Activities in Falkland Islands

Plenty of sunshine and blue skies provide the perfect setting for many outdoor activities in the Falklands. Vast open landscapes, rolling hills, sheltered harbours and hidden coves offer a range of opportunities.

Personal encounters with inquisitive residents
Wildlife encounters are up-close-and-personal; sit down, wait patiently by a penguin colony and it is quite likely that a penguin will come to look at you! Small birds, such as the tussac bird and dark-faced ground tyrant are equally curious and will want to know what you are up to. But most inquisitive of all is the striated caracara, known locally as the Johnny Rook is who is bold enough to steal from you! These are just a few of the wildlife delights that await.

Walking and fishing are popular outdoor pastimes and can be enjoyed in the company of others, with a local guide or you can choose to go-it-alone. Advice is freely given to get the best from a hiking route or fishing location.

Stunning photographic opportunities
The Islands offer perfect opportunities for professional and amateur photographers alike with stunning scenery and amazing animal antics easy to capture. Ever-changing landscapes provide specialists with a range of photographic opportunities.

Ideal location for outdoor sports
Other outdoor pursuits can be enjoyed around the Islands including geo-caching, water-sports, shooting and golf. Sailing is gaining popularity and yachts are warmly welcomed to travel around the archipelago.

Stanley has an annual half-marathon and is also home to the world’s most southerly certified full marathon. Running is enjoyed by many Islanders, some of whom pitch themselves again horse-riders in the “Man versus Horse” race.

Get out and explore for a whole day to really appreciate the feelings of indulgence when you return to a homely welcome or a cosy cottage of your own. Should you want to spend some time indoors, look out for art and craft activities, bring or buy your own materials and enjoy some down-time – you will have earn it!

Wildlife Watching
The Falkland Islands are one of the best places in the world for wildlife watching. With just a few exceptions, there are no barriers between watcher and wildlife and most days you are unlikely to share your wildlife watching spot with other humans.

Mischievous penguins
Soak up the sights, sounds and scents as you sit alongside a penguin colony watching gentoos steal nesting materials from their neighbours, rockhoppers scale impossibly steep cliffs or young, fluffy kings behaving like petulant teenagers making whistling noises and stomping their feet!

Look carefully for a stray macaroni amongst the rockhoppers. Sit a respectful distance from Magellanic burrows and you may be rewarded by the sight of their young. The joys of penguin watching cannot be overstated as there is always something happening.

Spectacular birdlife
Across the archipelago there are many and varied birding opportunities. Birdlife proliferates everywhere but if you are hoping to see a particular species, research your destination to be sure you will find it. Cobb’s wrens are on rodent-free islands. The inquisitive striated caracara, found on most offshore islands, is a delight to behold but keep a keen eye on your belongings. Black-browed albatrosses are numerous in some places.

Follow the Countryside Code, find an observation spot around 6 metres (20 feet) from the birds and you may find that they come to take a look at you.

Basking seals and sea lions
Seals and sea lions are also found at many locations. Floating in the shallows, basking in the sun, lazily flipping sand, nuzzling young, contesting a favourite location or a female, there is always something to observe. Sea Lion Island has the added chance of spotting an orca (killer whale) on the hunt for the next meal.

Whale watching
Trips out to sea afford the opportunity to try to spot the spectacular blows often exhibited by various species of baleen whale. Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins are frequently seen in the shallows and often accompany boats. Tours can be arranged to include the viewing of penguin colonies and sooty shearwaters on the ocean surface as dusk falls.

Gypsy Cove is the closest penguin colony to Stanley and all other destinations have wildlife watching opportunities. Spend as long as you wish and simply enjoy.

Photography
The glorious golden hues of open plains contrast with vast, open skies whilst rocky cliffs and hills form dramatic backdrops for a delicate flower or feisty tussle in a penguin colony. Whatever your level of skill with a camera of any kind, there is no reason to leave the Islands without a collection of inspirational images to remind you of your adventures. You may even choose to visit on a specialised photographic tour. Described as “a photographic extravaganza”, there really is something for everyone.

Wildlife is the most obvious theme and even without a telephoto lens, the birds and marine mammals make fascinating subject material. The opportunities are endless. Huge elephant seals basking in the sunlight, lazily flicking sand with their enormous flippers; sea lions rearing their heads amongst the tussac grass; gentoo penguins carefully stealing nesting materials from neighbours; Magellanic penguins peering from burrows; seabirds graceful in flight; a stunning striated cara-cara simply looking straight at you. With even the smallest zoom, young birds are brought into sharp or fuzzy focus to create an amazing image.

Ever-changing light conditions, big blue skies, aquamarines of the sea and soft white sands create the perfect conditions for spectacular landscape photography. Rolling hills, rocky ridges, open plains and seascapes provide fantastic settings and subjects in their own right. Early morning hues and nighttime fiery reds, crashing cascading waves and tranquil, reflective waters are favourite themes.

