Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
The Peninsula is the classic way to experience Antarctica. Some of the best wildlife and most dramatic scenery can be found in this part of the Frozen Continent.
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Why cruise to the Falkland Islands?
- Falkland Island cruises take you to some of the most rewarding wildlife watching destinations on Earth.
- Five species of penguin call the Falkland Islands home, including king penguins, and the islands also host some of the biggest albatross colonies in the world.
- With nearly 230 species of birds, found in wild scenery from white sandy beaches to rugged headlands, the Falklands Islands is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
- The Falklands Islands pocket-sized capital Stanley, has a wealth of history to explore, with a unique British flavour.
- Swoop offers impartial, commission-free advice to help you find the best cruise for you from every major operator, and our price match promise means we’re never beaten on price.
Falkland Islands cruises: Our most popular voyages
The following trips include time exploring the Falkland Islands as part of a longer voyage including South Georgia & Antarctica
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Falkland Islands Wildlife
The Falkland Islands have more penguin species than Antarctica, and some of the largest albatross colonies in the world. For birders in particular the islands are a fantastic destination: there are 227 recorded species here, with 59 regular breeders and two endemics to cross off the life list, including the Falkland steamer duck.
The change to see up to five of the world’s penguin species is also a major drawcard. Gentoo, Magellanic, Southern rockhopper, macaroni and king penguins are all found here. Whales and dolphins are a common sight offshore and there's always the chance of seeing lazing sea lions or giant elephant seals hauled up on the beaches.
Many species have no fear of people and it’s far from uncommon for the patient observer to be approached by a curious penguin or inquisitive caracara, making for some unforgettable wildlife encounters during Falkland Islands cruises.
A rockhopper penguin surrounded by black-browed albatross at West Point
Falkland Islands History
The Falkland Islands have a long and frequently contested history. The unoccupied islands were first claimed by the British in the mid-18th century, but France and Spain both looked to exert their claims to the islands at different times. To this day the islanders remain fiercely loyal to the British crown, but Argentina has maintained a claim to sovereignty that they continue to this day. In Spanish the islands are known as Las Malvinas.
In the middle of the 19th century Stanley was briefly one of the world’s ports as a stopping point on the trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific around Cape Horn. At different times the islands made their living from whaling and sheep farming in relative obscurity until the 1982 war thrust them into the world spotlight.
While peace has long returned to these sleepy islands, vestiges of that time are still visible and many islanders still have their stories from the war – while having their faces set firmly to the future.
The wreck of the Lady Elizabeth near Stanley
Swoop says
The Falklands Islands offer some amazing wildlife experiences that you just won't find anywhere else on the planet. They're so much more than just an extra to add on to a South Georgia and Antarctica cruise.
Cassia Jackson Antarctica Specialist
Where to visit in the Falklands Islands
Where you'll visit in your cruise to the Falkland Islands depends on the weather, season and ship itinerary. Specific landing sites can never be guaranteed, but these are some of the most popular locations that expedition cruise ships aim to call at:
From the extraordinary black-browed albatross colonies at West Point and New Island, there are some amazing places to see seabirds. For penguins, Carcass Island is famous for its magellanic colony, while there is the chance of seeing four species in one landing at Saunders Island. Bleaker Island is noted for its rockhoppers and sealions.
Taking a break from the wildlife, Stanley is a fascinating place to explore with its history, beautiful cathedral and traditional British pubs, as well as offering the chance to see shipwreck and visit nearby Gypsy Cove with its Magellanic penguins.
The Falkland Islands are home to many black-browed albatross colonies
Getting to the Falkland Islands
The only direct commercial flight to the Falkland Islands is the weekly flight from Punta Arenas in Chile.
Most visitors to the Falkland Islands arrive by cruise ship as part of a longer cruise visiting South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. The trips generally last between 18-21 days depending on the ship. A smaller number of itineraries concentrate on just the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, giving you more time to enjoy these destinations.
Some cruise operators offer fly-sail cruises where you can join the ship in Stanley. These can be a great option for those looking to reduce their time at sea.
