Falkland Islands (Stanley)
Description
Capital of the Falklands since 1845, tiny Stanley lies on the windswept tip of East Falkland Island. The Falklands long served as a way station for ships, particularly whalers, bound to and from Cape Horn. The islands' rigorous environment is immediately apparent: Stanley Harbor is dotted with the hulks of vessels that succumbed to the fierce winds and waves of the South Atlantic. While their strategic location led to important roles in both World Wars, the islands are best remembered as the cause of the 1982 war between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Today, travelers increasingly journey to the islands to view their rich assortment of bird and marine life.
Colorful houses occupy the low rolling moorland bordering Stanley Harbor. Stanley's climate resembles London's - cool and rainy though summer visitors are often blessed with clear, sunny skies.
Note: Stanley is an anchorage port. Guests transfer to shore via ship's tender.
Points of Interest
- Bluff Cove and/or Gentoo Penguin
- Rockhopper Penguin Colony
- Volunteer Point
- Historic Dockyard Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral/Whalebone Arch
- Battlefield Sites
- Kelp Point
- Nature Trek
More about Falkland Islands (Stanley) Points of Interest
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Bluff Cove and/or Gentoo Penguin -
The tiny inlet of Bluff Cove features a Falkland Island museum as well as a privately owned wildlife haven, where you can get up close and personal with hundreds of playful Gentoo penguins.
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Rockhopper Penguin Colony -
The Falkland Islands have some of the largest rockhopper penguin colonies in the world. So unaffected by the presence of humans, you can stand by and watch them hop down to the sea for food.
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Volunteer Point -
Volunteer Point is home to the largest population of king penguins in the Falklands, with a range of low cliffs and sandy and boulder beaches with extensive off shore kelp beds.
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Historic Dockyard Museum -
A set of buildings with themed exhibition areas containing a notable collection of historic and maritime relics including displays from the Falklands War of 1982.
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Christ Church Cathedral/Whalebone Arch -
With a renowned monument constructed by giant blue whale jawbones on its grounds, this turn-of-the-century Anglican cathedral built from stone and brick is a National Treasure.
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Battlefield Sites -
Throughout the island is evidence of the Falkland Islands' 1982 war with Argentina including man-made bunkers, fox holes, discarded clothing, unused munitions, and still-active and clearly marked land mines in the countryside.
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Kelp Point -
The secluded home to a colony of seasonal elephant seals, Kelp Point lies on the eastern edge of East Falkland, approximately 1.5 hours from Stanley One study in the Falkland Island's concluded that harem masters produced as many as 125 pups.
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Nature Trek -
The east end of Stanley Harbor is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including colonies of penguins, sea lions, albatross, ferns, grasses and the national flower, delicate pale maidens.