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Are you considering visiting the Falklands this year? We don’t blame you! This amazing group of islands in the Arctic off the South American coast is well-known for its natural beauty, whale watching, Antarctic proximity, penguin sightings, hiking, and fishing.
However, before you book your plane ticket, do a little research beforehand to find out the best time to visit, the cheapest months to visit, and the top things to do during your stay here.
There is so much to love about the Falklands, so knowing the best time to visit ensures you will return home with many memories, good times, and souvenirs for your pals.
We’ll tell you the best time to visit the Falklands, no matter what your itinerary entails. We’ll cover the best time to see penguins, when you should go hiking, and the longest daylight hours.
We will also tell you the least busy and worst times to visit the Falklands. No matter what you need, we are your tour guide that ensures you have the best time possible.
Why You Should Visit the Falklands
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There are so many reasons why the Falklands should be first on your list of top places to travel in 2023! First, you will see incredible marine mammals that are hard to see anywhere else in the world.
The beautiful elephant seal, sea lions, Commerson’s dolphins, killer whales, and Peale’s dolphins are all on full display during your trip to the Falklands. Next, you can catch a glimpse and take a few photos of the playful penguins that wander around the entirety of the islands!
Check out the different breeds, like rockhopper and Magellanic, during your stay here — these birds aren’t even in Antarctica, so you will really be experiencing a one-of-a-kind vacation.
Contact a local tour group, pack a pair of binoculars, and get ready to see over 200 species of unique birds that fly and walk around the Falklands.
Keep an eye out for the infamous Cobb’s wren during your excursion! Birds are also abundant on all of the islands here. The ample trekking and hiking opportunities on the islands are reason enough to come here.
You can walk on the numerous walking paths, go off-road, and trek along the paved highways to view wildlife up close and personal, take photos along the shoreline paths, and reach the top of the peaks to catch far-reaching views over the Antarctic waters.
Lastly, going island-hopping is one of the top reasons to visit the Falklands.
We recommend going to Jackson Island and Saunders Island to get great views of the nearby islands, climb Mt. Richards, and visit the Pole-Evans Family — a remote family of just seven people who have made a life for themselves on this peaceful and quaint island.
Overall Best Time to Visit the Falklands
STANLEY, FALKLAND ISLANDS – FEBRUARY 13, 2015: Jetty used by visitors arriving by sea in Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands/Jeremy Richards/Shutterstock
The best time to visit the Falklands is between October and April. Since the Falklands are located south of the equator, the seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere — this means that their summer is between November and February.
Heading here during this period ensures the warmest weather, longest days, and numerous Arctic ships offering greater planning potential and flexibility. Furthermore, suppose you want to continue with your trip and visit Antarctica.
In that case, you will have to visit the Falklands between November and March to continue through Drake’s Passage. We also love the longer days, warmer weather, and more tourist attractions.
Cheapest Time to Visit the Falklands
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The cheapest time to visit the Falklands is during the transitional period of the summer and fall months. The summer months end in February, and the Fall is between March and May.
We think that going to the Falklands around May and September is the cheapest time to visit, since the weather is the most unpredictable (long periods of heavy rain and wind), the days are shorter.
The tourist season is just ending/beginning (fewer boat crossings and fewer tourist attractions open on the islands).
Least Busy Time to Visit the Falklands
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The least busy time to visit the Falklands is between May and September. The weather is unpredictable, the passage to Antarctica is impossible, the days are shorter, and there are fewer tourist opportunities on the islands.
If you can change your dates slightly, we recommend visiting the Falklands earlier in April. April is the end of the fall season, which proves to be a good time to see penguins, experience longer days, and take part in the trekking trails.
For those who need to come after September, we recommend waiting until October, when the spring season begins. Spring is a good time to visit the Falklands, since you can experience higher temperatures, an abundance of wildlife, and fewer tourists than in the summer.
Worst Time to Visit the Falklands
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The worst time to visit the Falklands is between May and September. The warm weather from the summer and Fall is over.
The winter is starting — this brings shorter days, heavy rainfalls, strong gusts of wind, fewer tourist attractions, and less availability for accommodation, restaurants, etc. Plus, you will not be able to continue to visit Antarctica if you go to the Falklands during this season.
