Estancia Excursions
Estancia Excursions
5
Movie & TV ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife ToursPhotography Tours
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
Wildlife & Battlefield Tours in the Falkland Islands for Land Based visitors & Cruise Passengers. Destinations include Volunteer Point, Cape Dolphin, Cape Bougainville, & Stanley Mountains, Goose Green/Darwin and San Carlos.
Stanley, Falkland Islands
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Estancia Excursions
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
164 reviews
Excellent
157
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Susan G
Cleveland, OH64 contributions
Jan 2020
My husband and I booked with Nyree and Estancia Excursions to go to Volunteer Point during our recent stop at Port Stanley. Pre-cruise communication was very prompt and all questions answered. We lucked out with a nice day without too much wind. We were on the first tender off our ship and Nyree and her drivers were there waiting for us. She quickly paired us with another couple to ride with "Rag", who got us there without incident. The ride is about 1/2 hour on paved road, 1/2 hour on gravel road, then 1 very bumpy hour on no road. There is a stop before you start off road where you can stretch your legs and use the restroom.
There were tons of king penguins, gentoos, and magenellic penguins everywhere and we were all asked to be respectful and not impede their progress as they moved around. For the most part, the penguins went about their business without regard to us. It was wonderful watching them interact with each other and feed their babies. I especially liked walking down to the beach, where there were fewer but it was much more scenic. We spent about 2 hours with the penguins, then enjoyed a boxed lunch back at the jeep before heading back to Stanley.
Our driver also provided a little city tour for us before dropping us off with plenty of time to walk around a little or shop for some souvenirs. He also explained things we were seeing to and from Volunteer Point and made a stop to show us a downed helicopter from the 1982 conflict. All in all, we couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks, Nyree!
There were tons of king penguins, gentoos, and magenellic penguins everywhere and we were all asked to be respectful and not impede their progress as they moved around. For the most part, the penguins went about their business without regard to us. It was wonderful watching them interact with each other and feed their babies. I especially liked walking down to the beach, where there were fewer but it was much more scenic. We spent about 2 hours with the penguins, then enjoyed a boxed lunch back at the jeep before heading back to Stanley.
Our driver also provided a little city tour for us before dropping us off with plenty of time to walk around a little or shop for some souvenirs. He also explained things we were seeing to and from Volunteer Point and made a stop to show us a downed helicopter from the 1982 conflict. All in all, we couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks, Nyree!
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a detailed review. I shall pass this on to Rag!
Written March 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ron T
Indio, CA33 contributions
Jan 2020
We contracted with Estancia Tours for our odyssey to Volunteer Point and the penguins...Our driver and guide was “Turpin”. He was knowledgeable, fun and entertaining. Driving on the non-existent road to the rookery was done with care and skill.
The penguins were superb as well...we were allowed a couple of hours to explore and take many photos...
The penguins were superb as well...we were allowed a couple of hours to explore and take many photos...
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for leaving a review, and for choosing Estancia Excursions!
Written January 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon G
Broad Oak, UK321 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
As cruise ship passengers, we took this tour to see the penguins at volunteer point with Estancia- it was half the cost of the ship’s own tour to the point. It was pretty much a full day trip and was one of the best day trips I have ever been on.
It took around 2 hours to get to Volunteer Point from Port Stanley in a land rover carrying 4 of us. The first half was on roads and then the second half off road largely across peat. Yes it was very bumpy, but it wAs also great fun. Our driver was the Dad of the lady who runs the business and he was really knowledgeable about the Falklands having lived there all his life.
Nothing could prepare us for how wonderful the Volunteer Point nature reserve was. The stars of the show are the King Penguins. There are around 3000 couples at the point and they are just stunning. It was a real privilege to be part of their lives for a couple of hours. We split our time between the beach watching small groups of penguins enter the sea and the rookery. They largely seemed to be oblivious to us being there.
The two hours whizzed by and at the end we were provided with a pack lunch (sandwich, crisps, penguin bar!) before returning to Stanley. A tour of Stanley at the end in the Land Rover was included.
I can’t recommend this trip enough. Others on our cruise went up other destinations, but this seemed to be the best for seeing large numbers of penguins
It took around 2 hours to get to Volunteer Point from Port Stanley in a land rover carrying 4 of us. The first half was on roads and then the second half off road largely across peat. Yes it was very bumpy, but it wAs also great fun. Our driver was the Dad of the lady who runs the business and he was really knowledgeable about the Falklands having lived there all his life.
