West Falkland Island is almost as large as East Falkland, and home to several sheep stations. The sheep station of Port Howard, due to be connected by ferry to East Falkland across Falkland Sound, is the scenic base for hiking and trekking. Again, make sure you have permission to cross private land, and observe the local customs. Close gates after you.
In Stanley, you'll be reminded of the shipping past with a tour around the harbor. The Stanley Harbour Maritime History Trail shows you deserted ships, ships run aground, and many shipwrecks. No doubt the tour will inform you that the Falklands have the highest number of visible shipwrecks in the world. The Falkland Islands Museum has a good display of maritime history. A panoramic photo, taken by Mark Griffin at the end of the 1982 war, of Stanley Harbor gives you a nice view of Stanley. (Give the photo a moment or two to load.)
Christ Church Cathedral is a large brick and stone church built in 1892. The stained glass windows are attractive, and nearby is the residence of the governors of the island, Government House. Also nearby are the Whalebone Arch which commemorates British rule and Battle of the Falklands Memorial, commemorating the World War I naval battle of December 8, 1914.
San Carlos is where the British forces came ashore in 1982. Most of the fighting took place south of there in Darwin and Goose Green. You can visit the 1982 battlefields, but follow intructions. There are still unexploded land mines. The minefields are clearly marked and a map of them is available at Town Hall. There are tours which will give you the details. You might see some military activity around their base at Mt. Pleasant, but nothing to be alarmed about.
The war began on April 2, 1982 when Argentine forces invaded. Ownership of the islands has been contested since 1833, and Argentine military leadership thought to bolster their standing at home by attaching the islands. However, the Argentine forces were no match for the British forces and the war ended in May, averting further destruction and fatalities.
What to do:
Outdoor activities are the main attraction. Wildlife watching is prime.
You can also trek across country or follow the coast. An excellent walk from Seal Bay to Volunteer Point takes you along beaches and rocky cliffs where you'll see prolific wildlife. If you'd prefer to ride horseback, that can be arranged.
September through April is fishing season, and you'll sea trout, mullet and smelt at Murrel River. You can also arrange deep sea fishing.
Windsurfers enjoy some of the spots in Stanley Harbor, but it is recommended for only very experienced people. The winds can blow you straight out to sea and there's not much between the Falklands and Africa. Scuba divers can explore the sunken ships in the harbor. You'll need a good wetsuit.
Throughout the islands, you'll see tremendous numbers of penguins, other birds and marine mammals. Many of them are tame enough to allow you to get fairly close, but remember not to touch. Fishing is excellent.
From Port Louis, you'll want to go to Volunteer Beach, the home of breeding king penguins, the largest colony in the islands. If you walk out to Volunteer Point, and look at the water, you'll see fur seals, and on the walk back, go by Volunteer Lagoon to see the elephant seals.
The smaller islands clustered around East and West Falkland are home to prolific colonies and species. Sea Lion Island is small, less than a mile in width, but it is home to five species of penguins, (king, gentoo, rockhopper, macaroni, Magellanic also called jackass) cormorant colonies, petrels, sea lions, and other species of wildlife.
Pebble Island, Saunders Island, Weddell Island are all worth a trip. Wherever you go, make sure you have your binoculars, your camera and plenty of film. In most cases, you can get close enough for a spectacular closeup.
You'll see elephant seals, sea lions, fur seals and at least a few of the six species of dolphins. You might even see a killer whale or two.
Among the birds, you'll see black-browed cormorants, Magellanic snipe, geeze, steamer ducks, peregrine falcons, gulls, hawks and so many more!
There are far too many species for photos of them all, but you'll see a few of the many species in the Falkland Islands Photo Gallery
Enjoy your travels in the Falkland Islands!
