Falkland Inseln

We dropped anchor around 07:30 and dispatched a Zodiac to transfer the port authorities on board so that we could clear the ship for our disembarkation into Stanley. Many guests were simply happy to explore the “capital city’s” highlights independently.
As the guests and staff alike had their fill of the towns unique culture and hospitality, it was time to head back to Ocean Victory, our trusty home which lay at anchor 400 meters from the harbour. The expedition team relayed guests back to the ship in Zodiacs but, unlike the calm crossing of the morning, wind conditions in the bay had increased substantially and many enjoyed a refreshing wash-down before entering the ship’s side-gates.

Stanley

Falkland Kriegs Denkmal

At 08:30, we began our morning operation at West Point Island. Guests disembarked for a scenic 3 km round-trip walk across rolling terrain to reach a stunning Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguin colony. The nesting site was located in as lightly muddy area, yet it provided an excellent opportunity for guests to observe the species in different stages of their life cycle and engaged in social interactions. The experience allowed for intimate yet respectful wildlife viewing, ensuring that natural behaviors were not disturbed. Along the way, guests also spotted various bird species, including ducks and shags, adding to the richness of the experience. After enjoying time at the colony, we returned to the settlement, where our island hosts warmly welcomed everyone with a delightful second breakfast featuring homemade cakes, biscuits, coffee and tea. This provided a perfect opportunity for guests to relax, share their observations, and appreciate the warm hospitality of West Point. The landing concluded shortly before noon, with everyone returning to the ship highly satisfied followed by a pod of Commerson’s dolphin close to the ship.

West Point

Truthahngeier

Sturmvogel

Schwarzbrauenalbatros

Falklandkarakara

Commerson-Delfine

We started our afternoon expedition at Saunders Island at 14:30. Before disembarkation, guests had the incredible experience of watching Commerson’s dolphins bow-riding in front of the ship and spotting Sei whales surfacing nearby. Upon landing on Saunders Island’s sandy beach, guests embarked on a scenic hike toobserve four penguin species: Gentoo, King, Rock hopper, and Magellanic. Each species was seen engaging in different activities from adults returning from the sea after foraging, some individuals molting and other ones collecting rocks and subtractsfor their nests. The rugged cliffs and windswept grasslands provided a dramatic backdrop, enhancing the experience to the Albatross and Rock hopper colony. Additionally, at the beach on the opposite side of the landing site, Commerson’s dolphins were seen surfing the waves, offering yet another spectacular wildlife moment. As the day drew to a close, we
returned to the ship with slightly choppy seas, but conditions remained manageable, and the operation was carried out smoothly.

Saunders Island, The Neck

Eselpinguin, Magelanpinguin

Eselpinguin

Die Besitzer von Saunders Island, David und Suzan

As our final day at sea transitioned into evening, the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the End-of-Voyage Slideshow at 18:00 brought the expedition team and guests together to celebrate shared experiences. The slideshow offered a visual recap of the journey, allowing guests to relive memorable moments. The day concluded with a Captain’s Farewell Dinner at 19:00, marking a perfect ending to an extraordinary voyage.

After last night’s end-of-voyage celebrations, we awoke much too early for our departure from M/V Ocean Victory. We want to stay and explore more of the Southern Ocean, but we have to leave the ship and the people we have come to know over the past days. We’ve been immersed in the landscapes and the wildlife of the Southern Ocean , but it’s now time to return home and continue life’s journey.
Together we have experienced an incredible wilderness. We have marveled at magnificent mountains and glaciers, watched our captain navigate through rough seas, felt the power of the elements and seen how quickly they change. We had the opportunity to see the magnificence of the Southern Ocean, its beautiful wildlife, like Albatrosses, Humpback Whales, several species of petrels and the beautiful Weddell seal…the magic of the Southern Ocean is now in our hearts, running through our veins… we’ll be back, we’ll be back for sure…
We hope that you will return and enjoy the experience with us, some time in the future!

Farewell, adieu, and goodbye…

Nach Verlassen der Ocean Victory flogen wir am selben Tag nach Buenos Aires, wo wir noch einen 3-tägigen Stop einlegten, bevor wir die Heimreise antraten.