One day on Bleaker Island is the perfect amount of time to explore the island. Bleaker Island is located in the southeastern part of the Falkland Islands just off the main island of East Falkland and about a 35-minute flight from Stanley, the capital. Bleaker Island offers a lot to see and do including some of the best places to see rock hopper and Gentoo penguins in the Falklands.
Upon landing in the oddly placed airport on the very edge of Bleaker Island, you are greeted by your hosts and promptly given a great overview tour of the island. Elaine Short took me around the island and showed me the nuances of where the different type of penguins could be found and set the tone for my massive hike later in the day.
First stop was to see the delightful rock hopper penguins. They are the cutest penguins I think I have seen in the Falklands. Their little heads and eyes along with their “bad hair day” make them very appealing. They are also very friendly and let you get right up next to them without running away.
Unlike Gentoo or Magellanic penguins that run away until you kneel down, the rock hopper are hardly even bothered by your presence and just stay where they are. This makes for great photo opportunities and is a great way to observe penguins at such close range.
The rock hoppers also hang out as it sounds on rocks and they literally hop around. It is adorable to watch them and the scenery around them makes photos even better.
The beach on Bleaker Island is fabulous. It looks like a Caribbean beach. Although believe me, the temperature would disprove that comparison! That said, the beach is a beautiful backdrop for a ton of Gentoo penguins and Magellanics to hang out.
I was able to be on the beach with hundreds of gentoos and I loved every second of it. They are so photogenic and once they feel comfortable with you there, they come right up to you. When you’re around penguins, it’s cool to take selfies!
Bleaker Island is also a functioning farm and with that, there are many cattle and sheep. There are also a ton of geese and other bird life. But my other favorite thing about Bleaker Island is just walking along the coast.
Bleaker Island has many jagged cliffs and some gorgeous views across land cut outs. They make for great pictures and good exploration. Bleaker is a good island to take a long walk, as it’s not mountainous like Carcass Island. It is difficult to get lost but easy to underestimate how far things are from each other. I easily walked 12 miles on Bleaker Island without even realizing it.
When you’re on Bleaker Island you will stay at the settlement guesthouse. It is lovely and the new house is wonderful. It has new everything and Elaine is a great cook. I thoroughly enjoyed each meal on Bleaker Island especially the lamb with vegetables we had for dinner. After a 12 miles walk, I couldn’t help but have a few plates…perhaps to the dismay of my fellow diners!
If you’re in the Falklands and want to experience the remoteness of an outer island, I would tell you to give Bleaker a try. It is also located right next to Sea Lion Island; which could make for a great combination of islands. Enjoy the hospitality and a great little island!
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