Things to do in the Falklands Islands
Bird watching
This is one of the main reasons for visiting the Falkland Islands as well as gaining an appreciation for these wild, untouched habitats. Traditionally, the islands were very farming orientated but, with the help of Falklands Conservation, awareness and appreciation of wildlife has taken hold of islanders and tour operators too. There are five species of penguins on the islands – they far outnumber humans – and there are nesting and migratory sites for over 200 species of bird. These include the endemic Cobb’s wren and the flightless steamer duck. On Carcass Island, there are somewhat vicious straited cara-caras, known locally as "Johnny Rooks”, which take no prisoners. Bleaker Island boasts three species of penguin, imperial cormorants and southern giant petrels, and West Point is where the black-browed albatross likes to hover. A tailor made vacation to the Falkland Islands will help you seek out your favourite fauna, with the help of a local naturalist guide.
Cruise to Antarctica
The Falkland Islands are nearly 500km off South America’s Patagonian shores and are, therefore, one of the first stops on small ship cruises heading to the Antarctic Peninsula. With expedition ships usually leaving the Argentinean port of Ushuaia, they head northeast to the Falkland Islands and then south to South Georgia, South Orkney and South Shetland Islands. Cruises culminate in the Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible part of the wild and wonderful White Continent. Taking this route means that you not only get to enjoy a day or two taking wildlife watching tours on the Falklands, but you avoid the worst of the notorious Drake Passage crossing en route to Antarctica.
Our top trip
Falkland Islands wildlife tour
10 day Falklands birds and wildlife adventure
From
£3382 to £4133
10 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made and runs between October - March
This trip can be tailor made and runs between October - March
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Whales & elephant seals
We watched Commerson’s dolphins surfing at Bertha’s Beach on West Island, looking like total surfer dudes.![]()
There is some seriously large wildlife making the Falkland Islands its home, the most famous being the elephant seal population on Sea Lion Island, which is around 1,800. Just one of several pinnipeds on the island, the population is actually in decline as there is a conflict with commercial fishing. The seal population does bring in other marine mammals though, with killer, fin, sei, and minke whales, Peale's and Commerson's dolphins all contributing to the carnival of cetaceans here.
Stanley & island history
We visited Falkland Beerworks Brewery. Although it’s not officially open to visitors, they happened to be brewing that weekend and welcomed us in.![]()
The capital city is on East Falkland Island, the largest in the archipelago, and home to over 2,000 people, the majority of the population. Stanley (note: not Port Stanley) is the hub of the island’s history, pubs, hotels and cafes. Visit Christ Church cathedral, the Historic Dockyard Museum and the Post Office has the finest collection of Falklands Stamps. The Falklands Conservation headquarters is a must, too.
More Falkland Islands articles
A wildlife-rich archipelago, the almost 3,000-strong population is fiercely proud of its island heritage, self sufficiency and conservation efforts....
The best time to visit the Falkland Islands is between November and March - the southern summer, when the days are long and wildlife abundant...
Every name has a story here, from Stanley, which was named after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, to Sea Lion Island...
With petrels, black-browed albatrosses, and endemics such as Cobb's wren, plus - of course - the penguins, you never tire of bird watching in the Falklands...
The Falklands are the perfect stopover on an Antarctic cruise, being close to the southern tip of Patagonia where most small ship cruises begin...
Our experts give advice about the natural wonders to be seen here, what to pack, how to spend money locally and what to expect on a small ship cruise...
Responsible tourism in the Falkland Islands is all about putting people and penguins first. Conservation and habitat restoration are vital in these parts...
