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📍 Stanley Small capital with colourful houses, museum and harbour📍 Volunteer Point Large king penguin colony on a long white beach📍 Sea Lion Island Wildlife haven with elephant seals, penguins and orcas📍 Carcass Island Rat-free island full of birdlife and friendly hosts📍 Saunders Island Four penguin species and black-browed albatross colonies📍 Stanley Small capital with colourful houses, museum and harbour📍 Volunteer Point Large king penguin colony on a long white beach📍 Sea Lion Island Wildlife haven with elephant seals, penguins and orcas📍 Carcass Island Rat-free island full of birdlife and friendly hosts📍 Saunders Island Four penguin species and black-browed albatross colonies
Volunteer Point – Falkland IslandsStanley – Falkland IslandsCarcass Island – Falkland IslandsSaunders Island – Falkland IslandsChrist Church Cathedral, Stanley – Falkland Islands
📍 Volunteer Point📷 Ben Tubby · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 South America🗓️ Best: Oct–Mar

Falkland Islands ✓

Penguin colonies, wild coasts and remote island farms

🕒 –:– local time0 stories this week0 sources 5 top placesCapital Stanley

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Falkland Islands📸 Photo album · 6 photos · Ultra-HD
Falkland Islands📜 History of Falkland Islands

The story of Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands lie in the South Atlantic about 500 kilometres east of the South American mainland, a windswept archipelago of two main islands and hundreds of smaller ones. There is no firm evidence of permanent Indigenous settlement, though some researchers believe Fuegian peoples may have visited by canoe. European sailors began reporting sightings in the sixteenth century, and the English captain John Strong made the first recorded landing in 1690, naming the sound between the islands after Viscount Falkland.

In the 1760s France founded Port Louis on East Falkland and Britain established Port Egmont on Saunders Island, while Spain later took over the French settlement. Over the following decades sovereignty was contested, and after Spain withdrew, the newly independent United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, today's Argentina, claimed the islands. Britain reasserted control in 1833, and Stanley became the capital in the 1840s.

Read the full history

Through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the islands developed a pastoral economy based on sheep farming, with remote 'camp' settlements linked by boats and later small aircraft. Stanley also served passing ships rounding Cape Horn, and some old hulks from that era still lie in its harbour. Argentina continued to claim the islands, which it calls the Malvinas, and in 1982 a brief war was fought after Argentine forces landed; British administration was restored that June.

Since then fishing licences, tourism and more recently interest in offshore resources have transformed the islands' economy, while the sovereignty question remains a matter of diplomatic dispute. For visitors, the Falklands offer an unusual mix: a small, tidy capital with a British feel, battlefield memorials and museums, and outstanding wildlife, from penguin colonies and albatrosses to sea lions and dolphins, in some of the most untouched landscapes in the southern hemisphere.

Timeline

  1. 1690John Strong makes the first recorded landing
  2. 1764French settlement founded at Port Louis
  3. 1765British outpost established at Port Egmont
  4. 1833Britain reasserts control of the islands
  5. 1845Stanley becomes the capital
  6. 1982Brief war between Argentina and Britain
  7. 1987Fishing licence zone transforms the economy
Falkland Islands✨ 8 best things to do in Falkland Islands

Things to do in Falkland Islands

  1. Visit Volunteer PointWalk among a large king penguin colony on a white-sand beach on East Falkland.
  2. Explore StanleyStroll past colourful tin-roofed houses, the whalebone arch and Christ Church Cathedral.
  3. See black-browed albatrossesWatch thousands of albatrosses nesting beside rockhopper penguins on the cliffs of Saunders or West Point Island.
  4. Tour the Historic Dockyard MuseumLearn about island life, shipwrecks, natural history and the 1982 conflict.
  5. Stay on a remote farmExperience 'camp' life with a stay at a sheep farm settlement on an outer island.
  6. Watch elephant seals on Sea Lion IslandSpot elephant seals, sea lions and gentoo penguins on this small wildlife-rich island.
  7. Join a battlefield tourVisit the hills around Stanley with a local guide who explains the history of 1982.
  8. Go dolphin spottingLook out for Commerson's and Peale's dolphins playing in the waves near the coast.
Falkland Islands🗺️ Where to visit in Falkland Islands

Where to go in Falkland Islands

  • StanleyEast Falkland · capitalThe small, friendly capital with museums, shipwrecks and harbour views.
  • Volunteer PointEast Falkland · wildlifeHome to the islands' biggest king penguin colony, reached by 4x4 across open country.
  • Sea Lion IslandOuter island · wildlifeA compact island packed with elephant seals, penguins and birds of prey.
  • Saunders IslandWest · wildlife & historyAlbatross and rockhopper colonies plus the site of the early British settlement of Port Egmont.
  • Carcass IslandWest · island farmA rat-free island with rich birdlife, beaches and a welcoming farm settlement.
  • 📍
    Gypsy CoveNear Stanley · coastal walkA short drive from town to see Magellanic penguins and a sheltered sandy cove.
Falkland Islands✨ Must-do experiences
  • Watch king penguins at Volunteer Point
  • Spot elephant seals on Sea Lion Island
  • Fly between islands on small island planes
  • Visit the Historic Dockyard Museum in Stanley
Falkland Islands🍽️ Taste of Falkland Islands
  • Falklands lamb – local farm-raised meat
  • Patagonian toothfish – rich, white local fish
  • Smoko – tea break with homemade cakes
  • Diddle-dee jam – jam made from local wild berries
Falkland Islands🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Falkland Islands

Best time to visit Falkland Islands

The Falklands have a cool, windy oceanic climate with modest rainfall spread across the year. Summers are mild rather than warm, and weather can change quickly, sometimes bringing four seasons in a day.

