Read what past guest have said about their amazing experience with Jimmy Curtis Touring in the Falkland Islands.
I did a privately booked tour from a cruise ship to Volunteer Point with Jimmy Curtis in November 2019. Jimmy's trip was significantly cheaper than the tour offered by the... read more ship (although there are always some benefits to consider in booking with the ship, not least that they will look after you if there are any problems or delays). Jimmy suggested I got the first available tender ashore (there is nowhere for cruise ships to dock in Stanley), which I did. Although it was early, Jimmy was waiting and suggested we set off immediately before the ship's tour came ashore.
It takes about 1 hour to get to Johnson's Harbour, over good roads or tracks, but, to get beyond that on any tour, your driver basically has to drive across the bog. Jimmy was brilliant: he knew the bog like the back of his hand, drove carefully and comfortably, but kept clear of any areas where he would get stuck, and got me to Volunteer Point in another 1½ hours. Because of his quick start, I had the entire penguin colony to explore completely by myself, with just two other visitors who had come off an exorbitantly expensive helicopter trip. It was wonderful to see all three species of penguins (Magellanic, Gentoo, and at least 800 King Penguins and their chicks), completely undisturbed by humans. It had a good 40 minutes by myself at the penguin colonies before the massed group from the ship arrived (on at least a dozen 4WD vehicles, four of which had got "bogged" on the route across).
I had more than 2 amazing hours at the penguins, then Jimmy provided a very welcome packed lunch and coffee, before driving me safely back to Stanley, again without any problems in the bog, and pointing out some nice wildlife along the way including a Variable Hawk and Maiden Pink, the national flower of the Falklands.
Jimmy was a very amiable and knowledgeable guide, full of stories about the islands and the islanders. He prided himself in the safety and comfort of his driving, was clearly very concerned to ensure that disturbance to wildlife was kept to an absolute minimum, and ensured he got me back to Stanley in plenty of time for a bit of shopping and exploration before returning to the ship. I could not have had a better guide, and Volunteer Point is one of the best places I have visited in 15 years of cruising. I have 300 wonderful penguin photos to prove it!
December 20, 2019
We are touring antartica and the Falkland Isles with Hurtigruten. Had the most amazing trip.
We stopped off in the Falklands and booked our 4x4 experience to see... read more the penguins at Volunteer Point We booked through an agency but now understand you can book direct. Jimmy and his drivers were there to meet us as promised in their bright yellow tops. Hurtigruten let the private tours take the first boat off the ship so we were there prompt.
Our driver Steve was amazing he had lots of facts and history of the island which he shared. They had a packed lunch for us when we finally reached our destination. Their driving skills were second to none and we had been lucky enough to ride in Steve comfy 4x4. It's very rough terrain and you should be prepared but you are in good hands. Volunteer point will not disappoint you with 3 species of penguins including the King penguins.
Steve very kindly took us a tour of Stanley on our return explaining more about the city of the Falklands.
Amazing tour professional organisation thoroughly recommended.
519bernadettesDecember 27, 2022
What a fantastic day out to Volunteer Point!
Getting there (and back) in the Land Rovers is half the fun! Our driver, Adrian, was fun, courteous and... read more answered our plethora of questions. He also helped us find a local brewer to visit to celebrate the great day we had after our return to Stanley.
AndraInOttawaDecember 3, 2022
Don’t book (even via Viator) - Despite turning up for our trip on time this operator left before the allocated time. We requested a refund via Viator and this tour guide rejected. We had photo and... read more receipt evidence we were there on time and emails. He came back later in the day and was verbally aggressive to two females who had done nothing other than complain he had left us behind. We will be following up our appeal and escalating to the tourist board as this type of behaviour gives the Falklands operators who do a great job a really bad name.
January 27, 2023
Jimmy Curtis from Volunteer Point Tours
Volunteer Point is a “must” if you are visiting the Falkland Islands. Thanks to Jimmy Curtis of Volunteer Point Tours and Sue our driver, we had an amazing day.
Travelling is mainly “off-roading” and we were glad that the weather was fine, not sure about doing it in the wet, but that would be another experience!
We were able to spend nearly two hours walking around the beach with the King and Magellanic penguins. A nice “box” lunch was supplied.
The tour is not cheap, (cheaper than the ship’s tours), but to experience the penguins in their own environment was worth every pound.
