Seaborne gypsy Posted February 17, 2017 #476 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I would be happy to try and answer them for you as I live in Stanley. I actually registered to cruise critic to find info about Disney cruises as we are taking the children on a trip in January, and just had a look in this forum out of curiosity! Hope I can be of some help to those of you planning a future trip :) Hi JasonWe are planning a tour to volunteer point. Have heard back from 3 operators, Wayne McCormick, Estancia and Patrick Watts. Patrick's tour though reviewed a lot is quite abit more expensive than the other 2. Do they all do the same thing would you recommend one above the other? Regards Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne gypsy Posted February 17, 2017 #477 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Start now, never too early the guides get booked up a long time in advance especially for teh biigger ships. Hi Jason we are looking to book a tour to volunteer point in November we have heard back from 3 organisers Wayne McCormick, Estancia and Patrick Watts. Of the 3 Patrick's tour is much more expensive. Do they basically offer the same experience? Would you recommend one above another? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonflk Posted February 17, 2017 #478 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Hi, Hope you will have a good time when you get here. All those providers are reputable providers and go to the same place via the same route. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredZiffle Posted February 17, 2017 #479 Share Posted February 17, 2017 We're planning on going out to Gypsy Cove. There are 4 of us, so I would assume that a taxi would be significantly cheaper than taking a minibus at $20 pp. But, assuming we don't want to pay for the taxi driver to hang around, what are our options for returning? Can we arrange for the driver to return in an hour or so, or can we expect any empty taxis looking for fares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted March 15, 2017 #480 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Hi Fred, I'm not sure a taxi will be significantly cheaper than the minibus. But you may be able to negotiate a good price. As you point out, the trick is getting back! The buses may be more reliable and frequent. The problem can be the weather. Gypsy Cove has no shelter, and if the weather is poor, it can be unpleasant to wait a while for transport. I charge a little more than the bus per head, but will show you round Gypsy Cove, and point out things you wouldn't otherwise see, and I will take you back to town when you want to go. If I am not otherwise busy that day, I will be at the jetty with a clipboard, asking if anyone wants a tour. :-) Enjoy your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TiogaCruiser Posted March 20, 2017 #481 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Jason- Can you confirm current status whether Volunteer Point is currently open to tours. Have heard it is too muddy and access has been denied for the time being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted March 21, 2017 #482 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I heard it is in a bad way and will close shortly. There's usually an announcement in the Penguin News. Classified ads page is free online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisetilidrop Posted April 19, 2017 #483 Share Posted April 19, 2017 I would be happy to try and answer them for you as I live in Stanley. I actually registered to cruise critic to find info about Disney cruises as we are taking the children on a trip in January, and just had a look in this forum out of curiosity! Hope I can be of some help to those of you planning a future trip :) I understand there is a guide that has a bull horn on the front of his truck. Do you know who this is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the Js Posted June 6, 2017 #484 Share Posted June 6, 2017 I know this is 10 years past the beginning of this thread, but I do have a couple of questions. We want to see the penguins and other wild life. Thoughts are now that the Rock Hoppers would be a better fit for us and less crowded than Volunteer point and the King Penguins. Thoughts of anyone who has been on both or was on 1 but now wishes they had done the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitl Posted June 6, 2017 #485 Share Posted June 6, 2017 You can see Gentoos and a few Kings at Bluff Cove Lagoon (and we had dolphins offshore when we were there). The complimentary cakes in the cafe are beyond amazing and the small museum offers interesting insights. Much closer to Stanley than Volunteer Point and so gives you more time in Stanley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted June 7, 2017 #486 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Murrell Farm is much closer to Stanley, and has rockhoppers (none at Bluff Cove), , Gentoo, Magellanic, and sometimes some Kings. Also known as Kidney Cove safaris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highland cruiser Posted June 19, 2017 #487 Share Posted June 19, 2017 We will be in Stanley on a cruise in February 2018. I have been in contact with a tour guide to Volunteer point. Looks like a great tour but it must be paid in British pounds on the day of the tour. It isn't a problem for us to get pounds at our bank before we leave but I was just wondering is this is the standard procedure for all tours on the island. We have been to the Falklands before several years ago and I don't remember this!! Thanks for any clarification. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted June 19, 2017 #488 Share Posted June 19, 2017 We will be in Stanley on a cruise in February 2018. I have been in contact with a tour guide to Volunteer point. Looks like a great tour but it must be paid in British pounds on the day of the tour. It isn't a problem for us to get pounds at our bank before we leave but I was just wondering is this is the standard procedure for all tours on the island. We have been to the Falklands before several years ago and I don't remember this!! Thanks for any clarification. Mary This past winter we went to Volunteer Point with Patrick Watts. He requested payment on the day of the excursion in dollars (new, large denominations preferred). Payment was made after visiting Volunteer Point and while we were eating our provided box lunches. That seemed to be the 'normal' method of business; we saw lots of other groups doing the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highland cruiser Posted June 19, 2017 #489 Share Posted June 19, 2017 This past winter we went to Volunteer Point with Patrick Watts. He requested payment on the day of the excursion in dollars (new, large denominations preferred). Payment was made after visiting Volunteer Point and while we were eating our provided box lunches. That seemed to be the 'normal' method of business; we saw lots of other groups doing the same thing. Thank you, I will check Patrick Watts out. Does he have a tour site or name? The tour that requested pounds is Estancia. Highly rated on Trop Advisor. I appreciate your quick response. