Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stanley
(population 2000), the islands' capital on East Falkland, is an assemblage of
brightly painted metal-clad houses and a good place to throw down a few pints and listen
to island lore. 'Camp' - as the rest of the islands are known - hosts settlements that
began as company towns (hamlets where shipping could collect wool) and now provide
rustic backcountry lodging and a chance to experience pristine nature and wildlife.
When to Go
The best time to visit is from October to March, when migratory birds (including pen-
guins) and marine mammals return to the beaches and headlands. Cruise ships to South
Georgia and Antarctica run from November through March. The annual sports meetings,
with horse racing, bull riding and sheepdog trials, take place in Stanley between Christ-
mas and New Year, and on East and West Falkland at the end of the shearing season in
late February. Summer never gets truly hot (the maximum high is 24°C; 75°F), but high
winds bring chills.
History
