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
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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]
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