Falkland Islands Tours & Cruises
Welcome to the Falkland Islands, where penguins and sheep outnumber people by the hundred-thousands.
Standing on the gentle slopes or white sandy beaches of the Falkland Islands, it’s hard to believe that just a few decades ago, this archipelago was the site of war. These days, the spotlight is on the islands' incredible wildlife. On a Falkland Islands cruise, you'll have front-row seats to Antarctic and South American seabirds soaring through the sky, penguins strutting their stuff along the beach, colonies of elephant seals soaking up the sun, and pods of dolphins and whales playing in the surf. The Falklands are a wildlife wonderland waiting for you to explore.
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Explore tailor-made tripsFalkland Islands at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Stanley
POPULATION
3,714
CURRENCY
Falkland Islands pound (FKP)
LANGUAGE
English
TIME ZONE
UTC−3
CALLING CODE
+500
ELECTRICITY
Type G
Learn more about Falkland Islands
Local culture of Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and while there has been some influence from Argentina, Spain and France throughout history, the culture of the Falklands is notably British. Daily life in the Falklands is very similar to life in remote Scottish, Welsh and English villages and you can see this influence in the architecture, cuisine and cultural customs. The vast majority of people in the Falklands live in the tiny capital of Stanley – everywhere outside of this is called "camp” – and there's a real sense of community wherever you go. Outside of Stanley you could walk for hours and not see another human soul – penguins are a different story, though! When visiting the Falklands, make sure you pick up a copy of the local newspaper, The Penguin News to see what's happening in the community.
Geography & environment
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago of almost 800 islands located southwest of Argentina in the South Pacific. The two main islands, West and East Falkland, are mostly mountainous and craggy terrain with some low-lying plains. There are hundreds of smaller islands that are privately owned or occupied by wildlife. Due to its remote location and proximity to the South Pole, the weather tends to be very windy and rainy, and covered in fine snow during the cooler months.
Shopping guide to Falkland Islands
The only place to shop in the Falklands is Stanley, and while it's limited compared to big cities, you can easily find the essentials (groceries, home supplies, etc) as well as a few shops selling luxury items. The supermarkets sell fresh fish, meat and produce from the islands, as well as branded goods that are imported from the UK. If you want to take a piece of the Falklands home with you, gift shops sell handmade items like felt clothing and woollies made from the local sheep, and leather items produced on the islands. Pebbles and semi-precious stones are made into jewelry, and the local art draws influence from the spectacular landscape.
Food & drink in Falkland Islands
As an island nation, locally caught seafood is a big part of the Falklands' cuisine and features on many restaurant menus. Popular dishes include grilled calamari, Atlantic rock cod, scallops, mussels, and sea trout served with steamed vegetables and fritters. Classic British fish and chips is also a very popular dish, as are meals made with free-range lamb, beef and mutton raised on the islands. One of the favorite traditions for locals is the daily smoko (a local term for the mid-morning tea break), which typically includes a cup of tea or coffee served with cakes and biscuits.
Weather in the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands have a cool maritime climate with windy and cloudy weather conditions throughout the year. The weather is never extreme due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, but there are four distinct seasons. Daytime temperatures in winter range between 1.5 - 4.5°C (35-40°F), while summer temperatures linger between 15-18°C (60-65°F). The islands are fairly dry with most rainfall occurring in winter, but strong, blustery winds are almost always a given so make sure you bring a windproof jacket.
Falkland Islands travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Citizens of countries not listed below need to organize a visitor’s visa prior to arrival from the nearest British Embassy or Consulate. Those listed below will be issued a four-week visitor’s permit on arrival.
Visa-exempt countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City
Cruise passengers do not need a visa, regardless of nationality, unless planning to spend additional time in the Falkland Islands before or after the cruise. All those planning to stay on the islands must show that they have a return ticket, accommodation and sufficient funds to cover their expenses.
Tipping is not expected in the Falkland Islands. However, you may choose to leave a small tip if you feel particularly pleased with a service. In these cases, about 5% of the bill should do, or simply rounding up your fare.
Some businesses in Stanley (the capital) offer internet access on a pay-as-you-go basis and there are an increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots around the town. Accommodation will likely offer access to their Wi-Fi.
International roaming is available for a number of UK telephone networks. The local mobile network offers packages for short-term visitors. There are traditional British red phone boxes that accept either local pre-paid cards or coins. Outside of Stanley mobile coverage extends only to some parts of East Falkland and there are no public phone boxes.
The Falklands have Western-style flushable toilets.
Credit and debit cards can be used in many shops, hotels and restaurants in Stanley. Cash is generally the easiest payment option outside Stanley. British notes and coins are accepted, and many establishments will also accept US dollars and euros.
There is only one ATM machine at the fuel station in Stanley, but if this is out of service you can use the cash advance facility at the bank in Stanley using Visa or Mastercard
Tap water is safe to drink in Falkland Islands. For environmental reasons, avoid buying bottled water and bring a reusable bottle or canteen with you.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travelers, regardless of their nationality.
We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure. If traveling from the US, you can find helpful information from the US Department of State and the World Health Organization.
Read more about traveling with Intrepid as an American
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation