Lying southeast of East Falkland, approximately 30 min by air from Stanley, Bleaker Island is a long, narrow island measuring around 20 km (12.5 mi) in length and no more than 3 km (1.9 mi) wide. Designated as both an Important Bird Area and a National Nature Reserve, it supports an exceptional variety of wildlife across expansive sandy beaches, rocky bays and tussac-fringed cliffs.
Bleaker Island is operated as a family-run business with a strong focus on sustainable ecotourism and conservation, supported by small-scale organic farming.
More than 49 bird species can be seen on this rodent-free island, with several notable wildlife colonies located within easy walking distance of the accommodation. A large breeding colony of Southern Rockhopper Penguin occupies the tussac and cliffs at Long Gulch, around 500 m (547 yds) from the lodge. A solitary Macaroni Penguin is also regularly seen among the Rockhoppers.
A short walk north leads to Sandy Bay, a 1.6 km (1 mi)-long beach where large numbers of Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins come ashore and breed in extensive colonies. Non-breeding King Penguins are also regular visitors, while dolphins are occasionally seen in the surf.
A vast Imperial Cormorant colony lies close to the lodge and attracts numerous scavenging birds, including Skuas, Dolphin Gulls, Kelp Gulls and Snowy Sheathbills. Nearby, a large colony of Southern Sea Lions can be found in a sheltered, tussac-lined bay.
Big Pond and the surrounding wetlands support abundant waterfowl, including silvery and White-Tufted Grebes, Silver Teal, Chiloe Wigeon, Flying Steamer Ducks and, occasionally, Black-Necked Swans. The surrounding open country is frequented by Crested and Striated Caracaras, Variable Hawks and Peregrine Falcons, as well as large numbers of Ruddy-Headed Geese, Two-Banded Plovers and White-Rumped Sandpipers.
Along the coast, visitors may also encounter Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic and Blackish Oystercatchers, Crested Ducks and Black-Crowned Night-Heron.
Songbirds thrive in the coastal tussac grass, including Tussac-Birds, Cobb’s Wrens, Black-Chinned Siskins, Dark-Faced Ground-Tyrants, Falkland Pipits, Falkland Thrushes, Black-Throated Finches and Long-Tailed Meadowlarks. Falkland Skuas and Southern Giant Petrels also breed in large numbers and can be seen throughout the island.
Two purpose-built houses accommodate guests. Cassard House and Cobb’s Cottage sit within the historic settlement and offer six spacious en-suite rooms: five twins and one double. Cassard House, the main property, was extended in 2022 and features a large dining room, comfortable lounge, cosy bar and heated conservatory.
Full-board stays are available from mid-October to mid-March, while Cobb’s Cottage remains open for winter self-catering.
Named after naturalist Arthur Cobb, one of the island’s former farmers. Cobb's Cottage was built in 2001 and upgraded in 2013.
The newest accommodation on the island completed in 2011.
A full-board menu is provided by our experienced chef. The menu at Cassard House includes our own farmed lamb and beef as well as goose and lamb liver pate. Fresh salad, herbs and seasonal vegetables come from our gardens. We source local products including fish, Falkland squid, eggs, and salad items.
The chef is widely experienced in different dietary needs and allergies. He produces customised vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, lacto-free and allergy menus.
For winter self-catering, a small store provides a limited range of tinned and dried foodstuffs, as well as lamb, eggs, milk, and bread.
On arrival an introductory tour of the principle wildlife areas comprises the gentoo, Magellanic, Rockhopper penguin colonies, and imperial cormorants. A separate trip to the sea lions is part of the tour.
Complimentary drop-offs and pick-ups can be provided around farm tasks.
A hire vehicle is available for self-drive.
The open country and long sandy beaches of Bleaker Island offer some great hiking opportunities during which visitors should also look out for some of the local vegetation such as native violets and the lady’s slipper. Falkland’s fritillary butterfly can be seen feeding on violets. Walking guides are provided in the lodge.
On a day’s walk round-trip from the settlement you will be able to cover most of the wildlife areas. Keep an eye open on Pebbly Bay to the south of the settlement for sea lions and visiting elephant seals. Then as you head past Long Gulch and up the east coast towards Sandy Bay you will cover the stretch of coast with the most spectacular bird life. Long Gulch is just one of a number of the dramatic inlets in the rocky cliffs. The top of the clifftop is bordered with tussac grass and it is here that approx. 9,000 pairs of imperial cormorants group together whilst on the seaside of the tussac they are joined by a colony of Rockhopper penguins. Further on as you round the headland to Sandy Bay you will walk the length of the beach to reach the highway of gentoo penguins. Magellanic penguin burrows feature across the island. Once at the northern end of the beach you can return to the settlement via Big Pond which supports a wide variety of waterfowl. South of the pond you can climb 80ft or 27m to the highest point on Bleaker Island, Semaphore Hill.
Another favourite walk is to the sea lion colony south of the settlement and you can continue on to Dolphin Bay where Peale’s Dolphins are often seen and nearby Ram Paddock Pond to check for waterfowl.
An optional introductory tour will quickly familiarise you with the main wildlife areas; comprising the Gentoo, Magellanic, and Rockhopper penguin colonies, and the imperial cormorants. A separate trip to the sea lions is part of the tour.