Since many people stop over before heading to Drake’s Passage, not being able to continue on your trip can be a hindrance and potentially a money-waster.
Lastly, the winter provides less of a chance to see famous wildlife, such as penguins, dolphins, whales, and puffins. Since the weather is colder and the days are shorter, tourists may find it difficult to see the flora, fauna, and animals.
Things to Consider
Before you visit, there are a few key things to consider, which include:
- The Falklands features different islands with unique activities. We recommend going to Jason Island to see the famous albatrosses and going to Saunders Island to see The Settlement, climbing Mt. Richards, and taking incredible photos.
- Make sure that you plan your trip around the Antarctic crossing schedule. If you plan to visit Antarctica, you will have to go to the Falklands during the summer months.
- Keep an eye on important events in the Falklands if you want to purchase tickets or avoid higher numbers of tourists. Some of the key dates to keep in mind are the Raft Race in Stanley on January 1st, Falklands Marathon in March, the mid-winter swim in June, and the Ram and Fleece Show in December.
- If you are going to the Falklands to see penguins, we recommend visiting in the summer months. For those who want to avoid throngs of tourists, you can come at the end of the season (March and April) to see Rockhopper and macaroni penguins lay eggs.
- The maximum temperatures in the summer months are as high as 28 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the low temperatures in the winter months are as low as -5 degrees Celsius. The Falklands have a mild climate, meaning you will not need to pack clothes for extremely warm or cold weather.
- Remember that you must book boat trips well in advance if you are visiting during the high season. If you want to go to the nearby islands or continue to Antarctica, booking your trip online ahead of time can ensure departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There are commonly asked questions that you should keep in mind before buying a plane ticket to visit the Falklands:
What is the hottest month in the Falkland Islands?
The hottest month in the Falklands is between December and March. The hottest month of the year is January, with an average temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The average daily temperature between December and March is consistently above 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are the Falkland Islands worth visiting?
The Falklands are definitely worth visiting for people who want to experience incredible nature, view breathtaking scenery, take photos of the unique wildlife, and take a boat to Antarctica.
Since there are so many indoor and outdoor activities to take part in, such as kayaking, boating, hiking, fishing, sailing, trekking, and bird-watching, you will never run out of things to do during your time here.
How warm are the Falklands in summer?
The Falklands are mild all year round, meaning it doesn’t get boiling in the summer or freezing in the winter. During the summer, the average daytime temperature does not reach above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the winter, the average temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the Falklands experience a mild climate that does not experience extreme temperature fluctuations, the average temperature ranges within a 25-degree span.
Is there anything to do in the Falklands?
There are ample activities to do in the Falklands during your trip, no matter what time of year. Suppose you head here during the winter time. In that case, you can experience unspoiled nature, fewer crowds, and a better chance of speaking with the locals.
Be sure to visit the Falklands during the summer months. You will be able to see marine wildlife and mammals, experience longer days, trek along the coast, take boat trips to nearby islands, and take the boat to Antarctica.
The spring season is one of the best times to see the penguins and go hiking with fewer crowds. Plus, if you stay for multiple weeks, you can then take a boat trip to Antarctica during the beginning of the summer season.
In the fall months, you can do all of the outdoor activities and sports before the weather gets colder. If you stay for longer during the Fall months, you can experience the winter weather, get lower hotel prices, and partake in snowsports.
Do they speak English in the Falklands?
The official language spoken in the Falklands is English. Everyone on the island learns and speaks English during school since it is used in daily life and in popular culture. Other languages spoken on the island include Spanish, since some ex-pats are from nearby South American countries.
So, What Is the Best Time to Visit the Falklands?
The best time to visit the Falklands is between October and March. Since this is the summer season, you will be able to partake in all of the outdoor activities, enjoy longer days, take boat trips to the surrounding islands, and continue to Antarctica to complete your trip.
However, suppose you want to have fewer tourists and fewer crowds. In that case, we recommend going to the Falklands during the shoulder seasons. You will still be able to participate in the first/last boat crossings, go hiking, and see the beautiful wildlife.
For those few tourists who want to go to the Falklands to experience solitude and integrate into the culture, winter could be the optimal time to visit the Falklands. So what are you waiting for — book your trip today!