Falkland Islands Penguin Tours: The Ultimate Week-Long Guide for Fly-In Travelers

Falkland Islands Penguin Tours: The Ultimate Week-Long Guide for Fly-In Travelers

Flying Into the Falkland Islands? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Passengers disembark from a LATAM flight that has just landed at the Falkland Islands airport, marking their arrival on the islands.

So you've landed at Mount Pleasant — welcome to the Falkland Islands, one of the last truly wild corners of the planet. Whether you're here for the King Penguins, the elephant seals, the sea lions, or the history, a week on the islands gives you time to see it all properly, without rushing.

At Premium Penguin Tours, we specialize in taking fly-in travelers straight from the airport to some of the best wildlife encounters on Earth. Below is our full guide to what to see, how long each tour takes, and how to plan your week.

Getting here from the airport: We offer pick-up directly from Mount Pleasant Airport, taking the stress out of arrival. We'll get you safely to your accommodation in Stanley so you can start planning your wildlife week right away.

Best Time to Visit the Falkland Islands

The best time to visit the Falkland Islands is mid-November through to the end of February, during the Southern Hemisphere summer. This is when:

• King Penguin colonies are at their most active with breeding pairs and chicks

• Gentoo and Rockhopper Penguins are nesting

• Elephant seals and sea lions are commonly seen along the coast

• The islands' wildflowers are in full bloom (especially through November and December)

• Daylight hours are long, giving you more time on the road and at each site

If wildlife and photography are your priority, book your trip within this window.

Top 5 Falkland Islands Tours to Book

1. Volunteer Point — King Penguin Colony

A colony of king penguins carefully incubates their eggs at Volunteer Point, showcasing a remarkable display of nurturing and natural order.

Tour length: 6 hours | Travel time: approx. 2.5 hours from Stanley (90 minutes off-road)

Volunteer Point is the crown jewel of any Falklands wildlife trip. It's home to at least 3,000 breeding pairs of King Penguins, alongside a healthy population of Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins, plus a variety of other bird life nearby. The King Penguin colony here is one of the largest and most accessible in the world, making it an unmissable stop for photographers and wildlife lovers alike.

The journey itself is part of the adventure — roughly 2.5 hours from Stanley, with about 90 minutes on rugged off-road terrain, giving you a genuine taste of the Falklands' remote landscape before you even reach the colony.

2. Cape Bougainville — Rockhopper Penguins & Sea Lions

Rockhopper Penguins with their chicks gather on the rocky shores of Cape Bougainville, East Falkland, showcasing the region's vibrant wildlife.

Tour length: up to 6 hours | Travel time: approx. 2 hours 20 minutes from Stanley (35 minutes off-road)

A stunning, scenic site on the North Coast of East Falkland, Cape Bougainville is home to a significant breeding population of Rockhopper Penguins, along with Cormorants and a small number of Macaroni Penguins — a real treat for keen birders, since spotting both Rockhopper types in one location is rare. You'll also find up to 100 sea lions resting close by, making this one of the most wildlife-dense tours we offer.

3. Kelp Point — Elephant Seals & Wildflowers

Elephant seals lounge together on a rocky shore, basking in a moment of tranquil rest.

Tour length: up to 6 hours | Travel time: approx. 2 hours from Stanley

Kelp Point is home to a growing colony of elephant seals, along with a variety of ducks and wading birds on the large shallow pond nearby. En route, you'll pass the beautiful white sand beach at Pleasant Roads, where a small breeding group of Gentoo Penguins can usually be spotted — we typically stop here on the return journey for photos.

This tour is also one of the best for seeing the Falklands' native wildflowers in bloom, particularly through November and December, adding an extra layer of natural beauty to the trip.

4. Berthas Beach — Gentoo Penguin Colony

Gentoo penguins gather with their chicks at Bertha's Beach, creating a lively and nurturing scene on the grassy landscape.

Tour length: 5 hours

A stunning stretch of coastline home to over 500 Gentoo Penguins, Berthas Beach combines dramatic scenery with an up-close penguin colony experience. It's a slightly shorter tour than our full-day trips, making it a great option if you're short on time but still want a memorable wildlife encounter.

5. Argentine Cemetery History Tour

Rows of white crosses stand solemnly in the Argentine Cemetery on the Falkland Islands, a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives during the 1982 conflict.

Tour length: 5 hours

For a change of pace, our history tour takes you to the Argentine Cemetery, offering insight into the islands' history and the 1982 conflict. It's a moving and educational addition to your trip, giving context to the islands beyond their incredible wildlife.

What's Included on Our Long Tours

All of our full-length tours (6-hour and 5-hour trips) include:

• Lunch packs and drinks

• An experienced local guide with great stories along the way

• A fun, relaxed atmosphere — this is about good times as much as great wildlife

Plan a Full Week in the Falklands

With five distinct tours — Volunteer Point, Cape Bougainville, Kelp Point, Berthas Beach and the Argentine Cemetery — you've got enough to comfortably fill a week's stay on the islands, mixing big wildlife days with lighter half-day trips.

Suggested week structure:

Day	Tour	Duration
Day 1	Arrival — Airport pickup from Mount Pleasant	—
Day 2	Volunteer Point (King Penguins)	6 hours
Day 3	Rest day / explore Stanley	—
Day 4	Cape Bougainville (Rockhoppers & Sea Lions)	6 hours
Day 5	Kelp Point (Elephant Seals)	6 hours
Day 6	Berthas Beach (Gentoos)	5 hours
Day 7	Argentine Cemetery History Tour	5 hours

Book Your Falkland Islands Wildlife Tour Today

Ready to see King Penguins, Rockhoppers, elephant seals and sea lions up close? Premium Penguin Tours takes care of everything — from your airport pickup at Mount Pleasant to a full week of unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Email Premium Penguin Tours today to arrange your tours and book your trip for the best season: mid-November to end of February.

Falkland Islands penguin tours | King Penguin colony Volunteer Point | Rockhopper Penguins Cape Bougainville | Elephant seals Kelp Point | Gentoo Penguins Berthas Beach | Falklands history tours email us for quotes - info@premiumpenguintours-falklandislands.com Please note: Some of our tours are not available on cruise ship dates and can only be booked on non-cruise ship days. We recommend contacting us early to confirm availability and lock in your preferred dates.