Cape Dolphin

Cape Dolphin is the northernmost point of East Falkland, a headland of low cliffs and stone runs with a long sand beach on its eastern side where sea lions haul out and elephant seals appear at times. Gentoo and magellanic penguins breed nearby and the cliffs hold shags. The track out crosses several kilometres of camp from the main road and needs four wheel drive.

The landscape

• The sea lions - the animals hauling out on the beach below the headland.
• The long beach - sand running along the eastern side of the cape.
• The stone runs - the rivers of quartzite boulders across the ground.
• The penguin colonies - gentoo and magellanic breeding nearby.

When to go

October to March is the breeding and haul-out season. Winter is bleak with limited access. Wind on the exposed headland is severe.

Things to know

The track out crosses private camp and permission is needed. Soft ground bogs vehicles easily and recovery is a long way off. There is no shelter anywhere on the headland.

Nearby

Port Louis is south-east, and Stanley beyond it.

Key facts