FALKLAND
ISLANDS TRAVEL TIPS
A collection
of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.
The
Falkland Islands are located 560km (350 miles) off the east coast of South
America and consist of two main islands and hundreds of small outlying
islands, amounting to about two and a half million acres (one million
hectares). Stanley, the capital, has pubs, snack bars and restaurants.
The houses on the seafront overlook Stanley Harbour where many different
sea birds (including five species of penguin) can be seen. In good weather,
19th-century sailing ships and wrecks abandoned over the years can be
explored in and around Stanley and Darwin. The inland areas provide opportunities
to observe the varied wildlife in the midst of the Islands’ natural
beauty as well as good fishing. If you plan to travel Falkland Islands,
take a moment to brush up on the travel tips that will help you be more
prepared for travel anywhere in Falkland Islands.
FALKLAND
ISLANDS GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 12,173 sq km (4700 sq miles).
Population: 2,913 (2001).
Population
Density: 0.24 per sq km.
Capital: Stanley. Population: 1,981
Language: English.
Religion: Christian.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. |
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Government: British Overseas Territory since 1833. Not recognised by Argentina, which
considers the Falkland Islands to be part of Argentina. Existing Constitution
adopted in 1985. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally
by Governor Howard Pearce since 2002. The Governor presides over the Executive
Council, the country’s ruling body. The Executive Council consists
of two official members and three elected members. Elections are held
every four years.
GEOGRAPHY: The Falkland Islands are located 560km (350
miles) off the east coast of South America and consist of two main islands
and hundreds of small outlying islands, amounting to approximately 3 million
acres (1.2 million hectares). Generally, the main islands are mountainous,
with low-lying and undulating terrain in the south of East Falkland. The
highest mountain is Mount Usborne at 712m (2312ft).
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FALKLAND ISLANDS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
On arrival in the Falkland Islands you must have
• a
passport valid for a minimum of six months with a current visa if required
• a
return air ticket (or other evidence of preâ??paid onward travel)
• preâ??booked
accommodation
• sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Islands
Visitors are prohibited from obtaining paid employment without first obtaining
a work permit.
For
further information on entry requirements and RAF Tristar ticket services,
you are advised to check with the Falkland Islands Government Office,
14 Broadway, Westminster, London, SW1H OBH; (tel: 020 7222 2542); Website:
http://www.falklands.gov.fk/home.htm.
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GETTING
AROUND FALKLAND ISLANDS
Mount Pleasant International Airport and Stanley are connected by regular
bus service, but transportation outside the two is sporadic and expensive.
The only regular inter-island flights are courtesy of the Falkland Islands
Government Air Service (FIGAS), which flies 10-seat puddlejumpers on demand
to grass airstrips throughout the Falklands. The 14kg (30lb) baggage limit
is strictly enforced.
Boats
for day trips can be chartered in settlements throughout the islands.
Rental cars are available in Stanley, and some camp lodges provide 4WDs
with driver-guides for their guests. Visitors may use their home driver's
licenses for up to 12 months. Driving is on the left.
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FALKLAND
ISLANDS CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION
The importation of items of plant materials and meant and dairy products
may be restricted. For further information please contact the Falkland
Islands Customs and Immigration Department, Tel: +500 27340, Fax: +500
27342, Email: general@customs.gov.fk
More Information
There are other companies that can provide you with transport. Most Hotels
etc. can be contacted directly if it is wished. For more information about
this of the Falkland Islands in general please visit the Falkland Islands
portal at http://www.falklandislands.com/ or the Falkland Islands
Tourism web site at http://www.tourism.org.fk/
General Enquiries
If you require further information please contact the Travel Co-ordinator
at the Falkland Islands Government Office.
Falkland House
14 Broadway
Westminister
London
SW1H 0BH
Tel: 020 7222 2542
Fax: 020 7222 2375
Email: travel@falklands.gov.fk
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FALKLAND ISLANDS COMMUNICATIONS
The Falkland Islands are a long way from anywhere - and we are about 8,000
miles away from the UK where most of our trade is done. As such, good
communications are vitally important.
