My first “sighting” of The Falkland Islands, the remote archipelago of Islands in the South Atlantic governed by the British, was in the film “Resurrected.”
Initially I was intrigued by the history of the entire Falkland Islands as it unfolded through one dramatic movie scene after another—until I saw wildlife and landscape images dancing across the screen and I was smitten. The wildlife shots alone (imagine thousands of albatrosses in one spot) sent me running to Instagram to see more photographs.
For the uninitiated, the Falkland Islands archipelago is also known by its Spanish name as Islas Malvinas. Located about 400 km northeast of Tierra del Fuego, the south Atlantic archipelago is the southern-most point of South America.
The Falklands are known for wildlife (an abundance of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, Rockhopper penguins, King penguins, and bird species, as mentioned above as well as sea lions, elephant seals, and other bird and marine species) as well as its periodically turbulent history.
Hundreds-years-long sovereignty disputes between the United Kingdom and Argentina (hence the English and Spanish names) resulted in the 1982 Falklands War. (If you happen to be a fan of that BAFTA-winning series, “The Crown,” fast-forward to season four for episodes dealing with the Falklands War.)
Many travelers include Falkland Islands on their itinerary when they’re on their way to Antarctica as The Falklands, as with South Georgia, are sub-Antarctic regions.
Quark Expeditions features the Falklands in numerous polar voyages.
How to Visit the Falkland Islands
Ice-strengthened polar ships. That’s the short and pithy response to wanderlusters asking how to visit the Falkland Islands. Many (certainly most of the people I know who’ve travelled there) do so while on expedition ships en route to the Antarctic peninsula led by seasoned polar expedition guides.
Quark Expeditions is one such operator. In fact, Quark Expeditions has been taking travelers to the Polar Regions exclusively since 1991 and offers many Falkland Island tours including the 20-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings expedition.
So, an ice-worthy ship, an experienced team—plus onboard staff that includes polar experts to amplify the experience are crucial if you’re figuring out how to visit the Falkland Islands.
Quark Expeditions is known for the calibre of polar historians, biologists, glaciologists, ornithologists, penguinologists and other polar experts they invite onboard to enrich the expedition experience and wildlife and adventure tourism their guests.
Best Time to Visit the Falkland Islands
The best time to visit the Falkland Islands—when it's optimal in terms of weather and wildlife-viewing opportunities—is the November-to-February period.
Not only will visitors encounter warmer weather, but many penguins lay their eggs during this period, and witnessing the hatching of these eggs—and the eventual appearance of baby penguins—is an experience not to be missed.
In addition to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings expedition (November/December) mentioned above, the Epic Antarctica: Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgia (December/January) also visits the Falkland Islands during this time of year.
Falkland Islands Sightseeing
First, you’ll want to choose which expedition delivers a Falkland Island experience that fulfills your travel goals.
You can start by checking out the list of Quark Expeditions voyages that feature the Falkland Islands in the itinerary, and identify for yourself some excellent Falkland Islands sightseeing opportunities.
For instance, days 4 and 5 of the Epic Antarctica itinerary present plenty of opportunities for Falklands Islands sightseeing. Upon your arrival in the Falklands (Malvinas), your camera will get its first real workout capturing the abundant wildlife and rugged feel of this sub-Antarctic region. The archipelago contains two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, which you will explore during daily Zodiac excursions and landings.
Visit Stanley
Start your Falkland Islands sightseeing in Stanley, also known as Port Stanley, which has been described as more British than a British village back in the UK.
You’ll have time to visit this unique (and remote) British overseas territory that is home to 2,100 Falkland Islanders to explore, find a few good restaurants, grab a pint at the local pub or visit the cathedral and museum - you won't want to miss the Historic Dockyard Museum.
Your onboard team of lecturers and specialists will educate you on the local flora and most prevalent fauna, enabling you to make the most out of your time in the Falklands.
For more suggestions of Falkland islands sightseeing, see our “The Top Landing Sites in the Falkland Islands” blog.
Places to Visit in Falkland Islands
Wildlife. Culture. History. Birdlife. Rare flora. Rugged landscapes. The Falkland Islands offers diverse traveler experiences on East Falkland, West Falkland and on numerous smaller islands in the archipelago.
For instance, did you know that the Falkland Islands is home to staggering numbers of albatrosses, dolphins and at least five species of penguins? Expedition guide and award-winning photographer Acacia Johnson describes the destination as a photographer’s dream location in her blog, “Why I Love Traveling to the Falkland Islands as a Landscape and Wildlife Photographer.”
So, what are the places to visit in Falkland Islands with offerings that match up with what you want to see?
Mount Tumbledown
We’ve already talked about the archipelago’s capital of Port Stanley. Nearby is Mount Tumbledown, the site of a major battle that took place during the 1982 war between Argentina and Britain.
Steeple Jason Island
Steeple Jason Island is a must-visit if you’re keen to observe albatrosses.
Did you know that about 70 percent of the world’s population of black-browed albatross are found at Steeple Jason Island, northwest of West Falkland, making it the largest colony of this species on the planet?
It’s one of the numerous places to visit in the Falkland Islands if you’re a budding ornithologist. Experts estimate there are 63 species of breeding birds and 23 migrant species in the Falklands including the Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck.
One of the most sought-after species on the islands is the Inquisitive Striated Caracara.
Stunning White Sand Beaches
Travelers don’t always expect white sandy beaches in the sub-Antarctic but you’ve got lots of options in the Falkland Islands.
For instance, there’s Elephant Beach (popular with dolphins) that stretches 4 miles (6.4 kilometres), and off the northwest corner of the archipelago are the white sandy shorelines of Carcass Island.
Bleaker Island
Bleaker Island (don’t be dissuaded by the name), originally known as Breaker Island because of the huge waves, is worth a visit if time allows.
The long sandy beach known as Sandy Bay is home to diverse birdlife, including Gentoo penguins and a large colony of Imperial cormorants.
Volunteer Beach and Gypsy Cove
Volunteer Beach, on East Falkland, is a 2-mile (3.3-kilometre) stretch of sand where you’ll find the largest colony of King penguins in the Falkland Islands. A jaunt to Gypsy Cove will reward you with views of large rookeries of Magellanic penguins.
Sea Lion Island
Sea Lion Island is the most southern inhabited island, home to only ten Falkland Islanders. But what the island lacks in human inhabitants, visitors come to see in the Elephant seals, sea lions, shore and sea birds, and penguins that call the Island home.
Pebble Island
While the name might suggest that this is the island in the Falklands to visit if you're looking for small rocks, Pebble Island is actually a sheep farming island.
Cost of Visiting the Falkland Islands
Quark Expeditions offers various special offers on trips to Antarctica, which can be very helpful to anyone who’s researching the cost of visiting the Falkland Islands.
Quark Expeditions offers 40 voyages to Antarctica, three of which include the Falkland Islands.
Lastly, if you’re an eclipse-watcher, consider Quark Expeditions’ upcoming trip Solar Eclipse 2021: Totality in Antarctica, with South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. That’s how to visit the Falkland Islands—and experience Totality in the Southern Hemisphere!
Can travelling get any better than that?!