Nothing could prepare us for how wonderful the Volunteer Point nature reserve was. The stars of the show are the King Penguins. There are around 3000 couples at the point and they are just stunning. It was a real privilege to be part of their lives for a couple of hours. We split our time between the beach watching small groups of penguins enter the sea and the rookery. They largely seemed to be oblivious to us being there.
The two hours whizzed by and at the end we were provided with a pack lunch (sandwich, crisps, penguin bar!) before returning to Stanley. A tour of Stanley at the end in the Land Rover was included.
I can’t recommend this trip enough. Others on our cruise went up other destinations, but this seemed to be the best for seeing large numbers of penguins
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, thank you very much for a fantastic review. Volunteer Point is indeed the best penguin tour (in my opinion). I'm very pleased to hear that you had a great day!
Written April 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
greendale_mike
Liverpool12 contributions
Mar 2020
This is my second review for this company, the first was to praise them for the handling of a cancellation, this one is to review the trip.
February 2019 - a year later than our original booking that was cancelled by us due to a medical emergency. We had enjoyed two spectacular days in Antarctica, bright sunshine and incredible wildlife displays, so the bar was high, very high. We adhered to the advice to get an early tender and we’re quickly ashore. We were met by Terence our guide, driver and font of all knowledge. We set off in a remarkably comfortable Land Rover with another couple, this was the entire party. Terence rotated who was in the front passenger seat. The first part of the journey was on empty tarmac roads and I thought the estimated journey time was exaggerated. Then came the off-road. Terence drove with exceptional skill while maintaining a constant narration about what we were seeing, the history of the Falklands and fauna & flora; absolutely fascinating.
Then came the penguins.
The penguin site is directly on the coast so take a warm wind proof coat. Terence advised us to go towards the water and wait on the beach for the penguins to come to us, fantastic advice. They waddled towards us, past us and between us. Everybody was getting ‘Attenborough pictures.’ There is something very special about seeing animals in their natural habitat and it is a unique & unforgettable experience. We spent some time near ‘the circle’ observing chics etc. Just stunning.
Lunch followed, someone has a keen sense of humour that was lost on the Americans who we spoke to afterwards. The journey back was as exhilarating as the outward one and completed with a short sightseeing tour of Stanley.
We have been on a lot of cruises and been on a lot of excursions usually independent of the cruise companies. If we had the chance to relive only one of them it would be this. The organisation of Nyree was superb, but it was the skill, wit and knowledge of Terence that will stay with us. It was an absolutely unforgettable day, quite simply the best.
February 2019 - a year later than our original booking that was cancelled by us due to a medical emergency. We had enjoyed two spectacular days in Antarctica, bright sunshine and incredible wildlife displays, so the bar was high, very high. We adhered to the advice to get an early tender and we’re quickly ashore. We were met by Terence our guide, driver and font of all knowledge. We set off in a remarkably comfortable Land Rover with another couple, this was the entire party. Terence rotated who was in the front passenger seat. The first part of the journey was on empty tarmac roads and I thought the estimated journey time was exaggerated. Then came the off-road. Terence drove with exceptional skill while maintaining a constant narration about what we were seeing, the history of the Falklands and fauna & flora; absolutely fascinating.
Then came the penguins.
The penguin site is directly on the coast so take a warm wind proof coat. Terence advised us to go towards the water and wait on the beach for the penguins to come to us, fantastic advice. They waddled towards us, past us and between us. Everybody was getting ‘Attenborough pictures.’ There is something very special about seeing animals in their natural habitat and it is a unique & unforgettable experience. We spent some time near ‘the circle’ observing chics etc. Just stunning.
Lunch followed, someone has a keen sense of humour that was lost on the Americans who we spoke to afterwards. The journey back was as exhilarating as the outward one and completed with a short sightseeing tour of Stanley.
We have been on a lot of cruises and been on a lot of excursions usually independent of the cruise companies. If we had the chance to relive only one of them it would be this. The organisation of Nyree was superb, but it was the skill, wit and knowledge of Terence that will stay with us. It was an absolutely unforgettable day, quite simply the best.
