National park · Falkland Islands
New Island
Visit New Island for a half‑day wildlife walk: take the short 0.8 km (0.5 mi) trail to the rockhopper penguin colony (free, 30 min walk) in the summer months, or stay overnight in the A‑frame cabins (check availability, approx £150 per night) from October to March; avoid the island in the winter when flights are limited.Visit New Island for a half‑day wildlife walk: take the short 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail to the rockhopper penguin colony (free, 30 min walk) in the summer months, or stay overnight in the A‑frame cabins (check availability, approx £150 per night) from October to March; avoid the island in the winter when flights are limited.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
2006
Best months
Feb, Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…Entry rules are set by the Falkland Islands Government, n…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Falkland Islands ↗Entry rules are set by the Falkland Islands Government, not the UK: visitors need a return ticket, pre-booked accommodation, enough funds and medical insurance covering evacuation. Check the official rules for your passport.
- Falkland Islands ↗Keep at least 6 m from penguins and seals, stay out of marked colonies, and follow landowners' rules: most land is privately owned farmland.
- Falkland Islands ↗Strict biosecurity: declare food, plants, seeds and soil; clean boots and outdoor gear before arrival and before landing on each outer island.
At a glance
- Country
- Falkland Islands
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Approximate; the reserve covers the whole island (check).
- Established
- 2006
- Best months
- Feb, Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Stanley
New Island is a privately managed wildlife reserve offering short, easy walks to seabird colonies and limited self‑contained accommodation; access is by small aircraft from Stanley or cruise ships, with no entry fee for day visitors and cabin rates around £150‑£200 per night in summer.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by New Island South Conservation Trust.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 2006
Approximate; the reserve covers the whole island (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Stanley.
Why go
- Walk to large colonies of rockhopper and black‑browed albatrosses on the western cliffs.
- See gentoo, magellanic penguins and sea lions on the gentle eastern slopes.
- Explore historic whaling remnants and the Barnard Building.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanSummer, wildlife abundant.
- FebWarm, long daylight.
- MarSpring, still good wildlife.
- AprWeather becomes variable.
- MayCooler, flights limited.
- JunWinter, access difficult.
- JulWinter, limited services.
- AugWinter, limited services.
- SepTransition, weather unpredictable.
- OctStart of summer season, cabins open.
- NovSummer, good for wildlife.
- DecPeak summer, long daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockhopper penguinsOct–Mar · Large colony on western cliffs. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Gentoo and magellanic penguinsOct–Mar · Eastern side beaches. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Black‑browed albatrossesOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Falkland fur seals & sea lionsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement (New Island South) | Visitor hub, A‑frame cabins, basic kitchen and toilet. | Open with permission; limited capacity. |
| Western cliffs | Rockhopper penguin and albatross colonies, steep sea cliffs. | Day visitors walk a 0.8 km (0.5 mi) trail from settlement.Day visitors walk a 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail from settlement. |
| Eastern beaches | Gentoo penguins, magellanic penguins, sand beaches. | Open; easy walks. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the settlement; other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (walks) | Free | person | No charge for day visitors; donation optional. |
| A‑frame cabin (overnight) | GBP 150–200 (≈ US$200–300) | night | Check availability with the Trust; includes basic facilities. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Island entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not permitted for general visitors; only the A‑frame cabins are allowed.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stove in cabins only.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Keep distance from colonies; no feeding or approaching birds.
Where to stay
In the park
A‑frame cabins (New Island South)
Two self‑contained cabins with basic kitchen and bathroom.
Near the park
Stanley
Hotels and guesthouses; 30 min flight to New Island.
Safety
Weather high
Steep cliffs medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Settlement area reachable by small aircraft; short, level trails suitable for most walkers.
Visiting lightly
- Support the New Island Trust by donating or paying for cabin stays.
- Leave no waste; pack out all rubbish.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter New Island?
Day visits are free; a donation is welcome. Overnight cabins cost about £150‑£200 per night, subject to availability.
What are the best hikes in New Island?
The half‑mile trail to the rockhopper penguin colony and the short walk to the albatross viewpoint are the main easy hikes. Both are suitable for all fitness levels.
When is the best time to visit New Island?
The summer months (December–February) offer the most wildlife activity and the best weather for flights and walks.
Can I camp on New Island?
Camping for the general public is not allowed; stay in the Trust’s A‑frame cabins or in Stanley.
How do I get to New Island?
Most visitors arrive by small aircraft from Stanley (≈30 min) or as part of a cruise ship stop on the southern coast.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Sources
Ask about New Island
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