Shore excursions are an excellent way to explore Falkland Islands' wildlife and culture if you're short on time. The excursions listed below take place around Stanley and upper East Falklands. If your tour includes watching wildlife, be sure to read the Countryside Code before you leave to make sure you get the most out of your experience. If you plan to be in the Falklands for several days before or after your cruise, please see our "What to see and do " pages - which detail other destinations available to those with more time on their hands.

Please note that due to the small size of the Falklands, not every excursion will always be available. To avoid disappointment we recommend you book your preferred tour with your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager as soon as possible. In some instances you can also hire a local independent guide who will collect you in Stanley on your day of arrival. Both options are detailed below where appropriate. 

Battlefield tours

The Falklands Conflict between Britain and Argentina took place between April and June 1982, during which time both sides lost many lives. Whilst many individual battles took place right across the Islands, some of the fiercest fighting was experienced around the hills of Stanley at such famous sites as Mt Tumbledown, Mt Longdon, Mt William, Mt Harriet, the Two Sisters and Wireless Ridge. Memorials and Monuments can be found at most of these sites, and there is still much evidence of the conflict on the ground - including man-made bunkers and fox holes, discarded clothing, used munitions and the occasional cooking stove.

A battlefield tour will incorporate some or all of these sites, depending on the length of time available and weather conditions. In addition, selected tours will also head further afield to view some of the major historic sites located outside Stanley. At Darwin and Goose Green there are several Memorials and Monuments commemorating Britain's 2 Para - who triumphed over the Argentines to free the inhabitants of Goose Green in the first major battle of the Conflict. This difficult and exposed operation was led by Colonel H Jones - who subsequently fell in battle before victory was sealed - his Memorial can be visited on the hills outside Darwin. The official Argentine cemetery can also be found just outside Darwin, and is open to the general public.  Closer to Stanley at Fitzroy and Port Pleasant, there are Memorials for the Welsh Guards, Royal Fleet Auxiliary as well as several personal memorials. Each commemorates the loss of life on the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, two British logistics vessels bombed by Argentine Skyhawk aircraft during the transfer of troops, ammunition and equipment on the 8th June.

How long will this tour take?
4+ hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager

- Hire a local guide

 
Bluff Cove lagoon tour

Less than an hour from Stanley on a guided 4WD tour, the Lagoon at Bluff Cove farm is privately owned and offers cruise visitors the opportunity to view a variety of wildlife in a photogenic beach setting. Visitors can stroll along the white sandy beach, home to 1,000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins and a growing colony of king penguins and chicks - or watch for sea lions and dolphins often seen swimming in the surf. Other frequently seen species include ruddy headed and upland geese, Falkland skuas, southern giant petrels, South American terns, Magellanic oystercatchers, two-banded plovers, rufous-chested dotterels, white-rumped sandpipers, Magellanic snipe, black-throated finches, dark-faced ground tyrants and various native plant species.

The Lagoon is also home to the legendary Sea Cabbage Café.  Situated just metres from the water the café is open exclusively to cruise ship guests and offers complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and delicious home-baked goods (featuring Diddle-dee jam, butter and cream all made on the farm). The café is heated by a traditional peat stove, and features well-appointed restroom facilities.

Guests are collected from the waterfront in Stanley and transported to the farm entrance by mini-bus. This 30 minute journey is provided by local drivers and includes a brief tour of Stanley and overview of the 1982 conflict battlefields. On arrival at the farm, guests then transfer to 4WD vehicles for the short trip to the penguin rookeries at the Lagoon. Guests are free to wander about the rookeries and take photos or simply sit and observe - wardens are also on-site to answer any questions you may have. Once ready, you can take the easy 5 minute walk down to Sea Cabbage Café to sample some locally-baked delights before being transported back to Stanley. Visit the Bluff Cove Lagoon website for more information and images www.falklandpenguins.com

How long will this tour take?
3 hours 

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager 

 
Gypsy Cove Nature trek

Depending on the length of time available and weather conditions, your nature trek may incorporate Gypsy Cove, Hadassah Bay and Yorke Bay pond - or a combination of each. The region affords excellent views of your boat at anchor, and panoramic shots of Mount Lowe and Stanley through the Narrows.

Gypsy Cove is a photogenic beach enclosed by a colony of burrowing Magellanic penguins.  Its proximity to Stanley (4 miles by foot) makes it a popular spot for locals and cruise ship visitors seeking their first Falklands penguin encounter. Interpretive signagage has recently been installed on the site, detailing flora, fauna and key points of interest.

