Falkland Islands Cruise Ports & Cruise Guide

Total 2

This page is an overview of the 2 cruise ports in Falkland Islands, covering ocean cruises. 41 cruise ships visit Falkland Islands across 2 ports. See live sailings and availability on the Falkland Islands cruises page.

See Falkland Islands cruises & availability

The Falkland Islands are a remote, windswept British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, offering some of the most accessible sub-Antarctic wildlife on Earth: king penguins at Volunteer Point, black-browed albatrosses on West Point Island, and elephant seals on Sea Lion Island. For the American traveler seeking milestone adventure without crowds, the Falklands are best visited on a small expedition ship that can make Zodiac landings at outer islands, not just a tender stop in Stanley. The infrastructure is minimal, the weather is demanding, and the reward is genuine wilderness.

Country facts

Official name: Falkland Islands

Capital: Stanley

Population: Approximately 3,700 (2021 census figure)

Area: 12,173 km²

Language: English (official); some Spanish is spoken by certain residents

Currency: Falkland Islands pound (FKP), pegged 1:1 to pound sterling; sterling and US dollars are often accepted in Stanley

Government: British Overseas Territory with self-government; a locally elected Legislative Assembly and a Governor appointed by the UK monarch

Neighbours: No land borders; nearest mainland is Argentina, roughly 500 km west; South Georgia lies about 1,450 km east-southeast

Geography: Two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, plus about 700 smaller islands; treeless moorland, peat bogs, quartzite ridges, stone runs, cliffs, and white-sand beaches

Membership: Not a sovereign state; a UK Overseas Territory and part of the UK family of territories, not a separate UN member

Time zone: Falkland Islands Standard Time (UTC-3; no daylight saving)

Electricity: 240 V, 50 Hz (UK-style three-pin plug); US appliances need a transformer and adapter

Air gateway: Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) is the main international entry via the RAF Airbridge from the UK and limited LATAM service from Punta Arenas, Chile; Stanley Airport (PSY) handles internal Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) flights

History

First sighted by European explorers in the 16th century, the Falkland Islands were later settled by the French, briefly by Spain, and then claimed by Britain. Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands, which it calls Islas Malvinas. The 1982 Falklands War was a defining event: an Argentine invasion, a British military campaign to recover the territory, and a lasting source of tension. A 2013 referendum saw 99.8% of Islanders vote to remain a UK Overseas Territory.

1592

English navigator John Davis is widely credited with the first recorded sighting of the Falkland Islands.

1764

French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville established the first settlement at Port Louis on East Falkland.

1765

Britain established a settlement at Saunders Island, beginning a long sovereignty dispute with Spain and later Argentina.

1833

Britain reasserted its rule over the islands; Argentina traces its present-day claim to this event.

1982

Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands; a British task force retook the territory after a 74-day war.

2013

Falkland Islanders voted 99.8% in favor of remaining a UK Overseas Territory in a referendum.

The sovereignty question is not abstract. Argentina still claims the islands, and visitors will see 1982 memorials, decontaminated minefield areas, and a community deeply shaped by the war. Be sensitive when discussing the conflict, and always use 'Falkland Islands' unless an Islander suggests otherwise.

Culture

Falkland Islanders are a close-knit, overwhelmingly British-descended community with a distinct island identity shaped by farming, maritime history, and isolation. 'Kelpers' is sometimes used, but 'Islanders' is the preferred term.

Music: Pub folk and country music are popular, with strong British and Irish roots; local musicians play at Stanley's bars and community events, and there is a small but lively live-music scene.

Signature landscape: King, gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguin colonies on white-sand beaches, plus black-browed albatross colonies and the strange geological 'stone runs' of East Falkland.

