Falkland Islands: The Great Wilderness
The archipelago of Falklands, also known as Malvinas, lies off the Patagonian coast (southern part of Argentina). Thus, the nearest continent is South America (480 km or 300 mi), and the second closest is Antarctica (1,210 km or 752 mi). The Falklands consist of an enormous number of islands - two larger ones (East and West Falkland) and 776 smaller ones. This territory is considered a British overseas territory but is self-governed. The archipelago area comprises 12,000 km² (4700 sq mi), and the population was estimated in 2021 at 3,662 inhabitants. People living in the Falklands are primarily British and Scandinavian descent. Regarding biogeography, the Falklands are part of the Antarctic zone, which explains the presence of various penguins - one of the main attractions on the islands. Come to the distant Falklands to enjoy solitude, quietness and remarkably diverse wildlife that has almost no rivals in the modern world.
In the following table, let’s observe the sites across the Falkland Islands celebrated for their wildlife. After all, the majority of tourists visit the islands to observe their incredible wildlife.
| Name | Location | Accessibility | Accommodation | Bird and animal species | Other highlights |
| New Island | In the west of the archipelago | Flights with the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), up to two passengers. Bookings are permitted only for tourists staying for several weeks. Safe anchorages for private yachts. Permission from NICT is required to come ashore (apply in advance). |
Self-catering | Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross, king cormorants, thin-billed prions, striated caracaras, peregrine falcons. | Spectacular cliffs, white sand beaches, secret coves, rugged hills, small open plains. The remains of a land-based whaling station in the main harbour. |
| Sea Lion Island | In the southwest of the archipelago | Visitor accommodation | Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins, Cobb’s wren, Magellanic snipe, tussac birds; sea lions (95% of the archipelago’s population), killer whales. | Low-lying terrain with spectacular cliffs at the southern end. A memorial for HMS Sheffield. |
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| Bleaker Island (formerly known as Breaker Island) | In the southeast of the archipelago | Visitor accommodation | Sheep and Hereford cattle; Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins, crested and striated caracaras, Imperial cormorants, Falkland skuas, ruddy-headed geese, grass wrens, tussac birds, Falkland steamer duck. | Low-lying terrain with lovely beaches and sheltered coves. | |
| Race Point Farm | Port San Carlos, in the northwest of East Falkland | Self-catering at Race Point Farm Cottage, Race Point Farm Flat | Rockhopper and gentoo penguins, owls (in the forest). | Great wildlife, walking and fishing opportunities. Stunning cliffs of Fanning Head. | |
| Whale Point | East Falkland, Kelp Point, Fitzroy Farm | Combination of road and off-road travel. Permission should be sought from FLH Tourism Development Coordinator via e-mail, telephone, or Facebook page. |
Gentoo and Magellanic penguins; southern elephant seals. | Whale bones on the beach. White sand beach. |
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| Port Harriet Nature Reserve | East Falkland, close to Stanley, the islands’ capital | Permission from Newans Station is required. | Gentoo penguins, southern giant petrels, skuas, turkey vultures, rock cormorants, kelp gulls, Falklands flightless steamer ducks. | ||
| Carcass Island (named after HMS Carcass which visited in the late 18th century) | In the northwest of the Falklands archipelago | Carcass Island House | Sheep and cattle; Cobb’s wren, tussac bird, ground tyrant, pipt, thrush, long-tailed meadowlark, glass wren, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, striated caracaras. | The terrain with rocky ridges, steep cliffs, open plains, white sand beaches, pretty coves. The highest point, Mountain Byng, 213 m (700 ft). |
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| Pebble Island | In the northwest of the archipelago | Visitor accommodation | Sheep farm. Gentoo, Magellanic, Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins, waterfowl (e.g. black-necked swans). |
Pebble and white sand beaches (6.4-km (4 mi) long Elephant Beach, the longest in the Falklands), rocky peaks, lakeland area. | |
