Falkland Islands

the Falkland Islands – one of the UK’s southernmost overseas territories – briefly came to global prominence in 1982 after its sovereignty was contested by Argentina, they aren’t on the radar for most travelers. This South Atlantic archipelago consists of more than 700 islands, is about the size of Connecticut (or half the size of Wales), and is home to some 3200 people, half a million sheep and a million penguins.

Visitors will find deserted, pristine beaches of sugary-white sand lapped by cold cerulean waters, with black-and-white Commerson’s dolphins playing in the surf; bleakly beautiful, treeless landscapes; shipwreck and plane wreck sites; and elephant seal colonies. Venture to this remote and fascinating destination to unravel the islands’ mystique for yourself.

The outlying islands

The Falklands’ biggest attraction is its wildlife. Many visitors who arrive during the peak season – between November and March, when the days are longest and the weather is more likely to be pleasant – are wildlife lovers who head straight for the outlying islands surrounding the main islands, West and East Falkland.

South of East Falkland, easily walkable Bleaker Island has gentoo and rockhopper penguin colonies, as well as a vast king cormorant colony. Farther south, tiny Sea Lion Island is home to gentoo, Magellanic and rockhopper penguins, plus large sea lion and elephant seal colonies.

North of West Falkland, Pebble Island offers a good mix of penguin colonies and Falklands War remains, as well as a stunning beach; 4WD tours reach most sites of interest. Large Saunders Island, to the west, is renowned for its enormous colonies of black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins, as well as smaller colonies of gentoo, Magellanic and king penguins and elephant seals.

At the Falklands archipelago’s northwestern edge, varied birdlife and large numbers of elephant seals thrive on smaller Carcass Island; boat trips can be arranged to uninhabited Steeple Jason Island, home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony.

Finally, vast Weddell Island, on the southwestern edge of the Falklands, has most of the Falklands’ bird species, including all the penguins, as well as visiting birds from South America. The island is also home to Patagonian foxes. February and March are the best months for whale-watching, with killer whales, blue whales, sei whales, southern right whales and others spotted in the deep waters along the edges of the archipelago.