One of the highlights of our cruise and an experience definitely we will never ever forget.
Once again thank you Jimmy and Sue for a great day.
macca2525
Excellent Trip With Jimmy Curtis
Had a perfect booking and excellent trip to Volunteer Point on December 31, 2018 with Jimmy Curtis.
Our driver named Steve was brilliant, giving us insights and narrative and jokes along the almost 2-hours off road trip to and from the Penguin Colonies at Volunteer Point.
Food was provided along with drink and it was a nice touch to the trip.
Volunteer Point is a MUST SEE with different rookeries of penguins all located in the same spot. Incredible photo opportunites and ability to get very close to these amazing creatures.
I cant say enough positive things about the overall trip and our experience to this location using Jimmy Curtis.
Kolasa03148
Outstanding trip to the King Penguins!!
Jimmy Curtis is an expert guide, driver and so knowledgeable about the area – born and raised there! I sent an e-mail a couple of weeks prior to our port of call to see if my husband and I could join on one of their tours. We were added to the list, he met us at the port and off we went. Almost 2.5 hours to get to Volunteer Point – so fun to see the lay of the land and “rock rivers” & great chat with both him and Sue along the way. We had loads of time with the penguins – hundreds of them! – we watched as they marched down to the water to swim, encouraged their young to be independent, and communicate with one another about who knows what. What a marvelous experience. A must do!!
Mary F H
First to see the penguins!
Thank you Jimmy Curtis! Look for the yellow jackets as you reach the pier. We had the best tour guide and transportation to Volunteer Point! The first to arrive – took pictures without people! It was amazing – we never got stuck in our 4×4 saw and heard about the Falklands as we were traveling. Jimmy
Even made sure we were back in plenty of time to walk around Port Stanley👍
Best excursion ever! 😎. Kerri and John
Michigan
Kerri and John
Incredible Tour with Jimmy Curtis from Volunteer Point Tours – Once in a lifetime experience
Wow. That’s all I can say. THANK YOU JIMMY!
Volunteer Point is an exceptional place for any animal lover, however, I think it is only a part of what visitors to the Falkland Islands should experience. Thanks to Jimmy Curtis and Volunteer Point Tours, our time in Stanley and at Volunteers was exceptional from the moment we stepped off our tender until we returned.
Getting to Volunteer Point is not for the fait of heart. The travel there and back is mostly “off-roading” and for the four of us in Jimmy’s 4×4, he ensured to make it a memorable experience. While there are a number of ways one can traverse the hills and fields to and from Volunteers, Jimmy promised and delivered a wild ride, which should be a shore excursion in itself! Of course, there are calmer ways to get there, and we had those options, but we asked for some excitement – and he delivered!
Upon arriving at Volunteers, we were able to spend nearly two hours walking amongst thousands of King and Magellanic penguins. While you can’t, nor don’t want to, disturb the penguins, they are nonetheless walking amongst the tourists, living their lives. You can head down to the beach and see them go for a swim, and just follow them everywhere. Unlike other colonies, there are very little restrictions as per what you can do. This place is incredible.
But one of the most important things for us, when having limited time at ports-of-call, is really trying to get a taste of the culture and life and I have to say that our day with Jimmy really made our time at the Falklands special.
Jimmy has lived on the islands since he was 8 years old. He actually immigrated there only six months before the war with Argentina, and he shared his memories with us as well as really gave us a peek into daily life on the islands. There were a number of tour options available (City tour, battlefield tour, etc.) and I think in just talking with and spending 4 hours in the car with Jimmy, we had everything rolled up into one.
Upon returning from Volunteers, Jimmy pointed out some important battlefields and wreckage along the way (satisfying my interest in the war) and gave us a tour of Stanley, allowing us to see all the highlights: government buildings, schools, memorials – and even his mother in law’s house!
Everything was timed perfectly that we even had some extra time to grab a pint, with, you guessed it, Jimmy (and his wife, Tanya), before heading back to our ship!
While it is true that the Volunteer Point excursion, whether booked with the cruise ship or on your own, is not cheap, however, for the penguins alone, it is worth every penny. But when you get to spend your time with someone, it makes the experience definitely one you will never ever forget.
We read a bunch of reviews for other guides, but we are so so so happy we found Jimmy. We urge you to send him an e-mail at: curtis@volunteerpointtours.com. If you’re heading out there. You’ll thank us later!!!