Saunders Island Shore Excursions
4 & 5* Saunders Island Shore Excursions
Saunders Island
Volunteer Point in Falkland Islands
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 392.00
Saunders Island
Berthas Beach and Stanley Private Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 - 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 411.79
Saunders Island
Private Penguin Paradise Tour: Penguins, Scenery & Stanley
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 567.51
Saunders Island
Penguins, Elephant Seals and Island Highlights at Falkland Is.
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 359.88
Saunders Island
Falkland Islands Shared Tour Sightseeing with Penguins
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 2 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 138.42
Saunders Island
Gentoo Penguin Colony Falklands Tour with Transportation
Duration: 1 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 40.00
Saunders Island
Let the Bertha’s Beach Penguins Make You Smile
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 - 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 380.65
Saunders Island
Falkland Islands Wildlife Tour in Bertha Beach and Stanley
Duration: 5 - 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 262.99
Saunders Island
Private Coastal Gems Tour: Penguins, Scenery & Stanley
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 539.82
Saunders Island
Kelp Point - Private 4x4 Tour - Elephant Seals and Penguins
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 446.39
Saunders Island
Private Falklands Guided Eco Nature Tour
Duration: 5 - 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 346.04
Saunders Island
Falkland Islands Tour Gypsy Cove Cape Pembroke and Stanley
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 242.23
Saunders Island
Falkland Islands Penguins Full Day Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 295.10
Saunders Island
Shackleton Tour in the Falkland Islands
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 221.47
Saunders Island
Private Wild Shores Tour: Penguins, Elephant Seals & Stanley
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 6 - 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 609.03
Saunders Island
Whale Point to See Penguins and Elephant Seals
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 - 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 449.85
Saunders Island
Walking with the Penguins in Falklands and Island highlights
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 290.67
Saunders Island
Falkland Island Small Group Penguins & Wildlife Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 276.83
Saunders Island
1982 War Memorials and Points of Interest in Falkland Islands
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 - 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 1107.33
Saunders Island
Argentine Military Cemetery tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 415.25
Saunders Island
King Penguin Safari:4x4 Adventure to Volunteer Point, Falkland
Duration: 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 444.32
Saunders Island
Falkland Penguin Tour Bertha Beach, Gypsy Cove Gentoos
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 355.73
Saunders Island
Argentine Cemetery and Historic City Adventure Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 242.23
Saunders Island
Bertha's Beach Penguin Experience
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 - 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 449.85
Saunders Island
Kelp Point 4x4 Elephant Seals and Gentoos Falklands Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 484.46
What should a first-time visitor know about visiting Saunders Island?
If you are visiting for the first time you can expect a compact but richly varied experience that fits well into a single cruise day. Visitors arrive by Zodiac and follow guided walks to wildlife colonies and coastal viewpoints, organised to minimise disturbance and maximise observation opportunities. Expect basic shore facilities and variable weather; good waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear and a camera are essential. Saunders Island shore excursions are typically framed around natural history and short walks rather than long hikes, making planning straightforward for newcomers.
What are the top attractions on Saunders Island?
Main draws include large gentoo and Magellanic penguin colonies, dramatic coastal cliffs populated by nesting black-browed albatross, and sweeping beaches that provide excellent viewing and photography opportunities. Penguin viewing areas are accessible via relatively short walks and offer close encounters when approached quietly. Coastal cliffs provide spectacular seabird aerial displays and expansive ocean vistas. Saunders Island tours also often highlight historic sheep-farming homesteads and interpretation about the island’s landscape, allowing visitors to appreciate both wildlife and human heritage within a short visit.
Should I choose a half-day or full-day visit?
Choosing between half-day and full-day depends on your ship’s schedule and personal interests; half-day options focus on key colonies and scenic viewpoints, while full-day visits allow for longer walks and more relaxed photography. Half-day programmes suit travellers seeking a concise wildlife encounter without extensive walking. Full-day visits provide time to explore additional habitats, visit historic sites and enjoy more flexible viewing as bird activity changes through the day. Saunders Island shore excursions are scheduled to balance time on shore with safety margins for Zodiac transfers and changing sea conditions.
