It is estimated that since 2013 the Falkland Islands has doubled in tourism for travelers visiting by cruise ship. Part of the reason why tourism is on the rise in this area is because Norwegian Cruise Line has included stops to Stanley, the capital of the Falklands. To put it into perspective, some of their vessels carry around 1,900 passengers and will stop at Stanley about 9 times throughout the year. For those lucky enough to visit the islands they are in for a real treat as there are a lot of interesting things to see, including some unique wildlife.
The Birds
The biggest attraction when visiting the Falklands are the birds. It is estimated that there are 227 different species of birds on the islands. These include hawks, falcons and albatross. The island’s signature bird, the Falkland Flightless Steamer duck geese, can often be seen scurrying about as well. One of the most popular birds on the islands are the penguins. In particular the Rockhopper Penguins are one of the favorites among tourists with what appears to be an interesting patch of “hair” that sits on top of their heads. Travelers are generally delighted to see other species of penguins like King, Magellenic and Gentoo penguins. In addition to the birds, visitors can often sea dolphins and seals in the waters off the coast.
Military Memorabilia
There are quite a few memorials that feature military memorabilia such as those that deal with the Farkland’s War with Argentina that occurred in 1982. There are battlefields to tour at Mount Tumbledown and Goose Green. There’s also a military museum at Port Stanley that recently opened.
A Small Island Feel
The Falkland Islands are relatively small so there may not be as many excursions offered on bigger islands. However, the locals tend to be rather friendly and will often gladly lend a hand to help a visitor. It’s not unheard of for a local to take a day off from work to take visitors to go see some penguins.
When To Go
It’s important to plan a visit to the Falkland Islands during the right time of year. There are often high winds during the summer months. This can make for dangerous conditions for large cruise ships. There is usually around 6 cancellations each year due to bad weather. If you are planning on taking a cruise to the islands it’s best to travel in the fall or later in the spring.