Written February 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hd1352
Chicago, IL51 contributions
Mar 2020
We had the best day with Estancia Excursions visiting Volunteer Point. Our guide was easy to find at the port and we immediately set out. The ride was great, some on roads and then quite a bit off road. The whole time our guide shared with us about living in the Falklands, what we should expect, her family& friends. She was happy to answer questions and made the time fly by. The penguin color was amazing. One of the greatest experiences ever. We had a couple of f hours to explore and take pictures and that we did. There were all ages of king penguins (eggs, babies, adolescents, and adults. Watching them enter the water was so entertaining. Just the best day!!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for booking with Estancia Excursions!
Written March 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard L
Fredonia, NY16 contributions
Feb 2020
Seeing the thousands of penguins at Volunteer Point was one of the highlights of our South American cruise. Everything with Estancia Excursions was first rate. The booking process was easy, questions were answered promptly, and representatives met us at the dock as promised. Neil was our tour guide for the day. He provided information about the island on the long drive to the point. It was over a two hour drive to get to the penguins with about an hour of that off-road, but it is an experience that you won't forget.
We were very fortunate as we boarded one of the first tenders from the ship around 8:00 a.m. By 9:30 the winds and waves were so strong that the harbormaster would not allow anyone else to tender from the cruise ship. Most cruise passengers did not get to visit the Falkland Islands that day. Apparently the wind and waves are often quite strong here and many ships have to pass by without stopping for the day.
I would highly recommend Estancia Excursions and this trip to Volunteer Point.
We were very fortunate as we boarded one of the first tenders from the ship around 8:00 a.m. By 9:30 the winds and waves were so strong that the harbormaster would not allow anyone else to tender from the cruise ship. Most cruise passengers did not get to visit the Falkland Islands that day. Apparently the wind and waves are often quite strong here and many ships have to pass by without stopping for the day.
I would highly recommend Estancia Excursions and this trip to Volunteer Point.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for choosing Estancia Excursions.
We actually only lose very few visits each season because of the weather thankfully. Sadly it's one of the downsides of a tendering port, but you made it!! :)
Written March 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trish L
United States122 contributions
Feb 2023
Everything about this tour was fantastic! Nyree was organized and matched us up with another couple and our driver, Curt. Curt was knowledgeable, personable, hilariously funny, professional and made what I feared would be an awful drive over rough terrain, fun! Curt went out of his way to make sure we got the absolute most of the tour. If you are considering going to Volunteer Point, do it. It was by far the highlight of our two weeks in South America, and while the journey to the penguins was a little bumpy, this magical land is worth it. There are many tour operators that offer this tour, but in my opinion, Estancia Excursions was the absolute best.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, and shall ensure that Kurt sees your comments. Thank you :)
Written February 25, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donald M
2 contributions
Jan 2023
These people are the best!!!!! I had been canceled by another company because I was traveling alone. Nyree was able to fit me in at the last moment. A total lifesaver as I had traveled there just to see the penguins. Tara I believe was our guide and was as informative and pleasant as could be. I saw more penguins in their natural habitat than I could have dreamed of. The highlight was watching 8 penguins march single file down a hillside and dive into the sea one by one. The best video I have ever taken! I just can't say enough good things about this company. Oh yeah, their fees are among some of the most reasonable. If you are arriving by cruise ship as I did DO NOT book through the ship. Contact these people directly and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you. Happy to have been able to help you out. :)
Written February 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ashandbart
9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We were picked up at the port by lee, a local farmer who drove us (for 2 hours mainly across dirt roads, and paddocks) to volunteer point. It is a long, bumpy trip, but totally worth it to see the huge king penguin colony. There are also Magellan and gentoo penguins in large numbers.
A highlight of our trip to Patagonia!
A highlight of our trip to Patagonia!
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for a fab review. I will pass this on to Lee.
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wendyjGalstonNSW
Sydney, Australia54 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We spent the day with Justin who was very chatty and informative on our venture to Volunteer Point to see the penguins. Best day. It took some pretty skilled off road driving by Justin with a couple of oops moments when we got stuck, but was no trouble getting back on track for Justin.
The penguin rookeries were fabulous with hundreds of King, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins around the site. Some waddled right up to us.
All in all a great day and well worth the 2 hr drive to get there.
