The Falkland Islands are located
between latitude 51° and 53° S and
longitude 57° and 62°W in the South
Atlantic Ocean, approximately 650
kilometers
(400
miles)
off
the
south-eastern tip of South America.
The Falklands Archipelago consists of
778 islands, with a total land area of
approximately 12,000 square km (4,700
square miles). The two main Islands are
East Falkland and West Falkland. East
Falkland is home to the capital,
Stanley, and more than 85% of the
Island's approximately 2500 people.
Mount Usborne on East Falkland is the
highest peak at 705m (2,312 ft).
The coastline varies from rugged
coastal cliffs to long miles of
undisturbed white sand beaches
interspersed with rocky headlands and
large kelp forests. Many sheltered
harbours are found along the length of
the coast, providing refuge to wildlife
and yachtsman alike.
Front Cover - Gentoo penguin with chick (Ady Lowe)
Top – Outline of the Falkland Islands
Centre left – Stone runs (Connie Stevens)
Bottom left – Falkland’s River (Stephen Luxton)
Bottom right – Pebble Settlement from the air (Russell Evans)
Rear Cover - Cape Pembroke Lighthouse (Louise Taylor)
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean,
pounding waves and billowing spray
sculpt the shores of the Falkland Islands
with an artistic flourish. The Falklands
archipelago is teeming with wonders
of nature and wildlife; an unpolluted
environment with fantastically clear
blue skies, seamless horizons, vast open
spaces and stunning white sand
beaches.
It truly offers an unspoiled environment
in the South Atlantic, and is a must visit
site for any outdoor enthusiasts, as well
as anyone yearning to “discover” a
pristine,off-the-beaten-track
destination.
Needless to say, the outdoor activities
here are boundless — breathtaking
opportunities for photography, wildlife
viewing,
bird-watching,
fishing,
shooting, hiking, camping, watersports,
including surfing, and even golf. If it
happens outdoors, you will find it here
in the Falkland Islands.
Top left – Gypsy Cove, Stanley (Connie Stevens)
Top right – Keppel Island seen from Pebble settlement (Allan White)
Centre right – View from Tumbledown summit (Louise Taylor)
Bottom - View from Carcass Island (Jackie Adams)
The natural environment is the essence
of the tourist experience in the
Falkland Islands. Wildlife encounters
are very much in the wild and rarely
shared with large numbers of other
humans.
They
may
be
up-close-and-personal, with respect
for the wildlife of course, or from the
comfort of a vehicle as you choose.
Penguins and marine mammals are
guaranteed at many locations during
the summer months along with a
wealth of other species of flora and
fauna. These are set against a
backdrop of rugged mountains or
pristine coastal areas unspoiled by
development.
There have been around 220 species
of bird recorded in the Falkland Islands,
including over a million penguins and
70% of the world's black-browed
albatross population. There are also 14
species of regularly occurring marine
mammal, such as fur seals, the
southern sea lion and the world’s
largest pinniped, the elephant seal.
The waters around the Islands are
home to Commerson’s and Peale’s
dolphins, with a variety of whale
species including the killer whale
(orca). Over 400 species of plant have
also been identified in the Falklands, of
which 14 are endemic and 178 are
native.
Top left – Albatross on West Point Island (Frances Hunter)
Top right – Gentoo feeding chick (Ali Liddle)
Lower top left – Elephant seals (Nigel McCall)
Lower top right – Rockhopper penguin (Nigel McCall)
Upper left bottom – Diddle-dee berries (Allan White)
Left bottom – King penguin group (Nigel McCall)
Bottom right – Sea Lion in profile (Allan White)
The English navigator, John Davis,
aboard the "Desire" made the first
confirmed sighting of the Islands in
1592. During the early 1830s "HMS
Beagle" visited the Islands with the
naturalist, Charles Darwin on board.
Darwin not only collected flora, fauna
and fossils important to the conception
of "On the Origin of Species" but also
commented on the geological
features now known as "stone runs"
and the number of shipwrecks around
the Islands.
The Falkland Islands have a rich history
embracing maritime trade, missionary
links, Darwinian discoveries and
participation in the two World Wars.
