Falklands Helicopter Services
Falklands Helicopter Services
Falklands Helicopter Services
5
4WD, ATV & Off-Road ToursHelicopter ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
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About
We are a small family run helicopter company run by experienced aviators with many years and hours of flying experience in the Falkland Islands.
Why drive? We offer guided helicopter tours to the Volunteer Point King Penguin colony, scenic flights and charters, all on request. Make the most of your limited time in the Falklands.
Please view our website and get in touch for more information.
Stanley, Falkland Islands
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Falklands Helicopter Services
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5.0
34 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
0
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0
Poor
0
Terrible
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Debra F
8 contributions
Feb 2020
We contacted Tom in advance of our visit to Port Stanley upon the recommendation of a well known and experienced Antarctic expedition leader. Tom was booked on the day our visit but as luck would have it the weather was not great for flying and the other cruise ship in port decided to leave early .Many of their passengers had to cancel excursions. I found Tom waiting at the end of the tender pier and he was able to make our penguin dreams come true. Tom took us to Bertha's Beach in his 4X4 to spend some quality time with the Gentoo penguin population. He gave us an amazing tour - sharing his extensive knowledge of the Falkland Island's history, geography, topography and more. Tom's love and passion for his home is obvious and contagious. We can't wait to return to Port Stanley and hopefully fly out to Volunteer Point to see the King Penguins. Thanks Tom, for making our visit so special and memorable.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saul Z
28 contributions
Jun 2020
We were due to leave the Falklands the following week and wanted to experience the best of the Islands one last time this winter. I contacted Sparky on the Sunday evening and asked if we could organise a trip to Volunteer Point. The only likely weather window was the next morning on Monday and we were very pleased FHS could accommodate at such short notice.
We met at the airport at sunrise to meet our pilot Tom. The trip to Volunteer Point itself was amazing. The views from the helicopter as we flew over Stanley and the mountains to the West were fantastic in the golden morning light. The views from this aircraft over the Falklands landscape are the best I've seen. As we approached Volunteer Point Tom spotted Southern Right Whales in the bay and we were able to watch them in the turquoise, clear water from above. That was something I didn't expect and it was a first. We hadn't touched down yet but this trip had already far exceeded expectations!
As a local tour guide myself who has done many trips to this location, the experience was both unique and special. We would normally drive to Volunteer Point in a 4x4 which takes 2.5 hrs but in the winter this track is much more challenging. Flying by helicopter midwinter meant we were able to experience all the chicks with their fluffy juvenile feathers and we had the whole area to ourselves.
Tom gave us plenty of time with the penguins and we left feeling very privileged that we were able to have such an incredible experience after so many months of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. How lucky to access this area in the middle of winter. It was perfect and a trip we'll never forget.
Thank you to all at Falklands Helicopter Services for this epic experience before we left our beautiful shores. You made our last few days so much more memorable.
Zoran and Juliette
We met at the airport at sunrise to meet our pilot Tom. The trip to Volunteer Point itself was amazing. The views from the helicopter as we flew over Stanley and the mountains to the West were fantastic in the golden morning light. The views from this aircraft over the Falklands landscape are the best I've seen. As we approached Volunteer Point Tom spotted Southern Right Whales in the bay and we were able to watch them in the turquoise, clear water from above. That was something I didn't expect and it was a first. We hadn't touched down yet but this trip had already far exceeded expectations!
As a local tour guide myself who has done many trips to this location, the experience was both unique and special. We would normally drive to Volunteer Point in a 4x4 which takes 2.5 hrs but in the winter this track is much more challenging. Flying by helicopter midwinter meant we were able to experience all the chicks with their fluffy juvenile feathers and we had the whole area to ourselves.
Tom gave us plenty of time with the penguins and we left feeling very privileged that we were able to have such an incredible experience after so many months of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. How lucky to access this area in the middle of winter. It was perfect and a trip we'll never forget.
Thank you to all at Falklands Helicopter Services for this epic experience before we left our beautiful shores. You made our last few days so much more memorable.
