Falkland Islands by Sea: 2026 Cruise & Travel Guide

Last updated: 4 November 2026

The main way to reach the Falkland Islands by sea is on a cruise or expedition ship, usually from Ushuaia in Argentina or as part of a South America itinerary that calls at Stanley. There is no regular passenger ferry or supply ship you can book today. If you want to arrive by sea, you join a ship. If you only need to get there, you fly.

Quick answer

Expedition cruises sail from Ushuaia, Argentina. A typical Falklands-only trip lasts about 10 days.
Larger cruise ships call at Stanley for a day on South America and world itineraries.
There is no scheduled passenger cargo ship. The old mail ships stopped decades ago.
From 1 July 2026 cruise passengers pay a £50 Falklands passenger tax.
The best season is November to February, when the penguins are breeding.

Can you reach the Falklands by sea?

Yes, but only on a cruise or a private yacht. The islands sit in the South Atlantic, east of Patagonia. Ships do supply Stanley with cargo, but none currently sells regular passenger berths.

That was not always so. The RMS Darwin carried up to 30 passengers between Montevideo and Stanley. The crossing took about four days. She was withdrawn in 1971. The cargo ship MV A.E.S. had berths for 18 passengers and made four round trips a year. Today those routes exist only in the archives.

So in 2026 your sea options are expedition ships and mainstream cruise ships. Both are seasonal and run in the southern summer.

Infographic comparing ways to reach the Falkland Islands — The four realistic ways to get to the Falklands in 2026.

Your sea options compared

Opción	Departs from	Longitud habitual	Ideal para
Falklands expedition cruise	Ushuaia, Argentina	About 10 days	Remote islands and wildlife landings
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica	Ushuaia, Argentina	About 3 weeks	A once-in-a-lifetime polar voyage
South America cruise with Stanley call	Buenos Aires, Rio, Santiago and others	1 a 3 semanas	A taste of Stanley on a budget
World or pole-to-pole cruise	Varía	Several weeks	Long voyages without flying
Private yacht	Patagonia or further afield	Varía	Experienced sailors only

Expedition cruises from Ushuaia

Small expedition ships give you the most of the islands. They land by Zodiac on outer islands that big ships never reach.

One example is Antarctica21’s Falklands voyage on the Magellan Explorer. The ship takes a maximum of 96 guests. The trip runs 10 days, round trip from Ushuaia, with two full sea days. Planned stops include New Island, Carcass Island, Saunders Island, Sea Lion Island, Volunteer Point and Stanley. Listed fares start at about US$6,795 per person, sharing, for the 2027–28 season.

Longer voyages add South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. These are often around three weeks. Expect to fly to Ushuaia first, usually via Buenos Aires.

Ship at sea in the South Atlantic on the way to the Falkland Islands — Most sea arrivals in the Falklands are on expedition and cruise ships.

Watch: Volunteer Point king penguins on a cruise call

Cruise calls at Stanley

Many larger cruise ships stop at Stanley on South America and world itineraries. Visitor numbers are high for such a small place. Stanley recorded 65,197 cruise arrivals in 2025–26. About 65,523 are forecast for 2026–27.

Most modern cruise ships cannot berth. The FIPASS pier has a 200-metre berthing face and a 10,000-tonne limit. So you go ashore by tender. Allow at least 90 minutes for disembarkation.

Weather matters. Stanley Harbour closes to cruise ships and tenders when sustained winds reach 30 knots and are rising. Tenders also stop in very poor visibility. Some calls are cancelled on the day, so do not book a cruise just for one Stanley stop.

Stanley port fact	Detail
Passenger tax (from 1 July 2026)	£50 standard; £25 if you spend at least US$15 on private land in Camp
Planned rise (1 July 2027)	£51.50 standard; £25.75 reduced
Berthing	FIPASS, 200 m face, 10,000-tonne limit
Going ashore	Usually by tender; allow 90+ minutes
Wind closure	Sustained 30 knots and rising

Flying instead: the airbridge and LATAM

If you simply need to get there, flying is the practical choice. The RAF airbridge leaves RAF Brize Norton on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. It stops for about two hours in Cape Verde, where you cannot leave the aircraft. You land at Mount Pleasant about 18 hours later. Return flights leave on Tuesdays and Fridays. Bookings go through the Falkland Islands Government Office in London.

LATAM flies from Santiago, Chile, on Saturdays only, via Punta Arenas. The São Paulo service is currently suspended. A £40 departure tax applies when you fly out. Many travellers fly in and then join a ship, or sail in and fly out.

Infographic with six steps to plan a Falkland Islands sea voyage — Six steps to planning a Falklands sea trip.

What you will see

Wildlife is the main draw. Five penguin species are recorded: king, gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic breed here, and macaroni are seen rarely. Volunteer Point is famous for king penguins. Gypsy Cove, near Stanley, has Magellanic penguins. Bluff Cove has a rookery popular with cruise visitors.

Cargo ship deck view at sea, similar to a South Atlantic crossing — Sea days are part of the experience on any Falklands voyage.

Watch: finding penguins on the Falkland Islands

Best time to go

Months	Conditions	Verdict
October	Early spring, penguins arriving	Good, fewer ships
November–February	Breeding season, longest days	Best overall
December–February	Most stable weather	Peak season
March–April	Late season, chicks growing	Quieter, some voyages
May–September	Winter, few or no cruises	Fly only

Consejos

Book expedition ships early. Small ships fill a year or more ahead.
Treat a Stanley call as a bonus. Wind can cancel tenders on the day.
Pack for wind and rain, even in midsummer.
Take strong seasickness remedies. The South Atlantic can be rough.
Check that your insurance covers remote areas and medical evacuation.
If you fly the airbridge, check the latest nationality rules first.

Preguntas frecuentes

Is there a ferry to the Falkland Islands?

No. There is no scheduled passenger ferry or supply ship to the Falklands. You arrive by cruise ship, expedition ship, private yacht or plane.

Where do Falklands cruises leave from?

Most expedition cruises leave from Ushuaia in Argentina. Larger cruise ships call at Stanley on itineraries from ports such as Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

How much is the Falklands cruise passenger tax?

From 1 July 2026 it is £50 per passenger, or £25 if you spend at least US$15 visiting private land in Camp. Both are due to rise 3% on 1 July 2027.

Can big cruise ships dock at Stanley?

Usually not. The FIPASS pier has a 10,000-tonne limit, so most cruise passengers go ashore by tender.

How long is the flight from the UK to the Falklands?

The RAF airbridge from Brize Norton takes about 18 hours, with a two-hour stop in Cape Verde. It departs on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

When is the best time to visit the Falklands?

November to February is best for wildlife, with the most stable weather from December to February.

Want to sail the South Atlantic?

Tell us where you want to go. We will look at freighter and ship options that suit your dates.

Solicita un presupuesto para tu viaje →

Sources: Falkland Islands Tourist Board and visitor guides, Falkland Islands Government maritime guidance, Antarctica21, Journey Latin America, falklands-southatlantic.com archives and MercoPress. Prices and schedules are indicative. Checked November 2026.

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Steve Joury

Asesor de viajes de carga at Cargoholidays

Apasionado de los viajes lentos y del mar. Steve conoce la mayoría de las rutas marítimas y el procedimiento para descubrir nuestro hermoso mundo desde el mar en un barco de contenedores. Ha estado en la mayoría de los viajes desde 7 días de viaje de carga hasta 140 días a bordo.