t slide around on their bellies like other species. Instead, rockhopper penguins have adopted a unique hopping technique to move around, hence the species’ name.
Barnard Building
An interesting historic stone building constructed in the early 1800s by American sealer Captain Charles Barnard, the Barnard Building is home to a museum that explores Barnard’s life, the Falkland Islands’ whaling history, and the wildlife you’ll have the chance to observe on New Island. It’s an unsuspecting structure from the outside, but overlooks the scenic Coffin’s Harbour – just one part of this island that’s great for wildlife sightings.