Colourful settlements nestle into foothills and straggle attractively along shorelines. The capital city, Stanley, has many buildings of interest from pioneer cottages to Christ Church Cathedral, the striking Cape Pembroke Lighthouse and iconic Whalebone Arch.

The Islands are truly a photographer’s paradise. Whatever your length of stay you cannot fail to capture a magnificent view, the entertaining antics of the wildlife or that simple special moment that sets the Falklands apart.

Walking & Hiking
The Falkland Islands must surely be considered amongst the best places in the world in which to walk. With such a sparse human population it is rare to meet anyone else outside Stanley. This is the essence of the walking experience, choose your own company then enjoy a very personal relationship with just the wilderness and wildlife.

An unparalleled great outdoors
With a gloriously unpolluted atmosphere the views on a bright, clear day are truly fantastic and there’s fresh, clean air to inhale deeply. And all to the accompaniment of the natural sounds of birdsong, the sea lapping the shore, a brisk breeze in the hills or the simple sound of silence.

Hiking routes are still under development which means that walkers must have a sense of responsibility and an understanding of the natural environment. But this is also part of the adventure of the Falklands, the feeling that you may be discovering a sheep track, sheltered cove, a wildlife-spot or even a rare plant where no human has previously trod.

Sea views from the lighthouse
Around Stanley there are plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding hills along with beautiful beaches to discover. Cape Pembroke is a lovely area with small ponds, coves and a charming lighthouse. Take a taxi to get started or begin at your accommodation to incorporate Stanley’s heritage into your walk.

Elsewhere on East and West Falkland and on smaller islands, accommodation providers will be ready with suggestions of walks from short scenic strolls to strenuous hikes, recommending particular points of interest and wildlife hot-spots. Some have sketch-maps or leaflets with walking information.

Geocaching
Keen geocachers will find themselves busy as they seek out geocaches in various locations around the archipelago. A local group can offer advice if needed.

Stay safe by telling someone where you are going, take water, food; wear strong walking boots and layers of clothes.

Fishing
Few places can offer wilderness fishing akin to the Falkland Islands. There are no crowds in the Falklands, just remote locations to enjoy the privacy of estuaries, rivers and streams. Add a backdrop of rugged hills or a beautiful beach and of course the fish, to create an experience regularly described by anglers as outstanding.

Truly wild fishing
Brown / Sea Trout and Mullet are noted for their size. The record for the largest sea trout caught in the Islands is held by Alison Faulkner at 22lbs 12.5 oz (approx 10. 3 kg). Local enthusiasts describe Falklands fishing as “world class”, “extremely good fun” and “in pristine condition”; “sea-trout fishing in the Falkland Islands is amongst the very best in the world. The isolated, wild locations, the beautiful rivers with picturesque pools and above all the number, size and willingness of the fish have spoiled me for fishing in the UK”.

The trout season runs from 1st September to 30th April. The best months are September/October and February/March with larger fish usually caught during the latter period. Few fish run in December/January, a better time for estuary fishing. The ideal time to fish is when a river is clearing after a spate. Mullet can be fished for all year round.

West Falkland offers a number of opportunities for fishing. On East Falkland the San Carlos River is an ideal location. If you want to come to fish, seek advice in advance from a tour operator or the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

You don’t need to be an expert to catch fish! Even non-anglers can have fun and perhaps discover a new talent. With a little advice from a local, a fishing rod and appropriate bait, throw your line in to see what happens. A tasty evening meal may await!

Sailing
With around 1,300 kilometres of coastline, the Falkland Islands can be explored by yacht and are the perfect setting for a sailing adventure. Turquoise blue seas and white sand beaches, home to an amazing array of wildlife, are the essence of any sailing experience.

A small number of companies offer Falklands’ expeditions or include the Islands as part of a wider itinerary. Visits can usually be tailored to the requests of passengers and access destinations that would normally be unavailable to larger and deeper drafted vessels.

Landings will include walks and shore excursions to various places of interest. Enjoy the thrill of a zodiac (inflatable boat) ride then take things at your own pace, or on a tailor-made trip agreed with your Captain. Time ashore and aboard will offer the opportunity to taste delicious Falklands-sourced foods including home-grown vegetables, locally-reared meat and the delights of smoko.

Falklands’ travel agencies can connect you with local vessel owners and offer itinerary suggestions. Add on the Antarctic or South Georgia and you are definitely destined for the holiday of a lifetime.

Private yachts are warmly welcomed to the Islands but are requested to give at least 24 hours’ notice of their intentions to both Customs and Immigration and the Harbour Authorities. Stanley must be the first port of call for visiting yachtsman who wish to further explore the Islands.

A Seafarers’ Centre is located at the eastern end of Stanley providing various services to sailors. Showers, laundry facilities, opportunities for rest and recreation, internet access including skype and wi-fi along with a café service can be obtained.