| Bull Point | At the southern end of East Falkland on North Arm Farm | Reached only by an off-road journey. Permission for a day excursion should be sought from the FLH Tourism Development Coordinator via e-mail, telephone, or Facebook page. | Self-catering accommodation at North Arm | Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, upland geese, kelp geese, Falkland steamer ducks, finches, tussac birds, long-tailed meadowlarks, ground tyrants, Falkland thrushes, striated caracara, variable hawks; southern sea lions, elephant seals. | Important Bird Area |
| Weddell Island (named after a British explorer) | In the southwest of the archipelago | Available | Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, southern and striated caracaras, variable hawks, and many shorebirds; southern sea lions, Patagonian Grey Fox. | The largest offshore island. Varying terrain with open plains, rocky hills, white sand beaches, and sheltered coves. The highest peak, Weddell Mountain, is 383 m (1,256 ft). Fantastic walking opportunities. |
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| Seal Bay | On the north coast of Port Louis, the original capital of Falkland Islands | Open from November 1 to March 31 | Rockhopper, macaroni, Gentoo, Magellanic, and king penguins, oystercatchers, grebes, logger ducks, kelp geese, upland geese, king cormorants; sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins and whales. | Rugged cliffs, white sand beaches. | |
| Lyn Blake Nature Reserve (established in 2013) | At Hawk’s Nest Pond on West Falkland | Self-catering accommodation at Fox Bay | Many wading birds | A beautiful wetland area offering a pleasant walk over easy ground. | |
| Whalebone Display | Dairy Paddock Road, Stanley | The display of whale skeletons created by anti-whaling campaigner Mike Butcher. | |||
| Jason Islands (named after a survey vessel HMS Jason) | In the extreme northwest of the Falklands peninsula | Reached only by boat. Permission is needed to land on any of the islands. | The world’s largest colony of black-browed albatross. Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins, striated caracaras, and southern giant petrels. |
Rocky-ridged chain with the highest peak, Steeple Jason, reaching 290 m (952 ft). | |
| Patricia Luxton Nature Reserve | Chartres, West Falkland | Can be reached by an off-road drive that can be inaccessible in the winter months. | Self-catering accommodation at Fox Bay. | Many endemic and rare plant species. | Millenium campsite, a picnic and camping area. Exploration and camping are free, but smoking is forbidden. |
| Gypsy Cove | 6.5 km (4 mi) from Stanley | Magellanic (Jackass) penguins, blac-crowned night-herons, oystercatchers, long-tailed meadowlark, two-banded plovers, Falkland flightless steamer duck, upland and kelp geese; sea lions. | Part of the Camp Pembroke peninsula, National Nature Reserve. The small bay with white sand beach is sheltered from prevailing winds. The remains of WWII guns on Ordnance Point. |
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| Cape Bougainville | Salvador Farm (Gibraltar Station), on the north coast of East Falkland | Tours are available with local tour guides. | Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins, southern giant petrel, species of gulls; sea lions. | Picturesque cliffs and white sand beaches. | |
| Paloma Beach | Smylie’s Farm, Port San Carlos, in the northeast of East Falkland | On foot or off-road vehicle journey. Permission must be obtained from Smylies’s Farm. |
Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, many sea, shore, and wading birds. | A beautiful stretch of white sand. Paloma pond. Small coves with rockpools. |
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| West Point Island (originally Albatross Island) | Off the northwest tip of West Falkland | Open from October 1 to March 31. Visiting is possible by taking a ferry trip from Carcass Island. Bookings can be made through Carcass Island House. |
Carcass Island House | Black-browed albatross, Rockhopper penguins, imperial cormorants; whales, fur seals, sea lions, and dolphins. | Dramatic sandstone cliffs, low lying emerald-green areas. The highest point, Cliff Mountain, 381 m (1,211 ft) — the highest cliff in the Falklands. |
| George and Barren Islands | At the southern entrance to Falkland Sound, dividing East and West Falkland. | Cruise ships may call, and military personnel can arrange helicopter trips. | No visitor accommodation. | George Island: a large colony of sea lions, Magellanic penguins, southern giant petrels, and sooty shearwaters. Barren Island: sea lions, elephant seals, Gentoo penguins, southern giant petrels, Cobb’s wren, and striated caracaras. |
