Falkland Islands Travel Guide | Wildlife and Things to Do

Volunteer Point: King penguins up close

Home to the largest accessible colony of king penguins outside South Georgia, Volunteer Point offers a truly memorable experience.

• Getting there: 4x4 day trip or helicopter ride from Stanley (permits required)

• What to expect: King penguins against a backdrop of grassy dunes and white sand, plus the chance to stay overnight at the Warden’s House.

Sea Lion Island: Elephant seals, sea lions & killer whales

One of the best places on Earth to see Southern elephant seals and South American sea lions, with occasional orca sightings.

• Getting there: 1-hour FIGAS flight from Stanley

• Best time: October–November for pupping season

• Also look for: Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Carcass Island: Penguin diversity and endemics

A rat-free island with incredible biodiversity.

• What you’ll see: Magellanic and gentoo penguins, the endemic Cobb’s wren, striking caracaras, and Commerson’s dolphins offshore

• Botanical bonus: Over 100 native plant species, including rare orchids and daisies

West Point Island: Albatross and rockhoppers

Famous for its cliffside black-browed albatross colony and energetic rockhopper penguins.

• Highlights: Devil’s Nose viewpoint, nesting cliffs above crashing surf

• Access: FIGAS flights or cruise ship landings

• Best time to visit: November for rockhopper chicks, December–January for albatross

Saunders Island: Five penguin species in one place

A unique location where you can see king, gentoo, Magellanic, rockhopper, and macaroni penguins on the same island.

• Bonus: Also home to albatrosses, hawks, and rare endemic plants

• Don’t miss: 'The Neck' for stunning wildlife photography

Spring in the Falklands (September–October)

As spring arrives in the Falklands, wildlife colonies come alive.

• Penguins and albatrosses return to their nesting sites and begin courtship and nest building.

• Elephant seals haul out, and pups are born on the beaches.

• Wildflowers begin to bloom across the islands, adding colour to the rugged landscape.

• Fewer visitors mean a more peaceful experience.

• Days begin to lengthen after the winter, with soft golden light and lingering sunsets — perfect for photography. Nights can still be long and star-filled.

Summer in the Falklands (November–February)

This is the peak season, with the islands bustling with life.

• Penguin and albatross chicks hatch and grow, filling the colonies with noise and activity.

• Longer daylight hours and milder temperatures make for the most comfortable travel conditions.

• Seals and sea lions are active, and marine bird colonies are at their most impressive.

• The longest days of the year, with up to ~17 hours of daylight in December and January. Dawn and dusk are extended, bathing the landscapes in warm tones.

Autumn in the Falklands (March–April)

• As summer fades, the islands quiet down — but wildlife remains fascinating.

• Penguin chicks fledge and head out to sea.

• Adult penguins and rockhoppers begin their annual molt.

• Albatross and petrel chicks fledge and take their first flights.

• Many birds prepare to migrate, and the landscapes feel serene and uncrowded.March–October: quieter months.

• Days grow shorter again, bringing dramatic skies, longer evenings, and the possibility of vivid sunrises and sunsets — a magical, quieter atmosphere.

Winter in the Falklands (May–August)

While the Falklands see very few visitors in winter, the islands remain home to hardy wildlife and spectacular scenery.

• Days are short, with long nights and a crisp, quiet atmosphere.

• King penguins, which breed year-round, can still be seen attending to their chicks.

• Many migratory birds and marine mammals are at sea during these months.

• The weather is colder, windier, and more unpredictable — but the landscapes feel even more remote and wild.

Penguins of the Falklands

King Penguin: Elegant, tall, and brightly marked with golden-orange accents. Found at  Volunteer Point in one of the world’s most accessible colonies.

Gentoo Penguin: Curious and active, with bright red bills and white caps. Widespread across the islands and often seen gathering in large colonies.

Rockhopper Penguin: Bold and comical, with yellow crests and red eyes. Famous for hopping up steep cliffs at sites like Saunders Island and West Point.

Magellanic Penguin: Shy, burrow-nesting penguins that prefer sandy soils near beaches. Common near Stanley and Carcass Island—over 140,000 pairs nest here.

Macaroni Penguin: Rare visitor with golden crests; occasionally found in remote colonies like the Jason Islands.

Seabirds and endemics

The islands support over 60 bird species, including globally significant seabird colonies and rare endemics.

Black-browed Albatross: Over 70% of the global population breeds here. Colonies on Steeple Jason, West Point, and Saunders are spectacular. Their graceful flight and dense nesting cliffs are unforgettable.

Striated Caracara (Johnny Rook): One of the world’s rarest birds of prey, curious and bold, often approaching humans.

Cobb’s Wren: A tiny, endemic species found only on predator-free islands like Carcass Island.

Falkland Steamer Duck: A flightless duck unique to the Falklands, seen near kelp-lined shores.

Falkland Thrush & Tussacbird: Subspecies unique to the Falklands, thriving in dense tussock grass habitats often alongside penguin colonies.

Marine mammals

Southern Elephant Seal: The largest seal species on Earth; males can weigh up to 4,000 kg. They gather in dramatic breeding colonies on Sea Lion Island from September to November, when bulls fight for harems and pups are born.

South American Sea Lion: Loud and territorial, with a thick mane around the males’ necks. These sea lions are found year-round, especially on Sea Lion Island and New Island, where they haul out and breed in rocky coves.

Peale’s Dolphin: Medium-sized, dark gray dolphins with pale flanks and a white throat patch. Frequently seen riding boat wakes and playing in the surf along the coasts of East and West Falklands.

Commerson’s Dolphin: Small and striking, with a distinctive black-and-white "panda" pattern. These energetic dolphins are commonly spotted in shallow, inshore waters, often near kelp beds.

Orca (Killer Whale): Powerful apex predators that occasionally patrol the shores, particularly near Sea Lion Island during the elephant seal pupping season (Oct–Nov), hunting young seals or penguins.

Sei Whale & Humpback Whale: Migratory baleen whales that pass through the deeper waters around the Falklands, especially in austral summer (December–March). Sightings are less frequent but unforgettable.