What cultural and historical features are on the island?
Local history centres on pastoral farming, with old homesteads, shearing sheds and stone cairns marking decades of sheep husbandry; visitors can see traces of that industry during guided walks. Military and maritime histories are sometimes referenced in ship logs and interpretive materials, reflecting broader regional events. Remnants of early settlement and place names enrich the narrative of human use alongside natural features. Saunders Island tours include commentary about these elements, helping visitors understand how human activity has coexisted with and influenced the island’s ecology over time.
What kind of nature and scenery can I expect to see?
Expect a mixture of tundra-like moorland, pebble beaches and towering cliffs where seabirds wheel and feed; the island’s compact size concentrates a variety of habitats in a short distance. Rolling tussac and low vegetation frame paths that lead to penguin colonies and albatross nesting ledges, offering strong contrasts between gentle shorelines and dramatic cliff-top panoramas. Birdlife is abundant and visible from suitably placed viewpoints, while the surrounding ocean adds a constantly changing backdrop of light and sea-state. Saunders Island shore excursions focus on accessible spots that showcase this scenic diversity.
Are there food or dining options on Saunders Island?
On Saunders Island there are no commercial cafés or restaurants for visitors during typical shore visits; food arrangements are managed by the cruise operator. Most passengers rely on the ship for meals and may be provided with packed lunches or snacks suitable for outdoor conditions. If you are staying longer through a specialist itinerary, limited homestead hospitality or catered options might be arranged in advance. Saunders Island tours generally advise guests to bring personal water bottles and any dietary essentials, since onshore provisioning is minimal and subject to strict biosecurity rules.
What activity level is required for the shore excursions?
Activity varies from gentle, mostly level walks to more undulating paths with some short climbs, so a moderate level of fitness is usually sufficient. Walks to penguin colonies and viewing points typically last between 30 minutes and two hours, with short stops for observation and photography. Terrain can be uneven, muddy or rocky after rain, so ankle-supporting footwear and basic mobility are important. Saunders Island shore excursions are designed to accommodate a range of abilities, but anyone with limited mobility should check specific landing and route details with their operator before departing.
How accessible is Saunders Island for travellers with mobility needs?
Access is constrained by Zodiac landings and natural, uneven terrain, which limits options for wheelchair users and those with significant mobility impairments. Zodiac transfers require stepping into and out of small boats and negotiating tidal shorelines, so assistance is often necessary and not always feasible. Operators can sometimes offer adaptations or alternatives, but these depend on vessel capability and sea conditions on the day. Saunders Island tours recommend discussing mobility requirements well in advance so that staff can advise on the practicalities and safety considerations for any planned shore visit.
When is the best time of year to visit Saunders Island?
The optimal season runs from late spring to early autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, broadly October through March, when seabird nesting and penguin chick rearing are at their peak and daylight is extended. Breeding activity makes wildlife viewing particularly rewarding, with albatross and penguin colonies most active during these months. Weather remains changeable and can be windy or wet even in summer, so flexible clothing and contingency plans are essential. Saunders Island shore excursions are scheduled to coincide with peak wildlife activity while taking account of sea conditions and daylight hours.
Should I go with a guided expedition or try to visit independently?
Most visitors travel as part of an organised landing because Zodiac transfers, permits and biosecurity procedures are managed by operators and the ship’s expedition team. Independent access is rarely practical due to logistical, legal and safety constraints around shore landings and wildlife protection rules. Guided visits provide local knowledge, enforce appropriate visitor behaviour and reduce disturbance to sensitive colonies while enhancing interpretation of features and species. Saunders Island tours are therefore the standard approach, offering structured schedules that meet conservation and safety requirements for day visitors.