Cuisine

Freshly caught fish and chips
Falkland Island lamb and mutton
Seafood chowder
Upland goose, locally hunted
Smoko: tea and cakes at mid-morning
Diddle-dee berry jam and blackberries
Beer from the Falkland Islands Brewery

Architecture & heritage

Colourful corrugated-iron houses in Stanley
Christ Church Cathedral and the Whalebone Arch
Historic Dockyard Museum
Government House
1982 Liberation Memorial and San Carlos Cemetery
Working sheep farms and wool-sheds on West Falkland

Tips for American travellers

Pack windproof and waterproof layers; weather changes in minutes and is cooler than the latitude suggests.
Carry cash in pounds; cards are accepted in Stanley but not reliably in outer-island settlements.
Respect farm gates, penguin colonies, and signed paths; this is working ranch land and fragile wildlife habitat.
Book excursions through your ship or a reputable local operator; expedition landings are weather-dependent and small-ship passengers get priority.
Avoid casually using the term 'Islas Malvinas'; the sovereignty dispute is real and personal to Islanders.

Major cities & destinations

Stanley Capital town

The only real town in the Falklands, with a colourful harbour, historic corrugated-iron houses, small museums, pubs, and easy access to wildlife on East Falkland.

The main cruise port; ships anchor in Stanley Harbour and tenders land passengers at the town jetty.

Historic Dockyard Museum Christ Church Cathedral and Whalebone Arch Government House 1982 Liberation Memorial Gypsy Cove and Yorke Bay Volunteer Point king penguin colony (day excursion)

Volunteer Point Natural area / penguin colony

A remote white-sand beach with one of the most accessible king penguin colonies in the world.

The classic full-day excursion from Stanley; a 4WD drive over farmland is part of the adventure.

King penguin colony Volunteer Point beach Volunteer Point Farm and peat bogs

Bluff Cove & Fitzroy Coastal settlement and wildlife area

Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, king cormorants, and a windswept coastal landscape close to Stanley.

A common shore-excursion destination from Stanley, reached by 4WD across farmland.

Bluff Cove Farm Gentoo penguin colony Magellanic penguin burrows Fitzroy Settlement Coastal cliffs and kelp beds

West Point Island Outer island wildlife sanctuary

Dramatic cliff-top colonies of black-browed albatross and rockhopper penguins, plus spectacular tussac grassland.

Expedition ships anchor off the island and make a wet or dry landing for a guided hike to the Rookery.

The Rookery West Point Island settlement Cliff viewpoints and tussac grass

Saunders Island Outer island wildlife sanctuary

The Neck is one of the best landing beaches in the Falklands, shared by gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins and black-browed albatrosses.

A classic expedition stop with a broad sandy landing at The Neck; the island is privately farmed and wildlife-rich.

The Neck Penguin colonies (gentoo, rockhopper, Magellanic) Black-browed albatross colony Saunders Island settlement

Carcass Island Outer island bird sanctuary

Gentle walking, tussac grassland, sandy beaches, and some of the friendliest birdlife in the Falklands.

Often used as a sheltered anchorage for expedition ships; passengers can walk from Leopard Beach to the settlement for tea.

Leopard Beach Ponds and wading birds Settlement gardens Tussac grass and small penguin colonies

New Island Outer island nature reserve

One of the most important seabird islands in the South Atlantic, with huge colonies of rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatrosses.

Expedition ships call at the nature reserve; boardwalks protect the fragile colonies.

New Island Nature Reserve Rookery Mount Black-browed albatross colonies New Island Museum and settlement

Sea Lion Island Outer island wildlife reserve

The smallest inhabited island, known for southern sea lions, elephant seals, and breeding penguins in an untouched setting.

A less-frequented expedition landing for travelers wanting solitude and ranger-led interpretation.

Sea Lion Island Nature Reserve Sea lion and elephant seal beaches Rockhopper and gentoo penguin colonies Wreck site and maritime history

Cruise ports of call

The Falkland Islands have no modern cruise terminals. Most calls are made from anchored expedition ships using Zodiacs or tenders. Stanley is the only true town, while outer islands are open anchorages where the landing itself is part of the adventure.

Antarctic & South Georgia Expedition Voyages: Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn to the Antarctic Peninsula, often with two to three Falkland Islands landings.
South America & Cape Horn Voyages: round-trip from Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, or Santiago that call at Stanley and outer islands as part of a broader Patagonia itinerary.

Stanley route_family_one; also route_family_two

Ships anchor in Stanley Harbour and tender passengers ashore. The town is walkable, and most East Falkland excursions depart from the jetty.

Best for: History, museums, pubs, walking, and day excursions to Volunteer Point or Bluff Cove.