As well as the Tristar and Lan Chile air-links, the Islands are served
by the shipping company Darwin Shipping which provides a regular service
that takes about four weeks from the South Coast of England to Stanley.
Telecommunications
are provided through a satellite link by Cable and Wireless. For more
information on their worldwide services, please visit www.cw.com or go
to their local site at www.horizon.co.fk where there are links to other
Falkland Island sites as well as a regularly updated webcam so that you
can see what the skies above Stanley are looking like today.
Internally, the strong community spirit of the Islands is reinforced by
the Penguin News and the local radio station - the Falkland Islands Broadcasting
Station (FIBS).
The
Penguin News is our only newspaper; it is published every Friday and is
read by everyone. The current front page and archived past headline news
can be seen at the Penguin News website.
There
is also the Falkland Islands News Network and Mercopress for current information
on the Falkland Islands.
FIBS
is a local radio station with attitude! Its coverage ranges seamlessly
from International Politics to local village gossip - such is life in
the Falkland Islands. There is also the British Forces Broadcasting Station
(BFBS) in the Falklands - more details of this can be found at www.ssvc.com/bfbs/radio/falklands
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FALKLAND ISLANDS BUSINESS PROFILE
Economy: The economy is dominated by fishing and sheep-farming. The poor quality
of the land precludes large scale crop-growing. Productivity in sheep-farming
has increased sharply since the mid-1980s with improved working practices.
However, it is the fishing sector that now accounts for the islands’
much improved economic performance. The industry has grown substantially
since 1982, assisted by the introduction of a licensing system in Falklands
territorial waters. The presence of large quantities of squid, a very
popular dish in several parts of the world, has fuelled an economic boom
and the emergence of a ‘squidocracy’ – a group of individuals
living on the islands who have become extremely wealthy as a result. There
are some concerns about stock depletion, and controls have now been introduced.
Other plans for the Falklands’ economic development have proved
less successful. Restrictions on Antarctic development have undermined
the islands’ hope of deriving benefit from being an en route staging
post. The search for suspected oil and gas reserves began in earnest in
1995 after the signing of an agreement between the British and Argentinians;
test drilling started in 1998 but no viable deposits have yet been located.
However, as long as the squid last, the Falklands economic outlook remains
bright. Despite the improvement in relations with Argentina, trade between
the islands and the mainland is small and most trade is still conducted
with Britain.
Business: Punctuality for meetings is expected. Office hours: 0800-1200, 1300-1630
(Government); 0800-1200, 1300-1700 (Private).
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FALKLAND
ISLANDS SOCIAL PROFILE
Food
& Drink: Almost everything is home-cooked and many traditional
recipes have been handed down through several generations. Food, generally
British in character, includes large ‘camp breakfasts’ and
smoko (tea and coffee with homemade cakes) with lunch and dinner. Local
specialities include lamb, mutton, beef, sea trout, mullet and home-grown
vegetables.
Nightlife: There is a variety of clubs and societies which welcome visitors. There
are several pubs in Stanley, as well as restaurants and cafes.
Social
Conventions: The lifestyle in the Falkland Islands resembles
that of a small English or Scottish village/town and communities on the
Falkland Islands are highly self-contained. The influx of the British
Forces has obviously had an effect on the Islands. More people now visit
the Islands for a variety of reasons (see the Sport & Activities section).
The islanders themselves have benefited from the additional amenities
offered by the Forces. The Government runs a radio station for the islanders
(FIBS), in conjunction with the British Forces Broadcasting Service; this
broadcasts all day on FM and MW. The Forces also run a television network
around the islands, another example of the close links that have built
up between the Islands and the British Forces Government. The population
is very keen to remain under British sovereignty.
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FALKLAND
ISLANDS HEALTH CARE
The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital was opened in 1987 after a fire
destroyed the previous building. The KEMH now has 28 beds, an acute care
wing, a two bed maternity unit and a two bed intensive care unit in addition
to outpatient and community healthcare facilities.
The general practitioner service is operated from the KEMH as well as
a flying doctor service for farm settlements. The Royal Air Force provides
aeromed evacuation to the UK in emergency cases.