Hadassah Bay, renamed in the 1800s for the Government schooner that ran aground in the shallows, lies immediately to the west of Gypsy Cove and makes a pleasant extension of the Gypsy Cove walk - passing along the coast and either looping back to the Gypsy cove parking area or continuing on to Yorke Bay Pond. Frequently seen species across these two locations include Magellanic penguin, Commerson's and Peale's dolphin, black-crowned night heron, rock coromorant, variable hawk,  Falkland flightless steamer duck, with sea lions also occasionally appearing on the shore among tussac.  Many small-bird species can also be spotted, including the dark-faced ground tyrant, Falkland thrush, black-throated finch, and the bright long-tailed meadowlark.

Yorke Bay Pond is an easy 20 minute walk from Gypsy Cove and Hadassah Bay past a beautiful enclosed sand dune system. Yorke Bay Pond is home to the rare Dusen’s Moonwort (Botryshium dusenii); this threatened species is only found on East Falklands. Other species of note include speckled teal, Magellanic snipe, and silver teal.

Length of tour:
1 to 3.5 hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager
- Hire a local guide

Kelp Point beach tour 

Approximately 2.5 hours from Stanley, Kelp Point is one of the most diverse flora and fauna sites in the Falklands, offering access to 30+ bird species, Southern elephant seals, gentoo and Magellanic penguins.  Queen of Falklands Fritillary butterfly can be spotted on patches of Falkland Lavender, whilst Vanilla Daisies, Scurvy Grass, Fachine, and Christmas Bush are found right across the region.

Guests are collected at Stanley's waterfront and transferred by 4WD vehicles along Mount Pleasant road.  This section of the drive, lasting approximately 40 minutes, will pass through several important battle sites from the 1982 Conflict between Britain and Argentina, as well as the sprawling geological stone runs formed during the last Ice Age. Once past Fitzroy Farm turnoff your guide will turn off-road and head for the coast, crossing vast white grass paddocks. The first distinctive landmark is Island Harbour House - now uninhabited except for the occasional passing shepherd gathering sheep.

Arriving at Kelp Point, guests will immediately spot the southern elephant seals lazing about on the shore and in the shallows. Males arrive on the beach in late September, and females approximately one week later. Pups are born in late September/early October and suckle for 23 days - after which time their mothers mate again and return to sea. Most elephant seals will have left the Islands by late February/early March. There is also opportunity to visit nearby Pleasant Roads beach, where visitors can fossick among whale bones and shells or undertake some serious bird watching with many species present - gentoo penguins can be found just 5 minutes from the beach on-foot.

Length of tour:
6 to 7 hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager
- Hire a local guide

Long Island Farm tour

Situated 20 miles from Stanley as the crow flies, Long Island farm is a popular destination for cruise passengers and day trippers alike.

6^th generation Falkland Islanders Neil and Glenda Watson continue to farm their 22,000 acre property in traditional Falkland style, using locally bred dogs and horses to gather their sheep from as far afield as Mount Longdon near Stanley.  Peat is still the preferred fuel for cooking and heating, and the farm produces its own milk, bread, butter and cream.

Guests are escorted from Stanley to Long Island with a professional guide. This journey takes approximately 1 hour by bus, during which time guests will have the opportunity to pass through and learn about several key battlefields from the 1982 Conflict between Britain and Argentina. On arrival at the farm, guests will be treated to several demonstrations of traditional Falklands' farm work, including peat cutting, sheep shearing, sheep herding using sheep dogs, and saddling horses for work using traditional Falklands gear. Tea and snacks are also available to guests in the Watson's home.

Length of tour:
4 hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager 

 
Rockhopper penguin tour

Located on Murrell Farm and shadowed by Mount Lowe, this tour offers guests the chance to see the rare rockhopper penguin whilst still allowing time to explore Stanley or organise a second tour.

Guests are collected in Stanley by an experienced driver/guide and transported to the rockhopper colony just 60 minutes drive by 4WD. The tour will pass through Moody Brook (the former location of the British Royal Marines, Naval Party 901), before heading over Wireless Ridge and the trout-rich Murrell River. Once off-road you will head across open peat moorland, home to many small bird species which nest in native grasses and shrubs.