Low-lying terrain with several ponds and many sheltered sandy coves. |
| New Haven | East Falkland | Ferries travel from New Haven to Port Howard on West Falkland. Travel time from Stanley is around two hours, and from Darwin and Goose Gren, it is half an hour. Bookings must be made in advance. | At Darwin and Goose Gren. | A colony of Gentoo penguins. | |
| Volunteer Point (named after the ship) | Johnson’s Harbour Farm, in the northeast of East Falkland | Accessible by road and then overland vehicle journey or by helicopter. Permission to visit must be obtained in agreement from the landowner. |
Available in the warden’s house at Volunteer Point (up to 4 guests) — non-smoking policy. | The largest breeding group of king penguins (3,000). Gentoo (7,000) and Magellanic colonies. |
A stunning long white sand beach. A privately owned Nature Reserve and an Important Bird Area. |
| Saunders Island (named after 18th century British Admiral) | Available in three locations. | Five breeding species of penguins, black-browed albatross, etc. | The vestiges of the site of the first British settlement in the Falklands, Port Egmont, which was built in 1765. The second largest offshore island has a varied terrain, from rocky hills to sweeping shorelines. |
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| Bertha’s Beach (named after the shipwrecked barque) | Fitzroy Farm, East Falkland | Permission should be sought from FLH Tourism Development Coordinator via e-mail, telephone, or Facebook page. | Gentoo, Magellanic penguins, South American terns, endemic Falkland flightless steamer duck, ruddy-headed geese. Over 80 plant species, including five endemic. |
The beautiful white sand beach. | |
| Port Stephens | In the southwest of West Falkland in a large open harbour. | Five species of penguins, including macaroni, gentoos, kings, rockhoppers, and Magellanic; marine mammals. | Fantastic wildlife and walking opportunities. «Indian village», a series of unusual rock formation. |
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| Port Edgar | In the southeast of West Falkland in a large sheltered harbour. | Self-catering at Moelwyn Cottage, accommodating up to 7 people (no pets). | Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, etc. Marine mammals (seals, whales). |
Great wildlife, walking and fishing opportunities. Farm life can be observed. |
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| Murrel Farm | Close to Stanley, East Falkland | Short journey by road. Visits should be arranged via landowners. | Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins, etc. | A farm with sheep and cattle. | |
| Cape Dolphin (named after HMS Dolphin, the ship of British explorer John Byron) | On the northern tip of East Falkland. | Reached by off-road track from Cape Dolphin Farm buildings. |
Available on nearby Elephant Beach Farm at James Cabin. | Gentoo and Magellanic penguins. In Swan Pond — Chiloe Widgeon, speckled and silvery teal, white-crested grebes, black-necked swans; southern sea lions (on the extreme tip). |
National Nature Reserve, amazing array of wildlife and lovely scenery. A farm with sheep. |
| Kidney Island | Next to Stanley | Only accessible by boat with an approved guide. Permission and booking are needed. They can be obtained via the website. | Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins, Cobb's wren, tussac birds, sooty shearwaters. | National Nature Reserve, an Important Bird Area. Almost all of the area is covered by tall tussac grass. |
Though seeming rather small, the Falkland Islands have an enormous amount of landmarks. Besides the sites for bird-watching and exploration of marine life, you can visit different 1982 battlefields and memorials, embark on various walking and hiking trails, go fishing in one of many fishing spots, or have an amazing outdoor adventure in one of the islands’ nature wonders. Despite the absence of cultural sights, lack of infrastructure, no hint of nightlife, and a limited selection of hotels and eateries, you will surely not have to experience a single moment of boredom!
How to Get to the Falklands
The first and the easiest option is, of course, by riding a cruise ship. Expedition vessels usually include the Falklands in their Antarctic routes and call into one or more outlying islands. Ship-to-shore transportation is usually performed in zodiac crafts, which are small inflatable boats. All vessels dock at the islands’ capital, Stanley, allowing you to explore the town and book a tour/excursion to remote locations.