Healthcare
services are generally free to all residents
For
more information on the range of services provided, please visit: Health
and Welfare on the Falkland Islands Government website
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FALKLAND ISLANDS CURRENCY
Currency: Falkland Islands Pound (Fl£) and the
British Pound Sterling (£) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations
of £50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of £1 and
2, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.
Currency
exchange: Exchange facilities are available in Stanley and the
Standard Chartered Bank. British Pound Sterling cheques up to £50
from Barclays, Lloyds, Midland and National Westminster banks can be cashed
on production of a valid cheque card. Falklands currency cannot be exchanged
anywhere outside the Islands.
Credit
& debit cards: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are
accepted in the Upland Goose Hotel, the Malvina House Hotel, various shops
and The Falkland Island Travel Service Ltd.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS SHOPPING
Costs tend to be slightly higher as much has to be imported, though smaller
luxury goods may be cheaper. There is a good range of shops in Stanley
selling the same type of goods found in a small town in Britain and a
variety of souvenirs. Sweaters made from pure Falkland Wool and local
art work, coins, stamps and books are also sold. Fresh vegetables are
available all year round but many Islanders are virtually self-sufficient.
Print film is available but it is advisable to bring a supply. Shopping
hours: Shopping hours vary, but shops are generally open Mon-Sun 0830-1800.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS TIPPING
The first thing to remember is that tipping is not compulsory, nor are
there any fixed amounts. The bottom line determining whether and how much
to tip is to ask yourself how much the individual did to make your travels
more enjoyable.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS PEOPLE
To say that the people of the Falklands are British is both an understatement
and at the same time, an over-simplification. Everywhere in the Islands'
capital Stanley, there is evidence of our British roots: pubs, neat gardens
in front of Jubilee Villas, British 'bobbies', red mail boxes, the union
flag outside Government House, street names.
The Falkland
Islands has no recorded evidence of an original indigenous population,
but has experienced a number of waves of settlement and immigration in
its relatively short history. The biggest early influx of British people
came in the 1840s when the importation of a sizeable contingent of Royal
Marines and military pensioners made easier the task of governing what
was at first a polyglot mixture of South American gauchos, shipwrecked
mariners of all nations, sealers, whalers and adventurers. The many members
of the Biggs, Short and Felton families living in the Falklands today
trace their ancestry back as far as seven generations to those early pioneers.
Roddy and
Lily Napier, owners of West Point Island with grandson
Open the
telephone directory and Scottish names are there in plenty : McLeods,
Morrisons, Mackays, McCallums. Many of their ancestors arrived in the
Islands to be shepherds, with the introduction of sheep in the late 1800's.
Ironically it was because of the introduction of sheep that many were
cleared from their native highlands and islands. Maybe it was this rejection
by their native land that caused these hard-working, thrifty and industrious
folk to abandon so much of their own traditions to absorb much of the
horse-centred work and life style of the South American gaucho cattle
herders who preceded them. If Stanley has always been obviously British,
'The Camp' the generic term for everywhere else in the Falklands, has
always had a distinctly South American flavour. Many of the place names
like Rincon Grande, Dos Lomas, Cantera, Tranquilidad, Laguna Isola and
Saladero illustrate this, particularly in East Falklands. Look a little closer at today's Falkland Islands phone book and other
influences come to light. Names like Clausen, Henrickson, Pettersson and
Bernsten represent a once strong Scandinavian presence, descendants of
19th century sailors who jumped ship or were signed off in Stanley after
bruising encounters with Cape Horn.
For many
years the farms looked to Chile when short of labour, but now, while there
are still some Chileans in the Camp, the members today's Chilean community
in the Falklands are more likely to be found in Stanley working in electronics
or other technical callings. Since 1982, of course, the Islands have had a much larger British military
presence, with some two thousand souls living at the Mount Pleasant air
base complex. Not all of these are military personnel of course, but civilian
employees of the MOD or contractors responsible for the provision and
maintenance of services at the base. The military for the most part rotate
every four months, but the civilians, many of whom hail either from Glasgow
in Scotland or from the tiny Atlantic Ocean island of St. Helena form
a much more permanent community.
