West Point, Falkland Islands

West Point Island is one of the Falkland Islands, lying west of West Falkland, from which it is separated by the Wooly Cut channel. It has an area of slightly less than 15 km² and is run as a sheep farm.

This island is well known for its wildlife and dramatic scenery including the highest sea cliffs in the archipelago. The highest point on the island is Mount Misery at 369 metres, while a settlement and airstrip lie in the north east.

Wildlife on West Point includes rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatrosses and Commerson's dolphins. The island was originally known as Albatross Island and was a popular site for slaughtering seals and penguins for oil.

Things to see and do

* Rockhopper penguins
* Sea birds
* Dolphins
* Whales

Cruise Season – Nov - April
Currency – Falkland Islands Pound (FKP)
Language – English
Land Area – 15 km²
Population – 3,150 approx
Electricity – 2 vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time – GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code – +500

Port Location - Large cruise ships stop at the port of Stanley throughout the summer.

Transport Links – Most international flights arrive at the Mount Pleasant (MPN) airport, 56km (35 miles) from Stanley. The only international carriers to use this airport are LanChile on a weekly flight from Santiago de Chile via Punta Arenas (CL), Rio Gallegos (AR) (monthly) and the UK Royal Air Force who carry commercial passengers direct from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. Flights from the UK last eighteen hours including a stop on Ascension Island en route. The RAF contracts two flights per week which are subject to military priorities. There is also an airport in Stanley (PSY) but it has a smaller runway and is used primarily for flights within the Falklands.