BestNovember to February – the austral summer, with the longest days, the mildest weather and penguin chicks in the colonies.
ShoulderOctober and March – wildlife is still present and there are fewer visitors, though weather is cooler.
AvoidMay to August – winter is cold, dark and windy, many penguins leave and tourist services are limited.
14°💧Jan
14°💧Feb
12°💧Mar
9°💧Apr
7°💧May
5°💧Jun
4°💧Jul
5°💧Aug
7°💧Sep
9°💧Oct
11°💧Nov
13°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Stanley (approximate averages).

Falkland Islands🎉 Festivals & events in Falkland Islands
  • 14 June
    Liberation DayA public holiday with ceremonies at Stanley's memorials marking the end of the 1982 conflict.
  • Late December
    Stanley SportsHorse racing, gymkhana events and a festive atmosphere at the racecourse just after Christmas.
  • 8 December
    Battle DayCommemorates the 1914 naval Battle of the Falklands with a ceremony in Stanley.
  • February or March
    Camp SportsRural settlements host horse racing, sheepdog trials and social gatherings.
Falkland Islands🧭 Falkland Islands itinerary ideas

How many days in Falkland Islands?

4 daysStanley and penguins

Day 1 explore Stanley's waterfront and museum. Day 2 take a 4x4 trip to Volunteer Point for king penguins. Day 3 walk to Gypsy Cove and join a battlefield tour. Day 4 visit nearby beaches and wildlife sites.

10 daysIsland hopping

Day 1-2 Stanley and Volunteer Point. Day 3-5 fly to Sea Lion Island for elephant seals and penguins. Day 6-8 continue to Saunders or Carcass Island for albatrosses and rockhoppers. Day 9-10 return to Stanley for final walks.

Falkland Islands🎒 Backpacking Falkland Islands – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $120–180 a day

  • The Falklands are expensive and have no hostels, so look for guesthouses or self-catering cottages in Stanley.
  • Camping is sometimes possible with landowner permission, so ask locally.
  • Share 4x4 tours and inter-island flights with other travellers to cut costs.
  • Self-cater with supplies from Stanley's supermarkets, as food in camp settlements is limited.
  • Many wildlife sites near Stanley, such as Gypsy Cove, can be reached on foot or by short taxi ride.
Falkland Islands🛡️ Safety & money in Falkland Islands

Stay safe

  • The islands are very safe, with extremely low crime.
  • Driving off-road across camp is common but tricky – travel with experienced local drivers and leave gates as you find them.
  • Weather changes fast, so carry windproof and waterproof layers and sun protection, as UV can be strong.
  • Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and follow the countryside code.

Money

  • The currency is the Falkland Islands pound, at par with the British pound; sterling is also accepted.
  • Cards are accepted in many Stanley businesses, but there are few ATMs, so bring enough cash.
  • Tipping is not expected but appreciated for guides and good service.

Emergency: 999

Falkland Islands🛬 Getting to Falkland Islands

Flights arrive at Mount Pleasant airport near Stanley, mainly via a weekly service from Chile (Punta Arenas) and an air link from the UK. Many visitors also arrive on expedition cruise ships heading to South Georgia and Antarctica.

✈️ Cheap flights to Falkland Islands: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Falkland Islands💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Falkland Islands
  • Five species of penguin breed in the Falklands: king, gentoo, rockhopper, Magellanic and macaroni.
  • Sheep greatly outnumber people on the islands.
  • Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley is said to be the world's southernmost Anglican cathedral.
  • The islands were declared free of landmines in 2020, after decades of clearance work following the 1982 conflict.
  • The islands are home to a large share of the world's black-browed albatrosses.
Falkland Islands❓ Falkland Islands travel FAQ

Falkland Islands travel questions

Is the Falkland Islands safe for tourists?

Yes, the Falklands are extremely safe with very little crime. The main thing to prepare for is fast-changing, windy weather when exploring the outdoors.

What is the best time to visit the Falkland Islands?

November to February is best for wildlife and mild weather. Penguins are mostly away in winter.

How many days do you need in the Falklands?

Four days is enough for Stanley and Volunteer Point. A week or more lets you visit outer islands for the best wildlife.

Do I need a visa for the Falkland Islands?

It depends on your passport – check the official Falkland Islands government site or your nearest British embassy before you travel.

How do you get around the Falkland Islands?

There are no public buses, so travel is by 4x4 tours, rental vehicle or small inter-island planes. Plan and book inter-island flights well ahead.

Falkland Islands💰 What a trip costs
$$$$price level
$120–180backpacker / day
$250–400mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Falkland Islands🚌 Getting around

Rent a 4x4 on East Falkland or join tours. Small FIGAS planes fly between the islands.

Falkland Islands🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley – Southernmost Anglican cathedral, with a whalebone arch
Falkland Islands🤝 Local etiquette
  • Keep a safe distance from wildlife and never block penguin paths
  • Ask before crossing farmland and close gates behind you
  • Do not walk in fenced minefield areas – follow signs

📰 Older Falkland Islands stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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