Visiting Falkland Islands – Things to Do!

If you get the chance to visit Falkland Islands I highly recommend it. These charming islands are at the bottom of South America, a British Territory, and a delightful way to see hundreds of playful penguins on the sandy shores. Whether you visit Stanley as a stop on your Antarctica cruise, or you spend a week vacationing here, your family will love watching the elephant seals, gentoo penguins, magellenic penguins, king penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, birds, and more! Let me share tips for your travel and things to do Falkland Islands.

Visiting Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are a remote group of islands located in the South Atlantic Ocean. Despite their small size, these islands have a rich history and incredible natural beauty to offer visitors.The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, meaning that they are under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom. This means that UK citizens can visit the islands without the need for a visa, while citizens of other countries may need to apply for a visa in advance. It’s always best to check the specific entry requirements before planning your trip. While the British are the current owners, Argentina claims rights to the Faulkland Islands as well.

The currency used in the Falkland Islands is the Falkland Islands pound, which is pegged to the British pound sterling. US dollars are widely accepted, but it’s a good idea to have some local currency on hand for smaller purchases. We found things to be very expensive, probably because they have to import them. A penguin stuffed animal on the ship was $12, but was more than double on the island.

For those looking to visit the Falkland Islands, there are a few important things to keep in mind. The islands are known for their stunning wildlife, including penguins and seals, so be sure to pack a camera and binoculars. The weather can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to bring layers and a waterproof jacket. And don’t forget to check out some of the island’s historic sites, such as the capital of Stanley and the battlefields from the Falklands War.

travel to falkland islands

The primary way to reach the Falkland Islands is by air. The main airport for international flights is located in Mount Pleasant, which serves as the gateway for travelers coming from locations such as Chile and the UK. Flights to the Falklands are limited and can be a bit pricey, so be sure to plan ahead and book in advance to secure the best deals.

If you decide to stay here for a week you will have time to see both East and West Falkland Islands and visit all the different types of animals that call these islands home! The East Falklands is home to 2000 people, hundreds of penguins (including Gentoo, Magellinic, King), elephant seals, birds, seals, and the capital city of Stanley. West Falklands is home to only 200 people, but a great place to visit Rockhopper penguins!

Another option for reaching the Falkland Islands is by sea. Various cruises offer stops at the islands, allowing you to enjoy the stunning scenery and wildlife along the way. The Falkland Islands are a tender port, which means the boat doesn’t dock. Instead, your cruise ship will put you on smaller boats, typically hard shelled life boats, and take you to the port in small batches. This does mean that if the seas are particularly rough or there are high winds you might not be able to tender and the port will be skipped. It seems this port is missed about 1/3 times for this reason. Make sure to get a tender ticket as quickly as you can or you could be delayed by up to 2 hours getting off the ship; tendering is a slow process.

things to do falkland islands

Now that you know how to get to the Falkland Islands you are probabaly wondering why you should visit. This was our favorite port on our most recent Antarctica and South America cruise.  Besides that the port is well maintained and easy to navigate since English is the primary language, there are lots of unforgettable and unique things to do on the falkland islands, especially regarding wild life!

Here are a few highlights including Top 10 things to do in the Falkland Islands

1. Explore Stanley, the charming capital city with its colorful houses and British charm.
2. Visit Gypsy Cove to see penguins in their natural habitat.
3. Take a boat tour to see the diverse marine life around the islands.
4. Hike or bike through the stunning landscapes and enjoy the fresh air.
5. Learn about the history of the islands at the Falkland Islands Museum.
6. Go birdwatching and spot unique species like the Striated Caracara.
7. Relax on the beautiful white sand beaches and admire the crystal-clear waters.
8. Take a guided tour to see the WWII historical sites scattered across the islands.
9. Sample the local cuisine, including fresh seafood and traditional British dishes.
10. Visit Volunteer Point to see a large colony of king penguins up close.

visit the falklands

With so much to see and so little time you will need to prioritize what you want to see. We had originally booked an excursion through the cruise ship, but it was cancelled when they tweaked our itinerary. I quickly started looking for other options and ended up booking this Private Penguins, Scenery + Stanley. Booking a small, private tour allows you to get by the crowds in large bus tours better, but it is more expensive. Apparently when cruise ships come into port, many locals take off from their regular jobs to act as tour guides because there are more passengers than there are seats on vehicles in Stanley!

We loved seeing the playful gentoo penguins that were in masses at the beach, but I do regret not seeing some of the other wildlife. Our description said we’d see at least 3 out of 5 penguins on the Falklands, which we did. BUT it isn’t a colony of King penguins, just a couple random king with a lot of Magellenic. I kow you can’t see it all, but if we were doing it again I think these other excursions would have been better. Consider this visiting the unique elephant seals tour (that also includes gentoo penguins) or this king penguin tour (also includes gentoo penguins).

falkland islands vacation

As soon as we got off the tender we made our way through the small port and found a sign with our name on it. We were then loaded in all terrain vechicles to start our excursion. Our excursion was private, utilizing locals who drove us in their own car. They knew a lot about the island and we were able to move quicker without a huge group.

We took 1 hour drive to Bertha’s Beach. This was a great stop because it is not as touristy.  You will see why they need an all-terrain vehicle, they will drive through the sand dunes and onto the beach!

There are no ropes on the beach; we got to just wander among the colony of hundreds of gentoo penguins.

penguins in the falkland islands

The guides make sure that their visitors keep a respectful distance. This is why you need a good zoom lense!

The penguins are so cute and it was amazing to see them in their natural habitat, playing on the beach, sleeping, swimming, and exploring their surroundings.

Even in early March when we visited the Falkland Islands, there were still some penguins molting. Apparently at this stage the penguins cannot go in the water or they would drown.

I think I could have watched the gentoo penguins all day. They were so fun and active. The guides told us in off season the locals will bring a picnic to the beach and enjoy a leisurely day while watching the penguins.

We even got to see a pod of 3 dolphins swimming quickly through the ocean behind the penguins! It truly was an amazing experience I highly recommend!

It isn’t the greatest of quality because I had to zoom and take a quick moving picture, but I love this image too much not to share! We were watching the penguins when we got to see these dolphins swimming and jumping as they boled across the horizon. It was picture perfect!

Okay, that is probably enough penguin pictures, although I probably took a thousand of them. How could I not, they are so CUTE!

We were suppose to visit Gypsy Cove, but we opted to spend more time at the other two beaches since Gypsey Cove beach is close to the port so much more touristy! It is so fun seeing different types of penguins. Before this vacation I had no idea there were 18 different types of penguins worldwide!

Seeing Penguins in Falkland Islands

Then we went to Yorke Bay to watch gentoo, Magellanic and, a couple stray king penguins on the beautiful white sand beach.

The beach is roped off so the masses of tourists can’t get too close to the penguins.  There are tons of cute, cuddly penguins to watch, but you wont have the personal, close-up experience you did on Gypsy Cove. Plus this beach is heavily touristed and you will be visiting with many others.  This beach is a little walk through sand dunes to get to. You must be physically fit and able to walk on the sand and through the dunes.

Interestingly Gypsy Cove beach had been blocked off for 38 years due to landmines laid by the Argentine forces in the 1982 conflict Thanksfully the area has been professionally cleared and is safe once again to visit and watch the adorable penguins.

Visiting Stanley, Falkland Islands

As you are driven back to the port you will be given a quick overview of the capital city Stanley. The guide will point out the main landmarks including the memorable Whalebone Arch adjacent to the Christ Church Cathedral, Lady Elizabeth shipwreck, Liberation Monument, historic Battle of the Falklands Monument, and the official home of the King’s representative – the Government House..