Falkland Islands Tours & Cruises

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.