From the Arctic to Antarctica

Investigate the remote beauty of Port Stanley’s coastlines during an exhilarating Zodiac ride. Board your Viking Zodiac and set off from your Expedition ship with a small group of fellow travelers onto the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Admire the picturesque shores of this remote island outpost, celebrated for its biodiversity and rich wildlife, as you glide across the waters. Your Viking specialists will choose the best route based on the weather and water conditions. Your Expedition team will answer any questions you may have along the way, as well as share stories and insights. At the end of your excursion, your Zodiac will return to your ship.

Experience the stunning beauty of the Falkland Islands from the water during a ride in a Special Operations Boat. Board your vessel from the ship’s shell door landing, with assistance by a member of Viking’s Expedition Team. Once securely on board, lines will be untethered, and your thrilling journey will begin. Hold tight for the ride as you whisk across the water, perhaps leaping over the wake of a passing boat. Your highly maneuverable vessel will allow you to reach less accessible locations along the water’s edge. Knowledgeable specialists will be on hand to explain the natural world that surrounds you and the diversity of the local ecosystems. Admire the stunning remote outpost of Port Stanley, home to more sheep than people, as you glide across the water. At the end of your excursion, your Special Operations Boat will return you and your fellow travelers to your ship.

Take to the water and explore your surroundings with a member of your Viking Expedition Team. After a thorough introduction and safety briefing, transfer from your ship to the kayak staging area, where you will receive your paddle and join a fellow traveler in a two-person kayak. Your kayak has been designed to provide a combination of stability and comfort as you paddle your way through the open water. Dressed in a kayak suit and bespoke life jacket for maximum maneuverability, you will be geared up to remain warm and dry during your expedition experience. Immerse yourself in nature as you journey along the coast, reaching less accessible locations along the water’s edge and keeping watch for local wildlife.

Grab your binoculars and go bird-watching on a tour featuring the Falkland Islands’ wildlife and plants. Set out on a short drive to Whalebone Cove, home to the beached ship Lady Elizabethand many species of flora and fauna. Upon arrival, you will receive a tour-specific illustrated checklist and background information on the Falklands’ biodiversity from your naturalist guide. Land birds make up the majority of the wildlife inhabiting the island. Approximately 63 species breed on the island, 16 of which are endemic, such as the ruddy-headed goose. The Falklands are also home to 163 vascular species of plants. Begin your 3½-mile trek over rugged terrain, following your checklist of special points of interest. Keep watch for birds such as the Falkland thrush or Magellanic penguin. Also, be sure to take time to admire the spectacular view of Port Stanley from the cove.

Discover the history and traditions of the Falklands and visit Port Stanley’s landmarks during an informative tour. Meet your guide for a short introduction to the Falklands’ capital before embarking your coach. Drive along Ross Road, Port Stanley’s main thoroughfare, and take in the city’s main highlights, including the 1982 Battle Memorial, the wrecks of old sailing ships and some of the original houses dating back to the mid-19th century. Your guide’s commentary will provide context and further information about the islands’ history, traditions and economy. Head out of town to the harbor to admire the impressive views of the city and its surroundings, with the Lady Elizabeth shipwreck as a backdrop. Return to Port Stanley’s historic dockyards and visit the Falkland Islands Museum to learn more about the history of this rugged land and its remote communities.

Venture to Volunteer Point to meet some of the Falkland Islands’ most distinguished inhabitants, the king penguins. Board a 4x4 vehicle and start your mostly off-road excursion across the rugged landscape. Along the way, you will view several battlefield sites from the 1982 conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Upon arrival at Volunteer Point, disembark for an opportunity to walk along the white-sand beaches and observe the king penguins—easily distinguishable from the accompanying gentoo and Magellanic penguins that also inhabit the beach because of their large size and distinctive markings. Once nearly extinct in the Falklands, today there are around 1,200 king penguins, and Volunteer Point contains most of the islands’ population. Spend time observing these fascinating creatures before boarding your 4x4 and returning to your ship.

Enjoy stunning bird’s-eye views of wildlife-rich Bleaker Island from above and get up close on a 4x4 safari. Drive to Port Stanley Airport and receive a safety briefing before boarding your aircraft—a twin-engine Britten-Norman Islander. Take flight and admire the rugged landscape of the Falklands before arriving at Bleaker Island, which operates as a private sheep farm. Set out in a 4x4 vehicle on an excursion around the island. See the three species of penguins that live here and admire the wild beauty of Sandy Bay, a white-sand beach with crystal clear waters; look for penguins returning from feeding in the sea from its scenic viewpoint. Stop near a large pond on which many fowl thrive, including the silvery grebe, black-necked swan and brown-hooded gull. Conclude your visit with refreshments and homemade cookies before returning to your ship.

Gaze upon a colony of gentoo penguins and learn about life in the Falklands during an off-road 4x4 excursion. From the Jetty Visitors Center, transfer to Newans Station, where you will meet your knowledgeable guides and board your 4x4 for the drive to the nearby farm. Admire the landscape while your driver regales you with stories about island life. At the farm, perched atop the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, is a colony of about 200 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins. Gentoos are easily identifiable by their bright red-orange beaks and white-feather caps. Found along the rocky coastlines, their dense plumage and thick layer of blubber make them well-adapted to thrive in their harsh environment. Enjoy your time observing these captivating creatures, fast diving birds who are able to reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour in pursuit of prey, then return to your ship.

Gain insight on farming in the Falklands during a visit to a traditional sheep farm. Drive to Fitzroy, where upon arrival, you will be greeted by your host before beginning your introduction to sheep farming. Watch as the sheepdogs take center stage, demonstrating their prodigious talents for herding sheep in accordance with their master’s commands. You will then witness a shearing demonstration and learn about the process of wool preparation—from harvesting the fleece to sending it to market—and enjoy an opportunity to handle the wool. Outside, there will be a display of various vehicles used around the farm. End the day with a stop at Settlement Hall for smoko, the traditional name for midmorning or afternoon break. Enjoy a chat with the farm manager over homemade scones with jam and cream, before returning to your ship.

Journey to the coast of East Falkland to visit isolated Seal Bay, where you will seek out native wildlife. Seal Bay is considered one of the most exclusive wildlife destinations in the Falkland Islands, where visitor numbers are carefully limited to help protect its remote coastal environment. Tender from your ship to shore, then travel by 4x4 to Port Louis Farm, where you will be warmly greeted by the owners. Gain insight into this isolated corner of the archipelago, then set out to discover the array of wildlife that make their homes here. Follow rugged tracks to a rockhopper penguin colony, where you may also spot the distinctive macaroni penguin, then continue to a beach frequented by native birdlife, including logger ducks, kelp geese and more. After a homemade lunch, cap your day with a visit to a gentoo colony, where king penguins and southern sea lions are sometimes seen.