Volunteer Point is the clear fit when seeing a large king-penguin colony is your main goal. Bertha’s Beach fits travelers who prefer gentoo penguins, a broad white-sand coastal setting and a different mix of birdlife and possible dolphins. Both require planned access rather than casual arrival.
Penguins
Volunteer Point combines king, gentoo and Magellanic penguins. Bertha’s Beach is particularly associated with gentoos and also has Magellanic penguins. If kings are non-negotiable, Volunteer Point answers the question immediately.
Landscape and other wildlife
Bertha’s is a Ramsar wetland and Important Bird Area with coastal birds and frequently observed Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins. Volunteer Point’s draw is the colony experience and remote coastal landscape.
Access
Volunteer Point requires advance permission and experienced local transport. Day visitors to Bertha’s Beach also need permission and charges may apply. Confirm current arrangements before the cruise date.
See the full Bertha’s Beach guide for current visitor considerations.
How to decide between them
Volunteer Point offers the iconic large king-penguin experience but demands much more road and off-road time. Bertha’s Beach is closer and centers on gentoo penguins, broad white sand and wetland birdlife. For photographers, the decision is not simply colony size: consider usable time on site, light, weather, the species you already expect elsewhere in your itinerary and how much of a cruise day you are comfortable spending in transit.
