Visiting the Falkland Islands by cruise ship presents several unique challenges for travellers. Firstly, the islands' remote location in the South Atlantic Ocean means that cruise itineraries often involve long journeys across potentially rough seas, leading to seasickness for some passengers. The region's unpredictable weather conditions, including strong winds and rapid temperature changes, can disrupt scheduled tendering. Additionally, shore excursions and outdoor activities limit the opportunities for exploration.
The percentage of cruise ships unable to tender to the Falkland Islands can vary depending on weather conditions, the size of the vessel, and the time of year. However, providing an exact percentage is challenging as it fluctuates from season to season and even from cruise to cruise. Cruise lines and captains prioritize passenger safety, so if weather conditions or other factors pose a risk, they may opt not to tender. As a result, there's no fixed percentage, but it's not uncommon for some ships to encounter difficulties tendering during specific periods.
Another challenge of visiting the Falkland Islands by cruise ship is the potential for environmental impact. The island's fragile ecosystems, including diverse wildlife populations such as penguins and albatrosses, require careful conservation efforts to protect them from the disturbances associated with increased tourism. Cruise operators must adhere to strict regulations to minimize their environmental impact, including guidelines for waste disposal and wildlife interaction. If you are lucky enough to make it to the Islands
4 Secrets of Visiting The Falkland Islands by Cruise Ship
Wildlife Watching
Visiting The Falkland Islands by Cruise Secret #1:
You may be tempted to register for an excursion on your cruise ship or Viator, but this is unnecessary. When you get off the cruise ship, many tours will be offered to take you by bus to the Gyspy Cove, where there is a Magellan Penguin Rookery. The standard cost is USD 20.
While you must take the specific bus from the tour company where you purchased your ticket, you can return on any bus and stay as long as you like. It is an easy walk around the rookery. If you are early enough, walk the extra hour out to the other end of the bay to see Gentoo Penguins and perhaps other species.
Depending on your interests, some excursions that you may wish to purchase include:
- Penguin Colonies: Embark on guided tours to nearby penguin colonies, including Gentoo, Magellanic, and Rockhopper penguins, for up-close encounters with these charismatic birds.
- Birdwatching: Explore the diverse birdlife of the Falkland Islands, with opportunities to spot albatrosses, cormorants, petrels, and other seabirds in their natural habitats.
- Seal and Sea Lion Viewing: Witness colonies of fur seals and sea lions basking on rocky shores or swimming in coastal waters.
- Sheep Farm Visits: Gain insight into the islands' agricultural heritage with visits to traditional sheep farms, where you can observe sheep shearing demonstrations and learn about wool production.
The unpredictability of weather in the South Atlantic Ocean means that cruise itineraries to the Falkland Islands are subject to change at short notice. Passengers may be disappointed if their scheduled port call is cancelled due to unfavourable conditions, depriving them of the opportunity to explore the islands' unique landscapes and wildlife.
For some travellers, the prospect of being unable to tender to the Falkland Islands may be a source of frustration, mainly if the visit was a highlight of their cruise itinerary. Cruise lines often try to mitigate the impact of tendering challenges by providing alternative activities or compensatory measures for affected passengers. However, the disappointment of missing out on a planned destination can still be significant.
Tendering Process and Preparation
Tendering poses a significant challenge for cruise passengers visiting the Falkland Islands. Due to the islands' limited docking infrastructure, most cruise ships must anchor offshore and transport passengers to shore via smaller boats known as tenders. However, adverse weather conditions, including high winds and rough seas, can sometimes make tendering unsafe or even impossible.
Ultimately, while tendering difficulties are a recognized challenge of visiting the Falkland Islands by cruise ship, they are part and parcel of exploring remote and less-developed destinations. Passengers must remain flexible and understanding, recognizing that safety considerations must always take precedence, even if it means forgoing the chance to set foot on these captivating islands.
Duration of Tendering
- Variable Timing: Tendering duration can vary widely based on factors like sea conditions, tender boat capacity, and the efficiency of the tendering operation.
- Typical Range: It can take passengers anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to be transported from the cruise ship to the shore and vice versa.
- Possible Delays: Delays may occur due to adverse weather, logistical challenges, or a high volume of passengers needing to tender.
- Visiting The Falkland Islands by Cruise Secret #2: Get your tender ticket as soon as possible. Wait times are often one to one and a half hours.
Tips for Passengers
- Don't Wait: We usually wait until most people have disembarked, which is a big mistake. This means we have about three hours less time on the island.
- Be Patient: Understand that tendering is a process that requires time and coordination, so patience is vital.
- Follow Instructions: Pay close attention to announcements and instructions from the ship's crew regarding tendering procedures and departure times.
- Plan Ahead: Be prepared for potential delays by factoring extra time into your shore excursion plans.
- Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for potentially wet and windy conditions, especially when boarding and disembarking the tender boats.
- Be Prepared: You may have to wait up to another hour and a half in line to get a tender back to the cruise ship.
- Visiting The Falkland Islands by Cruise Secret #3: Don't wait in line for your tender to return. Go get a coffee.
Exploring Stanley Secrets
- Visiting The Falkland Islands by Cruise Secret #4: Visit the Information Store. This is the place to wait and browse before getting in line to return. Also, purchase your postcards with stamps. These are the best prices in town. There are a couple of tables and chairs for you to write out your cards and drop them in the mailbox just outside while waiting for the return lines to diminish.
- Falkland Islands Museum: Discover the islands' rich history and culture through exhibits on maritime heritage, military history, and natural history.
- Christ Church Cathedral: Visit the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, known for its iconic whalebone arch.
- Stanley Harbor: Stroll along the waterfront, lined with colourful buildings and fishing boats.
- Falkland Islands Government House: Admire the colonial architecture of the Governor's official residence of the Falkland Islands.
- Local Shops and Cafés: Browse quaint shops selling souvenirs, woollens, and locally made crafts, and savour traditional Falkland Islands cuisine at cozy cafés. You can also get a great coffee at the grocery store cafe.
The Falklands War
If you are a history buff, an excursion focusing on the war will be informative and provide a different perspective from those living on the Island.
The Falklands War, fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom, lasted from April 2 to June 14, 1982. The conflict arose over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), a remote British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean that Argentina also claims as its own. Tensions between the two nations had simmered for years, fueled by territorial disputes and nationalist sentiments.
On April 2, 1982, Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands, swiftly occupying the territory and prompting a military response from the UK. In response to the Argentine invasion, the British government dispatched a task force, including naval vessels, troops, and aircraft, to retake the islands. The ensuing conflict saw intense naval battles, aerial engagements, and ground combat as British forces launched amphibious landings on the islands.
British forces recaptured the Falkland Islands despite initial setbacks and challenges, including losing ships such as the HMS Sheffield and the HMS Ardent. The war concluded on June 14, 1982, when Argentine troops surrendered, effectively ending the conflict and reaffirming British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
The war's outcome solidified the island's status as a British Overseas Territory and had lasting political, military, and diplomatic ramifications for Argentina and the UK.
Suggest potential Falkland visitors be alerted to possibility of worsened weather conditions requiring EARLY RETURN to their vessel.
A Falklands resident had picked me up and, as we were riding in his car, a public service radio announcement came on, directing ALL Ryndam pax ashore to return by tender IMMEDIATELY because of deteriorating weather conditions.
If my host’s car radio had NOT been on….it could have been an expensive flight to the S American mainland!
Wow. I hadn’t even thought of that as a possibility. Thanks for sharing and so glad you made it back in time.