Weather patterns however, do play havoc with travel, so many lodges and tourism services shut down during the winter months here. The best time to visit the Falkland Islands is definitely during their spring or summer season, which falls between the months of November and March. In fact, when I was planning my trip there it was almost impossible to easily discover many of the barebones facts of what it takes to plan a trip there, especially if you’re trying to visit this amazing archipelago independently. The Falkland Islands offer a rare combination of raw natural beauty, vibrant wildlife, and a sense of tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere.
Education
In common with other countries, before entering the Falkland Islands, all visitors are required to provide the Customs & Immigration team with details on where they will stay for the duration of their time here. There is also oil and gas outside the sea area that belongs to the UK. The Falkland Islands are very remote and very little grows there in terms of fruit and vegetables.
In particular, you’ll see a heavy police presence here, you’ll also have to queue for a long time, as baggage facilities are pretty limited. It operates as both a commercial and military airport, run by the UK Defence Force. The wifi thing is a bit of a nightmare in the Falklands, so I suggest you see it as digital detox trip and embrace that.
How to Plan a Trip to the Falkland Islands
- I mean, remember the Falklands are an archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, so the weather will be very changeable – I was lucky over the course of a week in late January to have only one rainy day.
- The best time to visit the Falkland Islands is definitely during their spring or summer season, which falls between the months of November and March.
- While this will allow you to spend 7 full days on the islands, don’t forget to factor in a minimum of 2 days either side of your time there for travel to and from you home country.
- Whether you’re an adventurer, a photographer, or simply seeking peace, the Falklands promise an unforgettable experience.
While this will allow you to spend 7 full days on the islands, don’t forget to factor in a minimum of 2 days either side of your time there for travel to and from you home country. It is home to the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust, a museum devoted to the islands’ history. The town also features the Falkland Islands Philatelic Bureau; the Falklands have been issuing stamps that reflect the area’s history and wildlife since the late 1800s.
thoughts on “How to Plan a Trip to the Falkland Islands”
This was unclear during my trip, and some people missed their connection to Santiago as a result. Most of the island lodges have honesty bars, so you can enjoy a glass of wine with dinner here. The only place you don’t need permits are the self-guided trails around Stanley, as these are on government-owned land.
Visit the Falkland Islands!
Your best bet in the Falklands is to buy some of Sure’s wifi cards, which can be scratched off to reveal a code that allows you internet access at island wifi hotspots. Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies. Almost everyone will visit this archipelago during the summer, so this complete Falkland packing list I wrote covers everything you need to bring for travel in that season. In the winter (from May to Sept) the islands are cold and wet and grey. The Falkland Islands lie in the South Atlantic off the coast of southern South America.
Food arrives once every three weeks by cargo ship, so don’t expect a huge variety. There are only a few asphalt road, including the one connecting Stanley to Mount Pleasant. Once you get off road, you’ll soon understand why most locals drive 4×4. The best time to visit the Falklands is spring/summer, from October to April.
#19 Falklands Accommodation
If there are any questions that you have about visiting the Falkland Islands which you cannot find on this page or elsewhere on the website, please contact the Communications and Media Office. The Falkland Islands are a place unlike any other, which is why we thought it might be helpful to provide a list of key facts to bear in mind when visiting our beautiful home. During my stay I tried two different places, the restaurant at Malvina House Hotel, and the one at The Waterfront. The Malvina had an ample menu reminiscent of a British pub – think burgers, steaks, curries, stir-fries and some veggie options. The Waterfront had fewer dishes but more creative, and in my opinion the quality was higher.
- A coastal freighter travels around the two main islands to deliver supplies and collect the wool clip for transshipment to the United Kingdom.
- There are only a few asphalt road, including the one connecting Stanley to Mount Pleasant.
- Argentina and the UK had a short war in 1982, because Argentina claims to own the islands.
- In Stanley, there’s a couple of purpose built hotels, namely the Malvina House Hotel and the Waterfront Boutique Hotel.
- In fact, when I was planning my trip there it was almost impossible to easily discover many of the barebones facts of what it takes to plan a trip there, especially if you’re trying to visit this amazing archipelago independently.
Outside Stanley and on smaller islands, visitors stay in lodges on a full-board basis. These lodges typically have only 2/4 rooms, a common room with tea/coffee, books and a honesty bar, and a table where breakfast and dinner are served. To get between islands, you’ll fly on 8-seater Islander xspec price planes operated by FIGAS, the Falkland Islands Government Air Services. Their operational base is Stanley Airport, about 5 km from the town, not to be confused with Mount Pleasant, about 50 km away.
#7 Wifi & Data
This means to visit places without tours, especially on the main islands, if you want to go hiking, war memorial finding, penguin spotting or anything else, you’ll need a permit from the land owner. Ranges of hills run east-west across the northern parts of the two main islands, reaching 2,312 feet (705 metres) at Mount Usborne in East Falkland. The coastal topography features many drowned river valleys that form protected harbours.
The Falklands are breeding grounds for several million penguins—mostly rockhopper, magellanic, and gentoo penguins with smaller numbers of king and macaroni penguins. Dolphins and porpoises are common, and southern sea lions and elephant seals are also numerous. Squid are abundant in the waters surrounding the islands, but overfishing became an issue in the 1990s, and measures were taken to correct the problem.
The Legislative Assembly has 10 members, eight of whom are elected to four-year terms from two constituencies, while the other two, the same nonvoting members as on the Executive Council, are ex officio. Both the chief executive and the director of finance are appointed by the governor. There are no political parties, and all members of the legislature are elected as independents. Because of the limited flights to the islands – see below – it’s often better to plan your trip in week-long slots (to fit the flight patterns). There have two options – contacting a travel agent, or booking the trip yourself. In any case, it’s recommended to book your Falkland trip at least a year in advance, as accommodation on the smaller islands is very limited.
Under the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, Falkland Islanders are British citizens. For information on the use of drones (SUAs) in the Falkland Islands please visit the Falkland Islands Civil Aviation Department web page to ensure that you find the most up to date version of guidance and forms. Not all nationals require visas to enter the Falkland Islands, but please check the Customs & Immigration page for more information. Visitors from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Argentina and Brazil do not require a visa for their Falkland trip, for stays up to 1 month.
