Falkland Islands: penguins

[dileep]

Thanks for this! I can't miss seeing those penguins in December!

Here's more

[jasonflk]

Thanks for pursuing this with HAL. I hope to be able to book the Bluff Cove excursion on our too-short visit to the Falklands. I am assuming that HAL will refund the cost of the excursion if weather prevents tendering.

 

I believe that is the policy.

[Coolcruise02]

For those interested in the Bluff Cove excursion it is now available to book through HAL!

[jasonflk]

Beat me to it, have just geard my self and was going to post but you were too good.

[Lynda S]

Thanks for the info Rebecca and Jason! But now I can't decide which one to do, Jason if you could help me out here, I'd really appreicate it!

 

The rockhoppers look like wonderful penguins to watch - what is the time to get there as well as what is the time to get to Bluff Cove? Is is REALLY really rough? My husband does have a bad back, but he has survived three safaris on VERY bumpy & non-exisitent roads in East Africa - could it be worse than that? Are the rockhopper viewings less crowded than Bluff Cove? (with people, not penguins....)

 

Thanks for all your help in advance!

[digitl]

For those interested in the Bluff Cove excursion it is now available to book through HAL!

Finally! Why HAL would want to delay bookings for such a well recommended tour as this beats me. Perhaps they wanted to fill the others first?

[jasonflk]

Which tour, Which tour always a problem, I won't tell you which one as I work for one of them and I have to be careful not to push one tour or the other.

 

As for the tracks/Terrain, though I've never been on the rockhopper tour I would suspect that the terrain would be the same, the bluff cove tour has you in a 4x4 for 20-30minutes each way and can be a bit bumpy. Is it any worse than east Africa I've got no idea at all, sorry.

 

As for crowds the Falklands is a big place and numbers are limited to both sites because of transporting people there (normally done in batches of 32/48) and only the ships tours will go there.

 

Hope that helps you

[digitl]

The rockhoppers look like wonderful penguins to watch - what is the time to get there as well as what is the time to get to Bluff Cove? Is is REALLY really rough? My husband does have a bad back, but he has survived three safaris on VERY bumpy & non-exisitent roads in East Africa - could it be worse than that?

There are some images at http://www.falklandpenguins.com/tour.asp that might help you. Doesn't look too bad compared with the Kenyan safaris we went on. It certainly looks like it will be well worth a little bumping around.

[Coolcruise02]

Beat me to it, have just geard my self and was going to post but you were too good.

 

Hattie e-mailed me yesterday to let me know. :)

 

I took your advise and e-mailed Bluff Cove last week to let them know the situation. They have been so kind and helpful and I can't wait to meet Hattie in person in December!

[dileep]

There are some images at http://www.falklandpenguins.com/tour.asp that might help you. Doesn't look too bad compared with the Kenyan safaris we went on. It certainly looks like it will be well worth a little bumping around.

 

It is rougher than the South Africa safaris - very bumpy almost the entire way. You just have to hang on to the straps. The ride is about 20 minutes, but definitely worth it!

[Gablin]

I finally booked HAL's Bluff Cove tour on Dec. 4 for my friend and myself. I think we'll do private tours at the other ports, but this one has such a short time in port that I wanted the security of being on a ship tour.

[hillslife]

My emails to Patrick Watt are coming back also - no response....not sure why....if anyone has another address, please post.

 

Thanks

[dileep]

I finally booked HAL's Bluff Cove tour on Dec. 4 for my friend and myself. I think we'll do private tours at the other ports, but this one has such a short time in port that I wanted the security of being on a ship tour.

 

Good idea. Often, in the Falklands, the cruise lines book up places like Bluff cove nad there are no private tours available. You will enjoy Bluff Cove.

[digitl]

I finally booked HAL's Bluff Cove tour on Dec. 4 for my friend and myself. I think we'll do private tours at the other ports, but this one has such a short time in port that I wanted the security of being on a ship tour.

Probably a good decision: I've only heard good things about Bluff Cove.

[digitl]

My emails to Patrick Watt are coming back also - no response....not sure why....if anyone has another address, please post.

I have no direct knowledge but, as it's the middle of the Falklands winter and out of season for running tours, maybe he's on holiday?