With gentoo penguins on a Falkland Islands beach
Best time to visit the Falkland Islands
The best time to visit the Falkland Islands is from mid-October to late March. This corresponds with the Austral summer and the Antarctic cruise season The islands have a cold maritime climate, although it is far milder when compared to Antarctic temperatures.
Visiting at this time you can expect to see flowers in bloom such as the bright yellows of the island’s iconic gorse. This is also the time when animals breed, so depending on when you visit you have the chance to see penguins chicks, albatrosses on the nest or sea lion pups.
Daytime temperatures during the summer season are typically around 10-13ºC (50–55ºF). Within this there can be tremendous variation, from light snow flurries to sunny days when a t-shirt is all you need. The only truly constant factor is the weather’s unpredictability.
It's possible to experience all four seasons in a day on the Falkland Islands
What our travellers say about their Falkland Islands cruise
The Falkland Islands trips scored 4.6/5 from 430 reviews
We loved every minute of it, just wish we could have spent a bit more time in Stanley, it looks so delightfully colonial like belonging to another age.
Travelled: January 2018
Lucien & Marie-Eve - South Africa
Comfort & adventure Falkland Islands cruises
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Luxury & fine dining Falkland Islands cruises
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Falkland Islands Cruises: FAQs
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Do cruise ships go to the Falkland Islands?
Yes, cruise ships visit the Falkland Islands, most typically as part of a longer itinerary including South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
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How do I get to the Falkland Islands?
Most people visit the Falkland Islands on an expedition cruise ship in conjunction with a visit to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. The islands take around a day and a half to reach from Ushuaia in Argentina, the main departure port for cruise ships.
It is also possible to fly to the Falkland Islands from Chile, on a weekly direct flight from Punta Arenas.
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When is the best time to go to the Falkland Islands?
The visitor season on the Falkland Islands typically runs through from October to April. The more favourable months are November to February, which roughly corresponds to the height of the Antarctic cruise season.
For more information see our guide on when to visit the Falkland Islands.
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Can I fly to the Falkland Islands?
There is a weekly flight to from Punta Arenas in Chile to Mount Pleasant near Stanley. The flight departs every Saturday. It is also possible (if more complicated to arrange) to fly direct to the Falkland Islands from the UK on a service operating from RAF Brize Norton.
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How far are the Falkland Islands from Argentina?
The Falkland Islands are approximately 480 km (300 miles) from Argentina, east of the coast of Argentinian Patagonia. The islands are known as Las Malvinas in Argentina, which claims sovereignty over them.
There are no direct flights between Argentina and the Falkland Islands.
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Can US citizens go to the Falkland Islands?
Yes, US citizens can go to the Falkland Islands. You need to take your passport; but if you are visiting as part of a cruise, immigration procedures at Stanley are carried out by the ship operator.
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Do you need a visa to visit?
In general, cruise ship visitors don’t require a visa for Falkland Islands or to participate in shore excursions. However, visitors arriving by air, or intending to spend time in the Falkland Islands before or after a cruise, may need a visa. If you hold a passport for the USA, Canada, EU countries, Australia or New Zealand and most Asian and South America countries then no visa is required.
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What wildlife will I see on a Falkland Islands cruise?
Penguins are one of the biggest wildlife attractions on the Falkland Islands, which is home to five species. The Falklands are also home to the biggest colonies of black-browed albatrosses in the world. The island has nearly 230 species of birds, as well as seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins.
For more, see our guide to Falkland Islands wildlife.
Explore more of the Antarctic region
Antarctica & South Georgia Cruises
A jewel in Antarctica's crown, South Georgia is one of the world's great wildlife destinations: the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
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Weddell Sea Cruises
The Weddell Sea is Antarctica at its most untamed. Accessible for only a few months of the year, it’s home to immense tabular icebergs and remote emperor penguin colonies.
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When to go to Antarctica
Choosing when to go to Antarctica is a key part of planning a cruise, with each month of the season offering a different side of the continent.
Discover MoreSouth Georgia Cruises
For sheer density of wildlife, majestic scenery and riveting history, South Georgia is a truly world-beating destination. Known as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, it’s one of the least visited places on earth – and offers great rewards for those who make their way to its shores.
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