Falkland Islands

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The Falklands comprise two main islands, East and West Falkland, as well as an additional 748 smaller, mostly unpopulated islands covering an area slightly less than Northern Ireland. The abundance of incredible wildlife is the biggest draw to this captivating archipelago - experience this spectacular region on one of unforgettable voyages or wildlife holidays.

About The Falklands

The majority of the 2,500 population live in the capital Stanley on East Falkland, while a small but determined populace live on isolated sheep farms in ‘camp’ – the name given to the countryside and derived from the Spanish word campo. Stanley is the only real town in the archipelago and offers modern amenities amidst signs of a lively past. Backed by hills, the waterfront is littered with photogenic shipwrecks and distinctive, colourful buildings give the town character.

Spectacular wildlife
The foremost appeal to visitors of the Falkland Islands is the abundant wildlife, where the sheer numbers of penguins, seals and pelagic birds is quite staggering. Colonies of rock hopper, macaroni, magellanic and gentoo penguins can all be encountered along with impressive king penguins, elephant seals, sea lions and around 10,000 breeding pairs of black-browed albatross.

West Falkland and the islands have great numbers of breeding black browed albatross, significant colonies of gentoo, magellanic and rockhopper penguins, elephant seals, cormorants, petrels and the striated caracara, one of the world's rarest birds of prey. Plus a substantial sheep population!

The highlight of East Falkland and the islands are the penquins - rockhooper, gentoo, magellanic and king penquins - notably the largest colony of king penquins outside of South Georgia. And no visit would be complete without seeing the huge colony of elephant seals that inhabit Sea Lion Island, up to 2,000 at the height of the breeding season.

Getting there
Flights to Mt Pleasant Airport on East Falkland operate from Punta Arenas in Chile, (flights from the UK arrive into Santiago). Internal flights by twin engine Islander aircraft are operated by FIGAS. You may like to consider flying direct to the Falklands from the UK, aboard an RAF aircraft. Find out more »