The penguin rookeries were fabulous with hundreds of King, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins around the site. Some waddled right up to us.
All in all a great day and well worth the 2 hr drive to get there.
Written March 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
que temperatura se tiene para el 14 al 21 de diciembre?
Estoy interesada en P Voluntarios y Bertha beach
Written June 5, 2019
Hello how long is the tour and is there transportation from the ship
Written October 30, 2018
Hi
Can you give me pricing and any options for the tour? We will be visiting in February of next year ( 2019 ). It will be myself, my wife, and our three year old daughter.
Regards,
Dave S
Written March 17, 2018
We booked our excursions on line at Estancia Tours and made all arrangements with Nyree who is the owner. She is a lovely young lady and extremely organized.
We did not pay at the time of booking. Nyree policy was that you do not pay until you arrive in the Falklands. She was waiting with a flag on the pier and had 12 Landrovers with drivers waiting to take cruise passengers on our adventures. 4 people to a landrover for a very rough bumpy ride for 2 hours to get to Volunteer Point. We were a group of 6 but just split up for the ride and met up once we arrived at Volunteer Point. It was well worth the trip. The cost was $160 USD per person and Nyree packed us a lunch. Fantastic tour and excursion. We had Ken as a driver and he provided non stop information on the Falklands and many points of interest. If you want to see penquins, this is definitely the tour to take and for less than 1/2 the price of the ship price
Written March 19, 2018
Hola.
Estoy interesado en comprar excursiones para la semana desde 10 de marzo 2018 al 17 de marzo del 2018.
Mi intensión es conocer la isla.
Aguardo su respuesta
Saludos.
Marcos lupi
Written December 14, 2017
Hola Marcos puedes encontrar en este grupo,ellos trabajan con excursiones para este destino ....viajemosamalvinas
Written January 13, 2018
How did you contact Estancia Excursions and what was the cost? We are going in December.
Written April 30, 2017
We contacted them by email through the website. The cost of our trip was about£100 per person. It sounds a lot, but was money well spent. I never dreamt that I would get so close to penguins in the wild, in such a beautiful setting! December is mid-summer, so you might be lucky with the weather. It was sunny but very windy at Volunteer Point. My daughter lived in the Falklands for 6 months, and says you can get all four seasons in one hour.
Written May 1, 2017
pingchuwan
New York City, New York
我想知道你们是否去Bluff Cove lagoon Penguin colonies?你们charge 一人費用多少？幾個小時？细節如何請告知！！
Written February 17, 2017
Hello,
You can only visit Bluff Cove Lagoon if you book the tour to there on the ship. You cannot visit privately.
Kind regards,
Written February 18, 2017
pingchuwan
New York City, New York
嗨，我们一组三人將在三月十三日到 Port Stanley，我們的渡輪将停留一天( 8am-6pm)，你們去Bluff Cove Lagoon嗎？每人收费多少？音告之細節。謝謝
Written February 17, 2017
Yc Tennyson C
Hong Kong, China
We are party of 4 will visit Stanley on Feb 7 by cruise, and spend almost full day there, may I know if there was too much bumpy marsh land on the rough terrain, not sure if our ladies are comfortable for the tour! Furthermore could you recall the approximate price per head for budgeting purpose.
Thank you so much
YC Chan
Written January 12, 2017
It is extremely bumpy, but it's well worth toughing it out. You can take some Dramamine if you're worried about motion sickness. This was one of the highlights of our trip. We also paid 110 GBP per person.
Written January 17, 2017
Hello Tammy, please can you give some tips on footwear for visiting the penguines. We will be there hopefully early January, so it will be pretty cold. Would runners with wool socks do the job? We are trying to get away without bringing our bigger boots and we would probably only use them for a couple of days in our 4 weeks.
What did you do re currency Tammy?
Any other tips would be greatfully received!
Many thanks
Jude
Written December 17, 2016
You're coming to the southern hemisphere. Mid January is mid summer. It's far from roasting but temperatures should be between 15 & 25 deg C.
Written December 17, 2016
We will be on the Holland American cruise, stopping in Puerto Madryn on Feb. 17. Can you reply with details of your outing, food? price? time frame?
Written November 2, 2016
Puerto Madryn is in Argentina! Nothing to do with the British Falkland Islands whatsoever!!
Written November 2, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 26