FALKLAND ISLANDS Sea Lion Island

Sea Lion Island is one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago (just 5 miles long and just over a mile wide at it’s widest point), and the most southerly inhabited island, but it is still a prime destination with the sheer abundance of wildlife in such a small area making it a must on any Falklands itinerary.   

Beautiful tussac plantations cover one fifth of the Island and provide a perfect habitat and protection for much of the Islands’ varied fauna, including Elephant seals and Sealions. Besides the tussac, there are sand beaches, cliffs, fresh water ponds and heath land, all with their own populations, and all within easy walking distance of the purpose built lodge.

The 47 different species of breeding birds to be viewed on the Island include five species of breeding penguins and five birds of prey.  The internationally endangered Striated caracara, Antarctic skuas, Southern giant petrels, and a host of passerines can all be seen on this island. Every year brings exciting sightings of vagrants. Pods of Killer Whales circle the Island in pursuit of the Elephant seals and Sealions that breed there.   Leopard seals and larger whales are also seen from time to time.  Botany is exciting, with many plants and flowers to discover, many of these are quite rare, and a joy to see.

An introductory guided tour around the Island in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle will point out the main areas of interest and those spots not to be missed. Maps and information are readily available to compliment the tour, and subsequent exploration of the island and all it has to offer.     Despite the island’s size there is more than enough to occupy visitors for two or three days. 

Award-winning, world renowned photographers have adorned books and magazines with their prize-winning shots of the wildlife on Sea Lion Island, but even with the most basic equipment  you can take away shots to treasure. Make sure you have plenty of film; you will need it. At the Lodge you will be advised on a few simple common-sense procedures for approaching the animals and birds you will encounter. Please observe them for your own safety and to ensure that your delight does not cause their distress.

Accommodations

Sea Lion Lodge, the only purpose built tourist accommodation in the Falklands, was built in 1986.    The lodge offers 5 single, 4 twin, 1 double and 2 triple rooms, mostly with ensuite facilities and all centrally heated. After an exciting day exploring you can relax in the lounge bar or in the TV lounge. Here you will find an extensive natural history video library, reference books and magazines.   Other facilities include :

• E-mail access
• Telephones with international dialling
• Conservatory (smoking permitted)
• Small souvenir/gift shop
• Small golf course (free)

The following is reproduced from the informational brochure you receive when you arrive, and offers some insight into life in the islands.

The nearest landfall is Bull Point, some eight miles away, and the nearest settlement is Bleaker Island, fourteen miles distant. This isolation and the rugged coastline, which offers no harbor, has meant that only the most resourceful and hardy sheep farmers, through the years, made their homes on Sea Lion Island.

Though virtually flat, the original settlers sought the islands' highest point on which to build their house. From the summit of this slight rise it would have been possible to signal passing ships and distant mainland neighbors. A simple system of bonfires (3 in a row meant help was needed) was used throughout the Falklands until the advent of radio, and on Sea Lion these beacons could easily be lit from the house. But the system was of limited value on this low, distant island and on two occasions perilous small boat journeys were made to summon help. In 1929, Alexander Dugas, a Frenchman employed on Sea Lion committed suicide and his companions felt it necessary to inform the authorities. But the lack of harbors meant that no boat of any size could be kept on the island and so a determined individual called Benny Davis constructed a make-shift craft from wooden barrels and launched it into the surf. The remarkable sailor set out just before dark, and arrived at Speedwell Island some twelve hours later. He explained that he had simply headed west and then taken his direction from the smell of the cormorants on Annie Island.

Benny Davis's exploits eloquently illustrate the hardship caused by such isolation until quite recently. One or two visits a year by ships to pick up wool and leave mail and provisions was the best that could be expected until the introduction of Government float planes in the early 1950's. Since 1982 conditions have changed. Coastal vessels now call three or four times a year to discharge cargo (which is winched up a steep cliff); Islander aircraft fly in and out on the grass runway with visitors almost every day at the height of summer; and doctors make routine visits about four times a year.

Over forty species of birds visit and nest on the island. Occasionally rare visitors arrive, such as southern lapwings, whimbrels, wilson's phalarope, swallows and egrets. The striated caracara, one of the rarest birds of prey in the world, nests on the island in a number of sites. They are called Johnny Rooks locally because they are cheeky and mischievous, and will steal any small object left unattended. The southern elephant seal breeds on the beaches from October and 400 pups are born each summer. The South American Sea Lion also breeds, and although in decline, up to 39 pups can be seen playing around their parents in December and January each year. Fur and leopard seals can be seen at times. The beaches are patrolled by killer whales, which add to the excitement of this wildlife paradise.