Given chronic
unemployment on St.Helena for many years, an increasing number of the
'saints' as they are known, have in recent years opted to leave the warmth
of their island home for better job prospects and a more secure future
in the windier and cooler Falklands. Over time some have drifted from
the relative bleakness of the Mount Pleasant air base to live and work
in Stanley, where they are beginning to integrate fully into Falklands
society. With the Islands wealth relying since the mid 1980's on the efforts
of Spanish, Chilean, Korean and Japanese fishermen rather than sheep farmers,
Stanley has once again returned to its historical roots as a cosmopolitan
port in whose streets and pubs many different languages may be heard.
While remaining true to their own British traditions and institutions,
this cultural diversity is welcomed by the majority of the Islands' population,
which may always have been isolated, but has never been insular.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Climate: Cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy,
humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall
is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and
February, but does not accumulate
Clothing: Casual clothing is the order in the Falkland
Islands. Travellers should bring clothes similar to those worn in Britain
in the spring. Particularly important are a windproof jacket or anorak
with a hood or hat and a stout pair of walking boots or shoes, as you
may have to cross some rough ground to see the best wildlife. Suntan lotion
and lipsalve are essential when spending time outdoors in the remarkably
clear, unpolluted air. Shoes or slippers for indoor use are also useful.
Essentials to bring:
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses with protection against ultraviolet rays.
• Amenities/Toiletries. Such items are not usually provided in the
hotels, lodges and Bed and Breakfast’s so best to bring your own.
These items however, can be purchased at shops in Stanley but are generally
more expensive than in the USA and United Kingdom.
• The only accommodation with in-room hairdryers is the Malvina
House Hotel in Stanley.
• Binoculars always enhance wildlife watching, a lightweight, compact
pair would be ideal.
• Camera Film can be purchased at shops in Stanley but again more
expensive than what you can get at home. Remember to bring plenty. Slide
film cannot be purchased in the Falkland Islands.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Walking tours: Stanley’s history is closely associated
with the days when great sailing ships and early steam vessels called
into port on their journeys around Cape Horn. A self-guided Maritime History
Trail has been set up in the capital. A half-day trail leads from Stanley
to Cape Pembroke, offering an interesting introduction to the Falkland
Islands’ birdlife. For further information and a copy of the Trail
Guide, contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses
section).
Battlefield
tours: Trips to several of the Battlefield sites associated with
the 1982 conflict (including Wireless Ridge, Mount Tumbledown and Sapper
Hill) can be arranged.
Wildlife: Migratory species, such as penguins, arrive to breed in September and
depart late March/early April. The young are born and reared in the islands
throughout the southern summer.
Boat
trips: Tours around Stanley Harbour in an inflatable craft, as
well as various types of fishing tours are available. A number of lodges
have motor boats for taking guests to view wildlife and places of interest.
Tours around Kidney Island and Sparrow Cove can also be arranged. South
Atlantic Marine Services Ltd can provide further information (tel: 21145;
fax: 22674; e-mail: sams@horizon.co.fk).
Fishing: The sea trout season runs from September to the end of April, but September
to October and mid-March to mid-April are acknowledged as best for encountering
good runs of sea trout. Falklands Mullet is available throughout the period.
A licence costing £10 per annum is required. It is obtainable from
the Stanley Post Office and a log book is issued with it which needs to
be returned to the Fisheries Department before departure. Visitors are
advised that a catch and return policy applies, that barbless hooks are
used and that 12 is the maximum number of fish allowed to be taken. The
best locations in West Falkland are Warrah and Chartres, while in East
Falkland, San Carlos and Murrel are notable.
Golf: There are facilities at Darwin Lodge on Darwin, and at the following
courses: Fox Bay, Goose Green, Hill Cove, Port Howard and
Stanley.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS TIME ZONE
Standard Time is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-4).
Falkland Islands operate Summer Time from the the first Sunday in September
to the third Sunday in April.
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