On arrival at the colony you will be greeted by approximately 400 rockhoppers in various stages of domestic activity. The male rockhoppers typically return to the Islands in early October, and the females usually one week later.  Eggs are laid in early November and hatch in early December, with parents then sharing brood-minding duties for approximately 25 days.  Late January is a fine time to visit, with the chicks beginning to form creches (nurseries), which roam about the colony annoying the adult birds and providing entertainment for visitors. By May, most rockhoppers will have returned to sea, heading northwards towards the Patagonian shelf to forage for the winter months. A warden/guide will remain on-site at all times, and refreshments and public amenities are also available.

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager

Sparrow Cove tour

Sparrow Cove was named after the British ketch HMS Sparrow, which was stationed in the Islands between 1839 and 1843. Part of Murrell Farm, Sparrow Cove features a photogenic beach set against the jagged peaks of Mount Lowe. Visitors are advised to wear wind/waterproof clothing, inclusive of warm hat, gloves, and sturdy walking shoes.

Visitors in Stanley on cruise ships can enjoy Sparrow Cove by taking a short boat trip from their anchored vessel to nearby Kidney Cove. On arrival, visitors are transferred to a 4WD vehicle for a 30 minute overland tour to the first penguin colony. Depending on the season it is possible to see two penguin species (gentoo and king penguins), as well as the enigmatic variable hawk, Falkland skua, upland goose and many other endemic sub-species.  The return boat trip provides great photo opportunities of Stanley and your ship at anchor. This tour lasts approximately 2-3 hours and should be booked through your shore excursion manager rather than Kidney Cove Safari Tours.

Length of tour:
3 to 4 hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager

 
Stanley town tours

Stanley is the capital of the Falklands Islands, home to 85% of the country’s population as well as the seat of Government and the majority of economic activity. Established by Governor Moody in 1843, Stanley has developed in to a flourishing town will full public amenities – but has also managed to retain much of its original seaside charm through the preservation of historic buildings and green space.

Your tour will take place either on-foot or as part of a vehicle tour. Your guide will point out major points of interest like the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Whalebone Arch, Jubilee Villas, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Tabernacle Church, Cartmell Cottage, Victory Green, Royal Falkland Islands Police Station, Town Hall, public bank, Government House – as well as the Senior Community School and the 1982 Liberation Memorial. Other points of interest slightly out of the centre of town but still within easy walking distance are the Stanley Cemetery and Memorial Wood to the east, and the Jhelum shipwreck, Falkland Islands Museum and WW1 Battle Memorial to the west.

Your tour will meander through the streets of Stanley and afford plenty of opportunities for photos and shopping, or to simply enjoying our well-kept nation’s capital.

How long will this tour take?
1 to 2 hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager

- Hire a local guide

Volunteer Point tour

Volunteer Point is one of the most popular and important tourist destinations in the Falklands.  The site is a cornucopia of bird activity, home to king, gentoo and Magellanic penguins – as well as waterfowl and endemic subspecies like the dark-faced ground tyrant, Falkland pipit and thrush.  In 2006/07, Falklands Conservation counted approximately 750 adult king penguins and 550 chicks, making Volunteer Point the largest, most accessible king penguin colony in the world outside of South Georgia.

Part of Johnson’s Harbour Farm, Volunteer Point and surrounding land has been in the same family since the 1870s. Volunteer Point is a vast lowland peninsula on the north-east coast of mainland East Falkland. Volunteer Beach, used by the penguin colonies, is approximately 2km long with nearby seasonal ponds. During the summer a warden resides on-site to ensure that tourists abide by the Countryside Code and do not interfere with sensitive breeding birds like the King Penguins. 

Guests will be collected by an experienced driver/guide in Stanley and transported by 4WD to Johnson's Harbour farm. This section of the drive takes place on an unsealed gravel road and lasts for approximately 1 hour, passing through spectacular stone runs and several key battlefield sites from the 1982 Conflict between Britain and Argentina. You will also pass the turn off to Pt Louis - now a private farm but originally the site of the first settlement in the Islands, established by the French in 1764. Once at Johnson's Harbour Farm the driver will set off towards Volunteer Point, crossing un-marked paddocks across often boggy terrain - many small bird species can be seen at this time. If weather conditions are good and the track is relatively dry, this overland section will take 1.5 hours and affords wonderful views of Mount Brisbane. On arrival at Volunteer Point beach, guests are given ample opportunity to wander about the penguin colonies, all existing within metres of one and other. The site features basic shelter and bathroom facilities for guest use.

Length of tour:
7 hours

How to book the tour:

- Book it through your cruise director/onboard shore excursion manager
- Hire a local guide