Travel to the Falkland Islands
Five penguin species, albatross colonies, seals and wind-swept moorland: the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as Islas Malvinas, are one of the wildest places in the South Atlantic. Here is what to know before you go.
The Falkland Islands in numbers
Capital
Stanley
Population
3,662
Area
12,173 km²
Currency
Falkland Islands pound
Language
English
Status
British Overseas Territory
Continent
South America
Airports covered
1
Why visit the Falkland Islands
Wildlife that barely knows you are there
Five penguin species
Gentoo, rockhopper, Magellanic, king and macaroni penguins nest across the islands, often just metres from where visitors stand.
Seals, albatross and endemic birds
Southern elephant seals, South American fur seals, large albatross colonies, and two endemic birds: the Falkland steamer duck and Cobb's wren.
A cold, windy, humid maritime climate
Stanley averages about 610 mm of rain a year, with mean monthly temperatures of 9 degrees C in January and -1 degrees C in July. Mount Usborne, the highest point, reaches 705 m.
One name, three languages
Falkland in English, Malvinas in Spanish, Malouines in French. The UK administers the territory and Argentina claims sovereignty; the 1982 war lasted from 2 April to 14 June.
Highlights
Stanley, Volunteer Point and Sea Lion Island
Most visitors base themselves in Stanley and add wildlife trips by road or on a light aircraft.
Stanley, the capital
Christ Church Cathedral, the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, was consecrated in 1892, and the Falkland Islands Museum tells the islands' story. Gypsy Cove, close to town, is a good spot for Magellanic penguins.
Volunteer Point
A white-sand beach north of Stanley where over a thousand king penguins gather, with gentoo and Magellanic penguins and sea lions. It is private land: permission comes from the landowner and the track must be dry. The drive takes around two and a half hours from Stanley, so book with a local operator.
Sea Lion Island and the outer islands
Elephant seals, sea lions, king penguins and killer whales offshore: Sea Lion Island is reached by the internal FIGAS air service, which flies on request and has no online timetable.
Getting around
One main road and light aircraft
Outside Stanley, the only built road runs about 50 km from the capital to Mount Pleasant. Trips to colonies go by 4x4 or small plane, and a ferry has linked East and West Falkland since 2008.
To get there, LATAM Chile flies Punta Arenas to Mount Pleasant on Saturdays, while the RAF Airbridge from Brize Norton runs twice a week with restrictions on who can use it. The flight is not a transit flight, so Chilean entry rules apply if you route through Chile.
Before you go
Austral summer and penguin season
| Period | Climate | What you will see |
|---|---|---|
| October to March | Summer, up to about 15 degrees C, longest days in December and January | Penguins breeding (September to March), chicks in December and January |
| April to September | Colder and windy, frost often from May to September | King penguins and about half the gentoos stay all year |
| May to August | Winter, short days | Few visitors; best avoided without a specific reason |
Expect changeable weather: pack windproof and waterproof clothing whatever the month.
The UK government says visitors can enter without a visa and receive a visitor's permit of one month on arrival. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance including evacuation is required, with a passport valid for your stay. Some nationalities need a visa, so check the islands' government site.
Planning a wider trip? See neighbouring Chile, the gateway for scheduled flights, or the United Kingdom, whose overseas territory this is.
History and everyday life
Sheep, squid and a quiet capital
The islands have 3,662 residents (2021 census), about 30 % of them temporary. Fishing accounts for roughly 50 to 60 % of GDP, and sheep farming for wool is also important.
The 2013 referendum returned 99.8 % of votes for remaining a British overseas territory, while Argentina continues to claim the islands. After the 1982 war, about 117 minefields were left, and demining was completed in October 2020.
Flying to the Falkland Islands
The Falklands airport SniperAir covers
Mount Pleasant (Falkland Islands)
The islands' airport sits at RAF Mount Pleasant, about 50 km from Stanley. Buses and taxis run to the capital.
FAQ
Falkland Islands travel questions
Which airport do I fly into for the Falkland Islands?
Mount Pleasant (MPN), about 50 km from Stanley. LATAM flies there from Punta Arenas in Chile on Saturdays, and the RAF Airbridge runs from the UK.
When is the best time to visit the Falkland Islands?
October to March, the austral summer, with the longest days in December and January. Penguin chicks are best seen in December and January.
Can I see king penguins in the Falklands?
Yes, at Volunteer Point, north of Stanley, where over a thousand king penguins gather. Access depends on the landowner's permission and a dry track.
Is the Falkland Islands trip expensive?
The sources do not give a reliable budget. The weekly flight and wildlife excursions are the main costs, and a price alert helps you book at the right moment.
Do I need a visa for the Falkland Islands?
Many nationalities do not, and receive a visitor's permit for one month on arrival. Medical insurance with evacuation, an onward ticket and funds are required; check the government's site for your nationality.
How long should I stay in the Falkland Islands?
Eight to ten days, partly because of the weekly flight from Chile, to cover Stanley, Volunteer Point and one outer island.
How do I get alerted when a flight to the Falklands drops under my budget?
Create a SniperAir alert profile with your departure airport and Mount Pleasant as destination. We watch prices for you and notify you as soon as an opportunity matching your criteria is detected.
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