Zoran and Juliette
Written 7 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Betterbewhere
Washington DC, DC2 contributions
Jan 2020
We worked with Tom to arrange a helicopter trip to both Volunteer Point and the Rockhoppers. It was awesome. Bill (Tom's brother) gave us a great tour at Vol Point. We were there at least an hour before any driven tours arrived. Had the whole place to our selves. Then we went to the Rockhoppers where Sparky showed us around, again all by ourselves.
The cost was pretty reasonable given what the cruise ships charge and the time and effort required is so much less. It takes 2 1/2 hours to drive to Vol Point and it is not an easy drive. It is 20 minutes in the chopper.
No concerns about timing or missing the boat, the team at FHS has a plan in case of issues and is super professional. I never once had any concern about missing our ship.
Best decision we ever made.
The cost was pretty reasonable given what the cruise ships charge and the time and effort required is so much less. It takes 2 1/2 hours to drive to Vol Point and it is not an easy drive. It is 20 minutes in the chopper.
No concerns about timing or missing the boat, the team at FHS has a plan in case of issues and is super professional. I never once had any concern about missing our ship.
Best decision we ever made.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kjcayman
Grand Cayman5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
By far the highlight of our trip. As Falkland Islanders, both Tom, our pilot, and his brother Bill, our guide, are incredibly knowledgeable about the islands, the penguins and the general wildlife of the Falkland Islands. They told us stories of their lives as boys growing up there and this added an extra dimension to the trip. They don’t sell through the cruise ship which, when compared to the price of a bone-shaking off-road drive, makes their trip incredibly good value. Plus we were there well before the overlanders so had the penguins to ourselves. We also were able to spot whales and dolphins from the air and had the most amazing views of East Falkland on the flights there and back. I can’t recommend these guys enough. If you only take one trip, make it this one.
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley S
LaGrangeville, NY94 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Tom took us up to volunteer point late afternoon on a perfect sunny day. Great views during the short flight but the king penguins are the real stars - loved watching them come/go from the sea, squabble, screech and preen.
Definitely recommend the flight over the bone-shaking alternative on camp roads.
Definitely recommend the flight over the bone-shaking alternative on camp roads.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie R
83 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Tom, Jane and the team at Falkland Helicopter Services were amazing. It was easy to book through email and Tom was not only a wonderful pilot but a fantastic guide full of local knowledge, history and penguin lore. My partner is a nervous flyer, and had never been in a helicopter previously and was enthralled. Tom made her feel super safe and confident.
We were fortunate to get the first trip of the day to Volunteer Point which meant those travelling overland didn’t arrive until 1.5hours after us. This left the 3 of us (plus Tom, 4 is the max the chopper holds) alone with a colony of King Penguins and Gentoos for a super special experience. We also saw some Mellangenics who were in full nest mode so were just sitting on the ‘porches’ of their burrows.
We’ve been on a cruise ship heading from Rio to Antartica and this has been the highlight of our trip so far, I highly recommend it. My only regret is we didn’t book to then go to see the Rockhoppers and sea lion cove - I would happily have spent all day flying around to different spots! Also, if you enjoy flying and aren’t afraid of heights I recommend the front seat!
We were fortunate to get the first trip of the day to Volunteer Point which meant those travelling overland didn’t arrive until 1.5hours after us. This left the 3 of us (plus Tom, 4 is the max the chopper holds) alone with a colony of King Penguins and Gentoos for a super special experience. We also saw some Mellangenics who were in full nest mode so were just sitting on the ‘porches’ of their burrows.
We’ve been on a cruise ship heading from Rio to Antartica and this has been the highlight of our trip so far, I highly recommend it. My only regret is we didn’t book to then go to see the Rockhoppers and sea lion cove - I would happily have spent all day flying around to different spots! Also, if you enjoy flying and aren’t afraid of heights I recommend the front seat!
