Falkland Islands Tourist Attractions

The Falkland Islands are a unique and different destination of appeal to serious globetrotters. If you are a birder or photographer you will find paradise. If you like history and politics you will love the story of the Falklands. You will also enjoy meeting the friendly people that run what is probably the most remote small country in the world.

Below are some of the places you will find of interest. Many places even near Stanley are only accessible by 4WD vehicles. Outside Stanley, which the locals call "camp", you will most likely have to fly by small aircraft.

When planning a visit to the Falklands make sure you advise us if you are looking for a wildlife experience (and what animals), a battlefield experience or a combination of both. Please also advise if you have any other special interests so that we can plan an enjoyable and unforgettable visit.

STANLEY

Capital of the Falkland Islands, and with a population of around 2,000 it is one of the smallest and most remote capital cities in the world. Set on a natural harbour, the colourful seaside town has a rich maritime history from the days when great sailing ships and early steam vessels called in on their journeys around Cape Horn. Some of those ships still lie in the harbour, abandoned after a Cape Horn battering.

Some of the places you are likely to see are:

• The Lady Elizabeth shipwreck
• The Totem Pole
• Memorial Wood (Note, there are not many trees in the Falklands. Fuel in the early days came from peat which was very plentiful)
• Stanley Cemetery
• Jubilee Villas (British terraced townhouses - built in 1887)
• Christ Church Cathedral (Southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, visitors are welcomed)
• Whalebone arch (jawbones from two blue whales)
• Cartmell Cottage (brought in a kit from Britain in 1849)
• Colonists Cottage
• 1982 Liberation Monument
• Government House (home and office of the Governor)
• Battle Memorial (commemorating the battle between British and German fleets in 1941)
• Falkland Islands museum

There are also a couple of interesting local pubs that are worth a visit. Please note they close early.

BERTHA'S BEACH (EAST FALKLANDS)

Located close to the Mount Pleasant Complex, this beautiful white sand beach is a popular destination for a day trip. Gentoo penguins and a variety of other flora and fauna provide perfect photography opportunities.

DARWIN (EAST FALKLANDS)

A small settlement with great historical value, Darwin has a magnificent stone corral and many points of interest associated with the 1982 Conflict. The Argentine cemetery is situated 10 minutes' drive away.

FITZROY (EAST FALKLANDS)

Memorials to the Welsh Guard and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary who served on board the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram bombed off the coast of Fitzroy in 1982.

GOOSE GREEN (EAST FALKLANDS)

Situated close to Darwin, Goose Green is long established as a sheep farm with the largest shearing shed on the Islands. Made famous in the 1982 Conflict, 114 Falkland Islanders were held captive in the Community Hall. Bodie Creek Bridge, the World's most southerly suspension bridge, is a short drive away.

SAN CARLOS (EAST FALKLANDS)

San Carlos was the site of the British landing in 1982. Today the British cemetery overlooks Bomb Alley, the area in which a number of British ships were bombarded. A small museum houses relics from the conflict and other items of historical interest. Ajax Bay, the area used as a field hospital in 1982 is situated nearby.

VOLUNTEER POINT (EAST FALKLANDS)

One of the most popular destinations for day trippers, Volunteer Point is home to the largest king penguin colony in the Falkland Islands and the most accessible in the World. Magellanic and gentoo penguins nest in large numbers nearby along with numerous smaller birds.

PORT HOWARD (WEST FALKLANDS)

Port Howard is an attractive sheep farming settlement situated on the east coast and is easy to explore on foot. A nine-hole, par three golf course overlooking the settlement and harbour, is owned and occasionally maintained by a local landowner and may be played by visitors on request. Fishing enthusiasts will find Port Howard an excellent destination to use as a base for sea trout fishing on the Warrah and Chartres rivers.

BLEAKER ISLAND

Bleaker Island is home to three species of penguin, a large imperial cormorant colony, southern giant petrels, many smaller birds and a variety of waterfowl on the ponds. The rare flying steamer duck can sometimes be spotted and marine mammals are often observed offshore.

The settlement is situated in the middle of the island and still operates a sheep farm. Plenty of walking opportunities are available around the island including long sandy beaches with beautiful views.

CARCASS ISLAND

Cat and rat free it is a haven for small bird species including the endemic Cobb's wren, dark-faced ground tyrants and tussac birds. Striated caracaras are prevalent and short-eared owls breed in the island's forest. Marine mammals and penguins also inhabit the island.

The scenery is varied with beautiful white sandy beaches, tussac paddocks, rock hills and clifftops; this is a fantastic destination for both walking enthusiasts and those who prefer just a short stroll or drive to a scenic post. West Point Island can also be reached from Carcass Island by boat.

PEBBLE ISLAND

Pebble Island is named after the unusual, translucent semi-precious stones found on its beaches. It has a distinctive mountain range and is home to more than 40 wildlife species including gentaoo, rockhopper, macaroni and magellanic penguins, imperial cormorant, waterfowl and black-necked swans. The eastern end of the island has wetlands and large ponds with many waterfowl and wading birds. This island is also noted for the events of the 1982 conflict.

SEA LION ISLAND

Five miles long and just over a mile wide at its widest point, it is just the right size to spend a day, or more, exploring. Beautiful tussac plantations cover one-fifth of the island and provide a perfect habitat and protection for much of the island's varied fauna, including elephant seals and sea lions. Sand beaches, cliffs, freshwater ponds and heathland provide a diversity of habitats, all with their own wildlife. The 47 different species of breeding birds to be viewed on the island include three species of breeding penguins and five different birds of prey. Every year brings exciting sightings of vagrants. Pods of killer whales circle the island in pursuit of the elephant seals and sea lions that breed there. Leopard seals and larger whales are also seen from time to time. A memorial to the HMS Sheffield, sunk in nearby waters, is situated on the island.

Please note that accommodation at most locations is very limited and early booking is required. We also have to co-ordinate transport between locations.

Falkland Islands Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to the Falkland Islands.

Learn about the history and culture of the Falkland Islands, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Falkland Island's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering the Falkland Islands for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Falkland Islands tours today!

Extend Your Trip

After your Falkland Islands tours, why not consider another of Goway's Latin America tours. These include a large selection of other exciting countries in Central and South America. We offer Chile vacation packages and Easter Island tours, Ecuador vacation packages which include Galapagos cruises, Peru vacation packages which include Machu Picchu tours and Brazil tours including Iguassu Falls tours among many others.

Latin America by Goway is an exclusive division that specializes in planning and organizing Falkland Islands tours, vacations and experiences. To design the best itinerary for you, we at Goway would like to know how specific your interests are;

• Meeting the people
• Hearing about the 1982 Conflict
• Encountering specific wildlife

We also offer Antarctica cruises that stopover in the Falklands.