One of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, West Falkland delivers fearless wildlife, a 200,000-acre working sheep station, and unvarnished Falklands War history — all under skies that can swing from sunshine to gale in minutes.
There is no cruise terminal — ships anchor offshore and run tenders or Zodiacs to the Port Howard jetty on the eastern side of West Falkland.
💡 Pro move: Weather and sea conditions can cancel tender operations with no notice. Have a flexible mindset — this is expedition cruising.
West Falkland has no cruise terminal; all ships anchor and use tenders or Zodiacs.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition & luxury lines (Seabourn, Silversea, Lindblad, etc.) | Port Howard Settlement Bay anchorage📍 | Tendered |
| World-cruise ships | Port Howard Settlement Bay anchorage📍 | Tendered |
Every worthwhile experience on West Falkland requires venturing beyond the tiny settlement — most visitors book ship-organized or farm transfers.
A roughly one-hour transfer by 4WD brings you to a Gentoo penguin colony at Gladstone Bay. These animals are habituated to humans and will approach within feet if you sit quietly — one of the most intimate wildlife encounters in the Falklands.
Find Falklands wildlife tours →The only black-browed albatross colony on West Falkland is at Grave Cove (Dunbar). A long but spectacular transfer across open camp reveals nesting albatrosses alongside caracaras and other seabirds.
Find Falklands wildlife tours →This free museum in a Nissen Hut beside Port Howard Lodge holds one of the best personal collections of 1982 war memorabilia outside Stanley: ejector seats from downed aircraft, Argentine uniforms, parachutes, and weapons. The curator's personal recollections make it compelling.
Book West Falkland shore excursions →At 200,000 acres and 42,000+ sheep, Port Howard Farm is the oldest and largest working sheep station on West Falkland. Walk with farm staff to see shearing, wool classing, and the realities of Falklands 'camp' life.
Find farm experience tours →Guided 4WD excursions visit crash sites from the 1982 conflict, where fragments of Argentine and British aircraft still lie scattered across the peat. Stark, atmospheric, and unlike any battlefield tour elsewhere.
Book Falklands history excursions →The tiny Port Howard settlement offers a handful of short walks reachable on foot from the jetty; further exploration requires farm transport.
A short wander through the heart of Port Howard: the Nissen Hut museum, Port Howard Lodge, the farm buildings, the cemetery (where SAS Capt. Gavin Hamilton is buried), and the shoreline where Commerson's dolphins sometimes appear near the jetty.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Follow the all-weather track from the settlement out to the small airstrip and back along the sheltered shore, looking for upland geese, oystercatchers, and the occasional seal haul-out.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for West Falkland Island, Falkland Islands (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F / 13°C | 45°F / 7°C | 14 | 5:04 AM | 9:09 PM |
| Feb | 56°F / 13°C | 46°F / 8°C | 12 | 6:01 AM | 8:21 PM |
| Mar | 53°F / 12°C | 43°F / 6°C | 11 | 6:51 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Apr | 48°F / 9°C | 40°F / 4°C | 12 | 7:43 AM | 6:11 PM |
| May | 44°F / 7°C | 37°F / 3°C | 9 | 8:31 AM | 5:16 PM |
| Jun | 40°F / 4°C | 33°F / 1°C | 10 | 9:04 AM | 4:53 PM |
| Jul | 39°F / 4°C | 32°F / 0°C | 9 | 8:56 AM | 5:11 PM |
| Aug | 41°F / 5°C | 33°F / 1°C | 11 | 8:09 AM | 5:55 PM |
| Sep | 43°F / 6°C | 35°F / 2°C | 10 | 7:02 AM | 6:44 PM |
| Oct | 48°F / 9°C | 37°F / 3°C | 11 | 5:54 AM | 7:34 PM |
| Nov | 52°F / 11°C | 41°F / 5°C | 12 | 4:56 AM | 8:30 PM |
| Dec | 54°F / 12°C | 44°F / 7°C | 14 | 4:34 AM | 9:12 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)