Arts & Crafts
To balance the outdoor activities or during inclement weather, you may wish to spend some time indoors. Falkland Islanders pursue many hobbies with arts and crafts as popular pastimes.

Skills workshops
Algernon Asprey painted tiny, colourful settlements beneath huge skies. Falklands’ artists continue to capture these magnificent views. Changing light conditions, rugged mountains and spectacular shorelines provide inspiration along with everyday farming life and the incredible wildlife. Occasional art workshops are held in the Islands. Artists can bring their own materials, or buy supplies in Stanley, to create their own landscapes or portraits of the flora and fauna.

Visitors interested in wool-crafts are easily catered for. Try your hand at spinning or weaving the local wool at the Spinners and Weavers Guild in Stanley. The Guild meets on Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons and welcomes visitors, with advance planning. Other workshops are held from time to time, including felting and dyeing, usually in Stanley or at Darwin House. The Guild also display their skills at events such as the Craft Fair which is held every September in Stanley. The Rookery at Dunnose Head, West Falkland, is home to a beautiful purpose-built studio overlooking the sea where Rosemary Wilkinson welcomes day visitors, by prior arrangement, to experiment with embellishing machines.

Falklands’ handicrafts
The annual Craft Fair provides the best opportunity for all local artists and crafters to display their creations. Islanders of all ages contribute spun wool, knitted, crotched and felted items, woodwork, hornwork, leatherwork, paintings, photographs and a large variety of models. Prizes are on offer and standards are always high. A visit to the Craft Fair is highly recommended.

Craft sales (sometimes advertised as craft fayres) are held periodically and are great places to seek out craft buys. As well as collecting souvenirs, take home some local materials and try out the crafts you see for yourself, an ideal reminder of your stay.

Sports
Land-based Sports
A number of sports take place in the Islands which can add interest to your time in the Islands or may even form the main purpose of your visit.

Ruggedly beautiful and challenging, the Stanley Golf Course offers the opportunity to play on one of the most southerly courses in the world with a striking backdrop of the Two Sisters and Tumbledown mountains. The 4,500 yard long course has 12 greens and 18 tees and has been developed and maintained to a high standard by dedicated members over the years.

The club welcomes visitors, you can play a full or part round for just £5. The course may look easy at a glance, but with the brisk winds typical of the Falklands it will test the skills of even the most experienced golfer to the limit.

Rifle shooting in the Falkland Islands dates back to the 1880s. The Falklands’ Rifle Club offers full bore rifle shooting at a 1000m range based at Rookery Bay, Stanley. The Falkland Gun Club offers practical pistol, precision pistol, small bore rifle (.22), all air disciplines and all clay target disciplines. The Phillips Point Range, Stanley is set up for Skeet (Olympic, English and American), Trap (ABT/Wobble and DTL) and English Sporting (simulated game and FITASC). Limited game shooting experiences are available and must be accompanied by a local guide.

Both clubs welcome visitors and have club firearms available to hire. A small temporary membership fee means you can shoot without need for a local licence.

The Stanley marathon is the world’s most southerly AIMS-certified marathon. Organised by the Standard Chartered Bank to raise money for charity, the marathon takes place each year in March and welcomes participants from overseas to join the locals in this challenging race.

Water Sports
Water-sports are not yet offered on a commercial basis but with a little advance planning it is possible to make the most of the beautiful shorelines and experience the cool temperatures of the South Atlantic in the company of our fantastic wildlife.

The surfing is described as “an adventure in magnificent settings,” by local enthusiasts and the Falklands beaches and coastline have barely been explored to date. There are no crowds and on most occasions the water is shared with Peale’s Dolphins whilst giant petrels and other seabirds fly overhead.

The most commonly surfed spot is Surf Bay just a few minutes’ drive from Stanley. With more than 1,300 kilometres of rugged coastline on both East and West Falklands there are many areas which have rarely been surfed and others yet to be discovered. A 5mm wetsuit is recommended as the minimum requirement with hood, booties and gloves. A standard surfboard is adequate.

Windsurfing and kayaking are also enjoyed by residents. There have been a number of kayaking expeditions made by visitors in recent years, the most successful of which was a 22-day circumnavigation of the Islands by New Yorker, Marcus Demuth. Marcus particularly enjoyed the hospitality he received from Islanders as well as the journey.

The Shallow Marine Surveys Group regularly dive at sites around the Islands. The Group describes the shallow marine environment as “the most diverse habitat of the Islands” and believes that there are many new species waiting to be discovered. Over one hundred shipwrecks lie on Falkland shores, also of interest to divers. Marine mammals frequently enjoy interacting with divers as they explore the coastal environment.

There are no shops selling or renting equipment in the Falkland but enthusiasts of water-based activities can make contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board to connect with locals who will advise you about your chosen sport.