Weddell Island

Weddell is among the largest islands in the Falklands and one of the least visited, a big place of hills, ponds and coastline off the southwestern corner of West Falkland. Patagonian grey foxes were introduced in the early 1930s and a few reindeer arrived from South Georgia in the 2010s, and both still live there, which makes the island's fauna unlike anywhere else in the group. Penguins and geese breed along the coasts. It covers around two hundred and sixty-five square kilometres, which makes it the third largest island in the archipelago.

Background

Spanish maps call it Isla San José. Until the mid-nineteenth century it went by the name Swan Island, recorded as early as 1785. The present name honours James Weddell, the British sealer and explorer, who spent the winter of 1823 ashore here at Quaker Harbour. John MacBride discovered the island in 1766, during the first hydrographic survey of the archipelago aboard HMS Jason. It ranks among the largest private islands in the world, with a coastline of 175.7 km and a high point of 383 m. Its only inhabited place, Weddell Settlement, has a single-digit population working in sheep farming and tourism. It is listed as a priority Key Biodiversity Area and as an Important Plant Area.

Source: Wikipedia, "Weddell Island"

Highlights

• The introduced foxes - Patagonian grey foxes brought in and still present.
• The reindeer - a small herd brought over from South Georgia in the 2010s.
• The scale - one of the largest islands in the archipelago.
• The coastline - penguin and goose colonies around the shores.

When to go

October to March is the season for breeding birds. Winter is severe with limited access. Wind is constant in every month.

What to expect

The island is very large and covering it needs a vehicle and time. Accommodation is limited and self-catering. The introduced mammals have done real damage to native ground-nesting birds.

Nearby

Port Stephens is southeast, and New Island is northwest.

Key facts