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted June 20, 2017 #490 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Why not email Estancia and ask if they'll take dollars? They are a good outfit. Patrick can probably be found by a quick Google. He takes dollars because it suits most people, but I can't see him refusing pounds. New notes are needed as banks don't accept torn or damaged notes. (dollars, that is) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted June 20, 2017 #491 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Thank you,I will check Patrick Watts out. Does he have a tour site or name? The tour that requested pounds is Estancia. Highly rated on Trop Advisor. I appreciate your quick response. Mary Patrick can be reached at pwatts@horizon.co.fk. I spoke with members of our roll call who greatly enjoyed their tour with Estancia but I don't remember them mentioning anything about taking only pounds. I would clarify that with Estancia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highland cruiser Posted June 21, 2017 #492 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Patrick can be reached at pwatts@horizon.co.fk. I spoke with members of our roll call who greatly enjoyed their tour with Estancia but I don't remember them mentioning anything about taking only pounds. I would clarify that with Estancia. I will clarify the pound versa dollars with them. The tour was quoted in pounds and their website says no ATM's or paypal payments. Thanks for Patrick's email address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted June 21, 2017 #493 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Yes - there are no ATMs, but you can get cash back from some of the bigger shops like the West Store, if you pay by card. Estancia are a well-respected team, and win awards for their tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdsmith7 Posted July 29, 2017 #494 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Has anybody been to Seal Bay or know how that compares to Volunteer Point? Holland America offers an excursion there for the chance to see gentoo, rockhopper, macaroni, magellanic and maybe king penguins -- we're considering that or the Volunteer Point excursion. I'm not able to find any information about Seal Bay so any input or advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted July 30, 2017 #495 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Hi, I've not been to Seal Bay, so can't comment on what is there. I will say that there are only a very few sites that have King penguins. There are more sites with Rockhoppers, but they are well-known, as the penguin climb (hop) up the cliffs. Rockhoppers are rarely found on sandy beaches, where you see Kings and Gentoos. Macaronis - I've seen 2 in 5 years in the Falklands. That's not to say there aren't more around, but few people will claim you will see them in advance, as they are lining you up for a disappointment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterscot Posted July 30, 2017 #496 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Also, understand that most sites (in the Falklands) are privately owned. It may be that the owner of Seal Bay has only recently decided to allow the public on to the site so that he can make some money. Not all landowners want tourists, and not all landowners want payment! So just because it is not well known, doesn't mean it isn't a great site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmacs Posted August 25, 2018 #497 Share Posted August 25, 2018 I realise no one has posted for a long time so may not get an answer. We are booked with Patrick Watts to Berthas Beach. I know no one can foresee the weather but just wondered if anyone knows what proportion of cruises don't get to land folks in Stanley. We may need to book a penguin tour elsewhere on our cruise as my wife loves penguins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campbell soup Posted August 25, 2018 #498 Share Posted August 25, 2018 See them everywhere you can! They are all so different and so wonderful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the Js Posted August 25, 2018 #499 Share Posted August 25, 2018 We had no problems with the tender, even with rough seas. Campbell Soup is correct - the birds are different at almost every stop. We wanted to see Rock Hoppers but that tour sold out early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdsmith7 Posted August 25, 2018 #500 Share Posted August 25, 2018 I recall somebody from the crew saying ships are able to tender there 60-70% of the time. I happened to be incredible calm when we were there on 31December last year. I would recommend booking at least one other penguin tour -- as the others have said the experience will be different each time. The Falklands was the only stop where we could see king penguins so we ended up doing that after much deliberation with trying to see rockhoppers. I think we made the right call with our tour choice because you are essentially guaranteed to see king penguins but you only have a chance to see rockhoppers -- I heard that a few people did on other tours though. Also, volunteer point wasnt very crowded and we were able to get many pictures with just the two of us and the penguin. If you are stopping in Puerto Madryn I would strongly recommend the "Exclusive Penguin and Seal Estancia" that Shore Excursion Group offers. I wrote a review on their site but, in brief, it was a small tour where we were able to see from a distance elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, hawks, and up close tons of Magellanic penguins. The Estancia is essentially a bed and breakfast with a 20 minute walk to the beach on a dirt road with penguins all along the way. Thanks for the question and getting me to remember this two excursions this morning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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