Best time to visit the Falkland Islands
The stargazing was incredible, but it hadn’t occurred to us that we would see the Aurora Australis in the Falklands.
Most people visit as part of a once in a lifetime trip to Antarctica, so shipping schedules are often what dictate the best times to visit the Falkland Islands. Which means Nov-Mar generally, when the ice breaks up enough to let ships through. For wildlife watching, these are great times. Elephant seal pups are a big attraction in Oct-Nov, and adorable baby penguins are prolific around Dec-Jan. As nature’s needs must, they attract the orcas and other cetaceans for feeding time too. Max temperatures between Dec-Feb are 15-28°C, dipping to between 0-5°C in the southern winter.
Falkland Islands Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
6
13
72
FEB
5
13
51
MAR
5
12
53
APR
3
9
53
MAY
1
7
55
JUN
1
5
49
JUL
0
5
46
AUG
0
5
43
SEP
1
7
37
OCT
2
9
38
NOV
3
11
43
DEC
5
12
64
Our Falkland Islands Vacations
Falkland Islands wildlife tour
10 day Falklands birds and wildlife adventure
From
£2894
10 days
ex flights
Falkland Islands tour, birds and wildlife
A comprehensive Falklands birds and wildlife adventure
From
£4185
15 days
ex flights
Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia cruises
The ultimate Antarctic and South Georgia adventure
From
US $14195 to US $16595
19 days
ex flights
Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia small ship cruises
Water, wilderness & wildlife in breath-taking perfection
From
£6800 to £17820
20 days
ex flights
Antarctica vacation, spirit of Shackleton
Visit the historical sites of past Antarctic explorers
From
US $15999 to US $16299
21 days
ex flights
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica cruise
The Ultimate Antarctica Experience!
From
€10450 to €11950
21 days
ex flights
Antarctica ultimate expedition
Follow the routes of bold & historic explorers to Antarctica
From
£11550
21 days
ex flights
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands luxury cruise
Cruise Antarctica in Luxury - Small ship luxury cruising
From
£8987 to £14900
15 days
ex flights
Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia cruise
Embark on a cruise across the Antarctic Circle and cross the Drake passage
From
US $13995 to US $39395
23 days
ex flights
Falkland Islands cruise in 2020
Discover Falklands' rich history, culture and wildlife.
From
US $4590
10 days
ex flights
2021 Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands cruise
Delve into this in-depth polar expedition across Antarctica.
From
£12990
21 days
ex flights
Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands cruise in 2021
Follow the trail of Sir Ernest Shackleton to Antarctica
From
£13990
21 days
ex flights
South Georgia, Falklands and Antarctica cruise
Witness amazing wildlife & stunning scenery
From
£6875
21 days
ex flights
Antarctica Peninsula, Falklands & South Georgia wildlife vacation
An in-depth exploration of the Antarctic region
From
£13033
23 days
ex flights
Antarctica cruise, In Shackletons Wake
21 Day Antarctic and surrounding islands adventure cruise
From
£10990
21 days
ex flights
South Georgia cruise with Chris Packham
Experience South Georgia with Chris Packham
From
US $10835
14 days
ex flights
MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE
Our top Falkland Islands Vacation
Falkland Islands wildlife tour
10 day Falklands birds and wildlife adventure
From
£2894
10 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Falkland Islands or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Responsible Travel recommends
Mary Curry, from our supplier Adventure Life, on an unusual time in the Falkland Islands:
“I was in the Falklands in March, and people said – why are you here now? Our penguins are all ugly because they’re molting, the elephant seals are all lounging on the beach, they’re really lazy. But March is really the best time to see whales, February and March are fabulous. My colleague was down there in March and she saw whales every single day. She saw a couple of blue whales, all kinds of species. But if you want to see the penguins busy nesting, if you want to see the elephant seals breeding, you want to go in the beginning of the season – October to November.”
“I was in the Falklands in March, and people said – why are you here now? Our penguins are all ugly because they’re molting, the elephant seals are all lounging on the beach, they’re really lazy. But March is really the best time to see whales, February and March are fabulous. My colleague was down there in March and she saw whales every single day. She saw a couple of blue whales, all kinds of species. But if you want to see the penguins busy nesting, if you want to see the elephant seals breeding, you want to go in the beginning of the season – October to November.”
What happens when in the Falklands
Did you know about…?
Elephant seals on Seal Island
On Seal Island, there is a bit of a vicious display by southern elephant seals as they mark their territory in September, October and November. There are moments that can be like a scene from a Greek tragedy, at the beach. At this time, the peak of the breeding season, you can get as many as 1,800 seals on the beach here.
On Seal Island, there is a bit of a vicious display by southern elephant seals as they mark their territory in September, October and November. There are moments that can be like a scene from a Greek tragedy, at the beach. At this time, the peak of the breeding season, you can get as many as 1,800 seals on the beach here.
More about Falkland Islands
A wildlife-rich archipelago, the almost 3,000-strong population is fiercely proud of its island heritage, self sufficiency and conservation efforts....
Every name has a story here, from Stanley, which was named after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, to Sea Lion Island...
We love the array of wildlife on these 700 islands. You won’t get to visit them all, but you will see just about every species on just a handful of them...
With petrels, black-browed albatrosses, and endemics such as Cobb's wren, plus - of course - the penguins, you never tire of bird watching in the Falklands...
The Falklands are the perfect stopover on an Antarctic cruise, being close to the southern tip of Patagonia where most small ship cruises begin...
Our experts give advice about the natural wonders to be seen here, what to pack, how to spend money locally and what to expect on a small ship cruise...
Responsible tourism in the Falkland Islands is all about putting people and penguins first. Conservation and habitat restoration are vital in these parts...
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Falkland Islands] [Aurora Australis: A. Sparrow]
[Mary Curry: Thomas Kelley]
[Elephant Seals Seal Island: Chris Pearson]
- Recently viewed
