Falkland Islands - Facts

Falkland Islands FAQs

Pre-Arrival - Boat:  Customs, Immigration and Harbour Authorities require at least 24 hours notice of any vessel’s intended arrival - unless except in an emergency. See the main Formalities page for details.
Pre-Arrival - Crew:  If visas are required, they must be obtained before arrival. Yachts and crews from visa-free countries may stay up to 30 days. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter?  Stanley is the only Port of Entry to and from the Falkland Islands. All vessels must contact Harbour Authorities on VHF Channel 10 or 16 before crossing the Reporting Line which forms the outer limit of Berkeley Sound and Port William.   See the Stanley Port page for more information or click on the anchor symbol in the blue "Explore Country" drop down.
Are fees high to enter by yacht?  There are no customs fees for vessels under 50 registered tons. There is a small harbour dues charge for private yachts.  See Fees for current charges.
What security concerns should I know about? The Falkland Islands are a very safe place to visit. Threats to personal safety and thefts of any items are extremely rare, particularly for visitors to the Islands.  All mines laid in the 1982 war have now been cleared.

Falkland Islands Facts for Sailors

• The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic. The archipelago is composed of two main islands  - East and West Falkland, a dozen smaller inhabited islands and over 450 uninhabited islands. .
• The islands lie about 772 kms (480 miles) northeast of Cape Horn.  Port Stanley is the main town, where most people live, and the rest of the country is called "The Camp".
• The Falklands' traditional role as a convenient stop for reprovisioning has been resuscitated in the last few years by modern yachts, some sailing the classic Cape Horn route, but most being on their way to or from the Straits of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean canals, which are becoming an increasingly popular cruising destination. Visiting boats are still quite rare, however and the welcome is warm.
• Only a few yachts have sufficient time to stop long enough in the Falklands to cruise these wild and windswept islands. Most of the islands can be visited and a glimpse caught of their spectacular wildlife with large colonies of penguins, sea lions, and elephant seals.
• There are plenty of anchorages here protected from the sea, however, protection from the wind is another matter and sometimes it is not possible to disembark.
• The port at Stanley has become the winter base for some of the charter boats plying the South Atlantic. As a result, repair facilities have improved considerably.
• Provisioning is good in Stanley except for fresh fruit and vegetables where supply can be patchy and prices high.
• Yachts visiting an Argentinian port after a visit to the Falkland are likely to encounter difficulties and a fine if permission to visit the islands has not been obtained from the Argentinian authorities first. This permiso is taken very seriously and strictly patrolled.