Top Falkland Islands hotels
The Falklands are a haven for nature. The ocean is busy with swimming seals, that are on the hunt for food. Though most of the seals respect the distance to humans, and the unfamiliar sighting of boats near by. Yet it is fun to watch them playing in the surf or waves, and curiously watching the human invaders into their territory.
Bleaker Island is a 30 minute flight south west of Stanley and is open year round. It is an isolated place that is home to only two inhabitants the Rendell family, which farm on the island with cattle and sheep. Their residence is in the middle of a teaming paradise for sealions, penguins and hundred of species of birds. The island is off the beaten track - yet if you should decide to visit this remote place you will not be disappointed, since all the natural highlights are only about 3 km away in either direction from the self catering cottage that is available for visitors.
In the bay and the hills surrounding Gipsy Cove one will find a large colony of Magellan Penguins. During my visit most of them had young once that were hiding in the nests protected by one of the family members – others were simply in groups on the beach. A beautiful natural site!!
Some 7 kilometres to the East of Stanley one finds a stunning bay with white covered sand. The way there alone is a treat to see the country side outside the capital town, the rugged tree less landscape that is teaming with bird life. I took a mountain bike to get there – and it was worse while every minute!!
Small and picturesque, that is the safest capital on earth, Stanley on the Falkland Island. Beautiful Victorian buildings with Falkland influence, churches and a great museum are to be found in Stanley. The town can be explored on foot and the information staff at the tourist info right next to the public jetty is more then helpful to ensure one has a great time here, and is able to see all the attractions.
Unknown to most people, the Falklans are a great place to watch marine wildlife.To Europeans, the most interesting are the numerous colonies of penguins. Only five kms away from Stanley, you can watch Magellan penguins, and as their natural enemies are in the water rather than on land, you can get within close range of theese funny creatures.Take care not to venture into the fenced-off areas; it's not to protect the penguins, but to prevent people from stepping on one of the Argentine mines, laid during the Falkland War of 1982.Gypsy Cove was a major battle-field, and now the fencing benefits the penguins, giving them a shelter they'd never have if all the cruise-boat tourists were allowed to enter the nesting sites.
One of the few chances of doing some "touristy stuff" on the Falklands is to visit Volounteer Beach, some 4-5 hours of driving away north of Stanley.Three types of penguins are found here: king penguins, gentoos and Magellan penguins.Of these, the kings are the most majestic and, by far, the dullest! Unlike the rockhoppers and the gentoos, they don't possess any bit of Italian temper, so you'll never see any territorial fights or other funny scenes.The Magellans are treated in the Gypsy Cove chapter, and the last species, the gentoo are equally entertaining - if not more.When the adults return from the sea with their bellies stuffed with krill, they are pursued physically by their chicks, until they surrender and gulp up some half-digested food! Seat yourself somewhere in the vicinity of the gentoo colony, and very likely, you'll soon hear the familiar sound of flapping gentoo feet,...
Get out and about, explore the countryside the wide open spaces, enjoy the freedom and fresh air. This especially applies to those people who are posted to MPA, there is no excuse to spend your tour in a drunken haze when you have scenery such as this, Pleasant Peak within walking distance of the airfield just waiting to be explored.
At approx 11km East of Stanley Cape Pembroke is the Easternmost point of the Falkland Islands and as such is worth visiting for that fact alone. When the weather is fine it makes for a pleasant walk starting from Stanley airport (you may want to get a taxi there and back). Conditions underfoot can get a bit damp however so make sure you have some sturdy footwear, the walk should take about 2 hours there and back. Cape Pembroke is a great place for wildlife observing, Red Backed Buzzards can be seen here and if you are lucky the odd sealion or even elephant seal or two. The current lighthouse was built in 1906-07 and it replaced an earlier lighthouse that was constructed in 1854. Cape Pembroke lighthouse continued to operate up until the conflict of 1982 when it was used as a look out post by Argentine forces. Restoration of the structure is on going and there are plans in the near future...
No visit to the Falklands is complete without seeing a Penguin and the most colourful of all the species has to be the king Penguin. The Falklands are the Northernmost breeding grounds of the King Penguin, the King colonies in the Falklands are very small however compared to those in South Georgia. Virtually extinct in the Falklands by the end of the 19th century these remarkable birds have staged a comback and now number around 700 pairs. The main colony is at Volunteer point on East Falkland but they can also be seen (albeit in far smaller numbers) at Saunders Island and Sea Lion Island.If you fancy adopting a king Penguin for a year contact Falklands Conservation on the link below. Money goes towards vital research into the Falklands population of Kings. I adopted one and he's called Kevin.. no this is not a photo of him!
Malvina House Hotel Stanley
1 Review and 24 Opinions Comfortable well apointed rooms, all en suite with shower/baths (which is a rare in the islands)....
Falkland Backpackers West Falkland
0 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Falkland Islands attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Falkland Islands sightseeing.
Q: several years ago i bought som Falkland Island Wool. i am short 1 skein. Do you have "Purely 100% Falklands Wools Shade T/Down. ...
A: Hi Liz, You need to contact the specialist supplier where you bought the wool - or - if you have seen a reference to Falklands wool in a Tip here on VT you will need to...
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