Alternatively, you can travel to the Falkland Islands independently, but be sure to mind some points. The only international airline which services the islands is LATAM; the only airport in the Falklands is called Mount Pleasant (the code is MPN). The cities where you can take a flight are Santiago and Punta Arenas in Chile (every Saturday), Rio Gallegos, Argentina (the second Saturday of each month), and on the third Saturday of each month, you can take a back flight, so a week-visit is possible.
Another city providing flights to the islands is Sao Paulo (GPU), Brazil, which takes off every Wednesday and returns on the same day. Once a month, these flights stop in Cordoba (COR), Argentina. However, the latter flight was suspended during the pandemic and was propbably not yet reinstated. If you’d like to travel from Great Britain, there is a way to do that. The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) operated flight takes off in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire; contact the Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) in London to find out more information about the route and book seats.
Remember that to visit the Falklands, you have to book accommodation in advance. The high season from December to February can mean fewer options, so try to book in advance.
As for transportation on and between the islands, mind returning to West Falkland on the final day of your stay to be able to connect to Mount Pleasant Airport in time. The only settlement providing vehicles for hire is Stanley; bus services are available between Stanley and the airport and can provide drop-off and pick-up from your accommodation (book in advance). Hiring a guide will guarantee transportation between locations included in the tour/excursion. If you plan to hop between the islands of the archipelago, contact the Falkland Islands Government Air Service and inform them about the days of your stay and desired destinations.
Visitor Information
The only health institution in the Falkland Islands is the King Edward Vii Memorial Hospital in Stanley. It has medical staff, including a full surgical team, qualified to UK standards. All visitors, excluding UK residents, must pay for medical services. Other settlements don’t have hospitals but are equipped with medicine chests. Mind that in order to stay in the Falklands, you have to possess travel insurance that covers medical evacuation by plane.
The only bank in the Falklands, Standard Chartered Bank, is on Ross Road in Stanley. The local currency is the UK sterling, which has the same value as the UK currency. US dollars are widely accepted, and Euros are used in some places. The majority of shops and eateries accept credit and debit cards. Outside of Stanley, it’s better to have cash. The only ATM available is situated on Bypass Road at Stanley Services fuel station.
There are Wi-Fi hotspots at many locations across the Falklands, though you need a Wi-Fi card. In Stanley, there are a limited number of public phone boxes, which can be used with pre-paid cards purchased in shopping outlets.
Entry and exit requirements are:
- A passport which is valid for the length of the stay;
- Land-based travellers should have travel insurance, a return ticket, evidence of accommodation and sufficient personal funds for the whole stay;
- A departure tax must be paid on embarking from the international airport (can be paid both by cash or card, Visa or MasterCard)
Tha language spoken in the Falkland Islands is English.
As the Falklands are an overseas territory of UK, the driving side is left. The maximum speed on regulated roads is 64 km/h (40 mph).
The weather is highly changeable and demands specific preparation. Your clothes should be waterproof and warm all the time. Remember to always wear sunblock or a high factor sun cream. Ensure your vehicle is stocked with additional clothes, food, water, sleeping bags, and a first aid kit. If you go hiking, wear walking shoes/boots and be prepared for grassy and muddy conditions, with occasional roughness: there are no paths.
You are welcome to look at birds and animals in the Falklands as long as you avoid contacting them. The recommended distance is 6 m; however, if animals decide to walk up to you, stay calm and don’t make sudden movements. Don’t stand between an animal and the sea if it’s headed there. Mind that some animals may bite you, and some of them have fleas.
Biosecurity is strictly guarded to prevent new pests, diseases, or species from invading the archipelago. Therefore, visitors are asked not to bring so-called risk foods, such as meat and poultry products, unpasteurised dairy products, eggs, uncooked vegetables, and some fruits. Clothes should be checked to remove seeds, soil, insects, and dirt; boots should be disinfected or washed in seawater.
The Tourist Information Centre can be found at the Jetty Visitor Centre on the corner of Ross Road and Philomel Street in Stanley. No matter the length of your stay, heading there first is a good idea. In summer months, the centre is open from 10 AM to 12 and 1 PM to 4 PM on weekdays, 9 AM to 5 AM on Saturdays, and 10 AM to 4 PM on Sundays.
So, welcome to the Falklands, where you can get away from it all!
