Volunteer Beach is notable because it has the only substantial nesting colony of king penguins outside South Georgia islands and if there is a not-to-be-missed spot in Falklands this is it. The area is a wildlife sanctuary within a sheep farm and is reachable by full day 4WD tours from Stanley.

During my visit there was just one other 4WD tour present so a total of eight widely scattered people in the sanctuary (the other tour left shortly so that left four of us). The king penguin colony is quite large though not huge, the birds are social and territorial and exhibit some most interesting behavior, as well as of course being the prettiest of penguins (to avoid feeling blasé in your penguin adventures in Falklands, it may be worth scheduling the kings last). Volunteer Beach itself is another of those picturesque glistening white sand beaches that serves as the perfect backdrop for photos. In addition to kings, there is a moderate sized colony of gentoo penguins just a few steps away as well as many magellanic penguins with their burrows. Seals are often spotted on the beach (e.g. eating a penguin, those bastards).