Memorials and reminders of the 1982
conflict feature significantly, but there
is much more to discover about the
heritage of the Islands. Links with
sealers, whalers, explorers and South
American indigenous people have
helped to shape the culture, as well as
the natural environment of today's
Falklands. From fossils to geological
features,
historic
buildings
to
shipwrecks, reminders of the past can
be found everywhere in the Islands.
Top – Lady Elizabeth, Stanley (FIG)
Centre left – The Totem Pole, Stanley (FIG)
Bottom left – Stanley from the harbor (Stephen Luxton)
Bottom right – Liberation Monument, Stanley (FIG)
King Penguin in profile (FIG)
King penguin chick
(Joleen Morrison)
Yachts at the Canache, Stanley
(Sharon Jaffray)
Peale’s dolphin (Stephen Luxton)
1. Penguins at Volunteer Point: Join a guided excursion in a
4x4 vehicle to turquoise waters and white sandy beaches,
where you could almost be in the Caribbean... except for
the king, gentoo and Magellanic penguins that keep you
company.
2. Boat Trip to West Point Island: Experience vast numbers of
black-browed albatross, rockhopper penguins and superb
cliff scenery on an excursion to this island off the most
north-westerly point of West Falkland. During the hour-long
boat journey dolphins will keep you entertained and on
arrival you can explore the picturesque settlement.
Fresh Falklands food (SeAled PR)
Christchurch Cathedral (Louise Taylor)
Fresh Falklands food (SeAled PR)
3. Taste the Falklands: Sample the Falklands flavours of
excellent beef and fish dishes served with home-grown
vegetables and salad, and scones with diddle-dee jam
made by your hosts at lodges such as Managers House on
Carcass Island. Or pay a visit to Stanley’s restaurants to
savour the local ingredients and natural flavours of toothfish
brochettes or upland goose paté.
Christchurch Cathedral through Whalebone
Arch (Louise Taylor)
4. The World’s Most Southerly Cathedral: Christ Church
Cathedral, which dates from 1890, is just one of the many
attractions in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands.
Many of Stanley’s older houses have brightly-coloured
corrugated iron roofs, white walls and painted woodwork,
while 150 year-old settlers’ cottages can also be seen.
Weddell Island track (Layla Crowie)
Gentoo penguin (Allan White)
Queen of the Falklands Fritillary
(Allan White)
Darwin Corral (Louise Taylor)
6. Follow in the Footsteps of Charles Darwin: The settlement of
Darwin on East Falkland is named after the famous naturalist
who spent some time here during his travels 175 years ago.
The Falklands wildlife viewing experience is unsurpassed, with
abundant marine and birdlife; elephants seals, sea lions, rare
birds of prey, black browed albatross and five different
breeds of around one million penguins live on the islands, to
name but a few.
SS Great Britain mast (FITB)
Bodie Creek Bridge (Louise Taylor)
Sea Lion Lodge (Nigel McCall)
Port Howard (Helen Wilkinson)
7. Revisit Falklands History: A walk around Stanley will reveal a
maritime history that spans back to the seventeenth century,
while the Falkland Islands Museum in Stanley shows how life in
the Falklands has changed over time. A battlefield tour of
Goose Green or Mount Tumbledown, led by local people
with expert knowledge, will evoke memories of the 1982
conflict.
8. Lodge Life: Staying at Port Howard Lodge or Sea Lion
Lodge will ensure a warm Falklands welcome and a chance
to learn about camp life. Each lodge has its own distinct
character and you will meet other travellers as well as local
characters.
Sea Lion at sea (Allan White)
Christmas races, Stanley (Mark Symonds)
FIGAS landing at Pebble Island (Paul Trowell)
9. Island Hopping: See the Falklands from the air on a
Falkland Islands Government Air Service 10-seater Britten
Norman Islander light aircraft. Flights are operated to major
settlements and tourist destinations across the Islands; each
has a diversity of flora, fauna and natural beauty to discover.
Goose Green horse racing (Louise Taylor)
10. Sports Week: Taking place in February/March every year,
Camp Sports Week marks the end of the shearing season.
After five months of hard labour on the farms, it is time to
relax and celebrate the gathering of another year's wool
clip. You can enjoy spectating, or even join in the
programme of horse racing, sheep and dog trials,
barbecues and children's events, which is interspersed with a
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