Written 16 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ianmantel
Hastings306 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I chose to travel to Volunteer Point penguin colonies by air as it is just 15 minutes from Stanley compared with 2.5 hours by car. I was greeted at the Jetty and flight arrangements confirmed. Driven to the import and seamlessly onto the flight.Tom, the pilot was again very welcoming and made sure of our comfort before a very smooth take-off. Great sight-seeing flight over the water,good views of Stanley and our cruise ship. A long time with the penguins before another very smooth flight back to Stanley, this time going more inland to see topographical features. A truly great experience
Written 15 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolinamoon2015
Alexandria, UK148 contributions
May 2022
From start to finish my trip on the helicopter to Volunteer Point was out of this world .. Transport was arranged to pick me in Stanley, and driven to the airport where my journey began - Tom was brill, we were given safety talk, pre flight, during our journey Tom pointed out little settlements below, which we wouldn't have known off - he acted as tour guide once we landed, he told us wonderful stories about the penguins, their digest system and little things that they do ... . On the journey back to Stanley airport, we hovered over the water, we seen whales , and dolphins, Tom loves a whale or two lol - he took us over small islands to see if we could see more wildlife in their nature habitat
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
afranssen
Atlanta, GA83 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Our second time in Stanley and the first time we were there in November 2019 we did the 4x4 tour to Volunteer Point which we loved. However the second time by Helicopter was even better. Pilot Tom was great and our private guide. Highly recommend this because you get to see the Falklands from the air, see all the penguins at Volunteer Point with your own guide and have time to walk around, have lunch/shop in Stanley. We are planning to come back here and take another helicopter trip as you can never get enough of penguins
Written 19 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jantoby1
Chigwell, England427 contributions
Jan 2020
What a fantastic end to our week this was. Unexpected too, as our tour operator had booked us to Volunteer Point by vehicle off-road, and we only learned of the helicopter option a couple of days before. So glad we did.
Jane collected us from the hotel and took us to the airport. When Tom landed the helicopter at the end of a sightseeing flight, we were raring to go. I was lucky and sat in the front both ways and had a wonderful bird's eye view.
It seemed that no sooner were we up than we were down. First thing after landing was to step in a tray of suitable disinfectant so we didn't walk anything nasty to affect the wildlife. Good to see the company take this seriously.
Then we were off to the incredible King penguin colony. Tom is a Falklander and is very knowledgeable about the islands' penguins. There were around 2000 of these gorgeous creatures, of all ages. Chicks of different ages with their parents, batchelor gangs hanging out away from the family scene. Absolutely fantastic.
We were the last tour of the day and perhaps because of this we had a good couple of hours near the Kings and then strolled over towards the beach to see some Gentoos coming in from the sea, having fed. One chick had got tired of waiting for dinner back in his creche and came desperately chasing an adult as far as the waterline but didn't want to get his feet wet. It was fun to watch and rounded off the afternoon beautifully.
While the countryside code says not to go nearer than 20ft, the penguins don't know that and if you stand still some of the curious younger ones may well come to find out what these two-legged giants are. Super.
If you get the opportunity to do a tour with the company you really should. It's an experience I'll always cherish.
Jane collected us from the hotel and took us to the airport. When Tom landed the helicopter at the end of a sightseeing flight, we were raring to go. I was lucky and sat in the front both ways and had a wonderful bird's eye view.
It seemed that no sooner were we up than we were down. First thing after landing was to step in a tray of suitable disinfectant so we didn't walk anything nasty to affect the wildlife. Good to see the company take this seriously.
Then we were off to the incredible King penguin colony. Tom is a Falklander and is very knowledgeable about the islands' penguins. There were around 2000 of these gorgeous creatures, of all ages. Chicks of different ages with their parents, batchelor gangs hanging out away from the family scene. Absolutely fantastic.
We were the last tour of the day and perhaps because of this we had a good couple of hours near the Kings and then strolled over towards the beach to see some Gentoos coming in from the sea, having fed. One chick had got tired of waiting for dinner back in his creche and came desperately chasing an adult as far as the waterline but didn't want to get his feet wet. It was fun to watch and rounded off the afternoon beautifully.
While the countryside code says not to go nearer than 20ft, the penguins don't know that and if you stand still some of the curious younger ones may well come to find out what these two-legged giants are. Super.
If you get the opportunity to do a tour with the company you really should. It's an experience I'll always cherish.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
did you enjoy your trip, and is the 260 pound limit for all 3 passengers total or individual?
Written 22 August 2019
Per their T&C: Passengers must weigh no more than 120kg (approximately 18 stones and 12 pounds) at the time of the flight. We will do our best to cater for people above 120kg. However, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible all of the time.
Hope this helps?!
Written 23 August 2019
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