Has anyone done either of these SA excursions?

[petlover]

Has anyone ever done either of these excursions? Hoping for feedback.

 

Excursion Detail for Punta del Este, Uraguay

Sea Wolves Island

 

Duration: 2½ Hours.

Seated.

 

 

This special-interest tour provides nature lovers with the opportunity to observe the amazing sea wolves' habitat, Isla de Lobos (now a government wildlife reserve and sanctuary), located just six miles away. Following your tender ride ashore, you will board a private motorboat for the trip to this ecological reserve, which is home to a huge colony of endangered sea lions and seals. This colony is unique in that the animals never migrate but stay on year round. As it is not permitted to set foot on the island, the boat will circle around to provide you with unrestricted views of the animals. After about 45 minutes, you will return to the pier where the tender will return you to the ship. This is a unique chance to observe the largest sea-wolf colony in the world.

 

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Or This one.........

 

Excursion Detail for Port Stanley,Falkland Islands

Sparrow Cove Penguin Adventure

 

Duration: 2½ Hours.

Walking.

 

 

You will be met at the ship by Sulivan's launch and transported to the pontoon at Sparrow Cove, which forms part of Port William where the ship anchors. It is approximately a 10 minute launch journey from the ship to Sparrow Cove. Here guests are greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Lowe and other experienced local driver/guides, to travel 30 minutes across country in off-road vehicles to the Gentoo penguin colony.

During this drive you will gain an insight into just how sparsely populated these islands are. Visitors can often see King penguins as well as other fascinating wildlife, such as red-backed hawks, Falkland Skuas, Upland Geese and the Falkland Flightless steamer duck. There are fantastic views, providing great photographic opportunities of Stanley and the ship.

Guests will walk about 100 yards across rough ground, as vehicles are not permitted closer to the birds. From this vantage point you may be able to closely observe up to 1600 Gentoo penguins and up to 5 breeding pairs of King penguins, as well as other wildlife. There are basic toilet facilities and a shelter. A few locally made items and postcards are on sale in the shelter, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate and home baked cookies, as well as a brochure, are provided.

[Lvteks]

I have read where there are times when the ship cannot dock or tender at Port Stanley due to sea/weather conditions. Will these tours give refunds or do you only pay when you arrive? We will be there on December 9th. Any information appreciated.

 

Blessings,

Gail

[petlover]

Gail, These are both excursions offered through Radisson so if we were to deviate from the port for any reason, everything is 100% refundable as I'm sure it would be with any cruiseline.

 

Actually how Radisson has worked previous excursions (not the overnight ones offered on lengthy cruises) is if you cancel 24 hours prior to the excursion it is 100% refundable. Each cruiseline would have their own cancellation policy so it's always best to confirm.

[jasl]

Sparrow Cove is a fantastic area to view the penquins, you can get real close to the beasties, they have no fear. It is very windy there, so dress in layers, let's hope you'll have good weather.

Another area for good viewing is Magdelena Island, an excursion offered in Punta Arenas. You will go by ferry which takes about two hours to get there. It is very easy walking and the penquins are different from those at Sparrow Cove.

[Wahoo89]

Agree with the above ... you can get very close to the penguins at Sparrow Cove. We saw a pair of King penguins as advertised. Our weather there was miserable (driving rain, chilly, incredible wind), and the 15-minute ride there is over some incredibly bumpy terrain, but I would do it again tomorrow. The whole experience took 2-3 hours, so you'll still have time to see Stanley.

 

I've heard Magdelena Island in Punta Arenas and the Punto Tomba rookery in Argentina are better, but those were not options for us.