Home

Wiki

Falkland Islands

Complete list of 18 national parks in Falkland Islands

The most southerly of the Falkland Islands, a 1.72 km² island designated a National Nature Reserve in 1965. Owned by the Falkland Islands Government, the island supports large colonies of black-browed

Beauchene Island

A dynamic sandy beach and coastal wetland 40 km south-west of Stanley, designated as one of the Falklands' two Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance. The site encompasses beach, freshwater lakes

Bertha's Beach

A 21 km² island off south-east Lafonia, the southern peninsula of East Falkland, with a National Nature Reserve covering its northern portion. The island is an Important Bird Area supporting Magellani

Bleaker Island

The most northerly point of East Falkland, a working farm with a designated National Nature Reserve at the tip of the peninsula. Dense tussac grass covers the extreme point and provides habitat for sl

Cape Dolphin

A 19 km² privately owned island in the north-west Falklands, kept entirely free of rats and cats since the McGill family settled there in the 1960s. The absence of predators allows exceptional densiti

Carcass Island

One of the Jason Islands group, owned by the Falkland Islands Government as a National Nature Reserve. The island was briefly stocked with sheep between 1967 and 1971, but has since recovered and is m

Elephant Jason Island

A low-lying 3.6 km² tussac island believed to be the largest island in the Falklands never to have been grazed by domestic animals, owing to the difficulty of landing. The island is owned by the Falkl

Flat Jason Island

The largest island of the Jason Islands group at 14 km², owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society as a private nature reserve. Grand Jason has varied terrain of steep cliffs and high plateaux dissec

Grand Jason Island

A sheltered crescent of white sand on the Cape Pembroke peninsula, 11 km from Stanley. The site is the most accessible Magellanic penguin colony from the capital, with birds nesting in underground bur

Gypsy Cove

A kidney-shaped islet 16 km from Stanley, almost entirely cloaked in mature tussac grass. The island is one of the best examples of pristine tussac habitat in the Falklands and is an Important Bird Ar

Kidney Island

The westernmost permanently inhabited island in the Falklands and the largest site managed by Falklands Conservation. The southern half was granted Sanctuary Status in 1993 and designated a National N

New Island

A National Nature Reserve at Chartres on West Falkland, containing the largest area of fachine shrubland habitat in the Falkland Islands. The 2,300-acre reserve is filled with metre-high fachine shrub

Patricia Luxton

The fourth-largest island in the Falklands at 131.6 km², lying north-west of West Falkland. The Neck spit in the north-east hosts one of the most diverse seabird colonies in the archipelago: 11,000 pa

Saunders Island

The southernmost inhabited island of the Falklands and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The 9 km² island supports southern elephant seals (the largest breeding colony in the archipelago),

Sea Lion Island

A private nature reserve owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the most significant seabird sites in the South Atlantic. Steeple Jason's west-facing cliffs host the world's largest col

Steeple Jason Island

Two small tussac-grass islands (North Twin and South Twin) designated as a National Nature Reserve and Key Biodiversity Area. South Twin covers approximately 15 hectares and North Twin approximately 8

The Twins

A headland on the east coast of East Falkland hosting the islands' largest king penguin colony. The white-sand beach at Volunteer Lagoon supports over 1,000 breeding pairs of king penguins alongside g

Volunteer Point

A privately owned 12.55 km² island with the highest sea cliffs in the Falklands, rising to 381 m at Cliff Mountain. Originally called Albatross Island, it hosts approximately 2,000 breeding pairs of b

West Point Island

Falkland Islands National Parks

The most southerly of the Falkland Islands, a 1.72 km² island designated a National Nature Reserve in 1965. Owned by the Falkland Islands Government, the island supports large colonies of black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins, and has the highest known density of striated caracaras in the world (approximately 70 breeding pairs). Visits require permission from the Falkland Islands Executive Council and are very rarely granted.

A dynamic sandy beach and coastal wetland 40 km south-west of Stanley, designated as one of the Falklands' two Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance. The site encompasses beach, freshwater lakes, shallow marine lagoons and tussac islands, supporting breeding gentoo penguins and the endemic Falkland steamer duck. Seventy-seven plant species recorded, including the rare Dusen's moonwort fern.

A 21 km² island off south-east Lafonia, the southern peninsula of East Falkland, with a National Nature Reserve covering its northern portion. The island is an Important Bird Area supporting Magellanic penguins, gentoo penguins, rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatrosses, and striated caracaras. The entire island is free of introduced rats and cats, enabling high densities of ground-nesting seabirds.

The most northerly point of East Falkland, a working farm with a designated National Nature Reserve at the tip of the peninsula. Dense tussac grass covers the extreme point and provides habitat for sleeping southern sea lions. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins breed on the headland, and Swan Pond hosts black-necked swans, Chiloe wigeons, and white-crested grebes. Occasional king penguin visitors have been recorded.

A 19 km² privately owned island in the north-west Falklands, kept entirely free of rats and cats since the McGill family settled there in the 1960s. The absence of predators allows exceptional densities of songbirds including Cobb's wrens, dark-faced ground tyrants, and Magellanic woodpeckers. Gentoo and Magellanic penguin colonies and several freshwater ponds important for waterfowl add to its status as a Key Biodiversity Area.

One of the Jason Islands group, owned by the Falkland Islands Government as a National Nature Reserve. The island was briefly stocked with sheep between 1967 and 1971, but has since recovered and is managed as a wildlife reserve. Named for the southern elephant seals that haul out on its shores. The island supports seabirds typical of the Jason group, including black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins.

A low-lying 3.6 km² tussac island believed to be the largest island in the Falklands never to have been grazed by domestic animals, owing to the difficulty of landing. The island is owned by the Falkland Islands Government and designated a National Nature Reserve. Pristine tussac grassland covers the island and supports exceptional densities of burrowing seabirds. Access requires a permit.

The largest island of the Jason Islands group at 14 km², owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society as a private nature reserve. Grand Jason has varied terrain of steep cliffs and high plateaux dissected by gullies, supporting large colonies of black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins. Together with Steeple Jason, it forms the core of the Jason Islands Key Biodiversity Area.

A sheltered crescent of white sand on the Cape Pembroke peninsula, 11 km from Stanley. The site is the most accessible Magellanic penguin colony from the capital, with birds nesting in underground burrows behind the beach. The surrounding heathland supports Falkland steamer ducks, kelp geese, and Falkland grass wrens. Part of the Cape Pembroke National Nature Reserve.

A kidney-shaped islet 16 km from Stanley, almost entirely cloaked in mature tussac grass. The island is one of the best examples of pristine tussac habitat in the Falklands and is an Important Bird Area supporting large numbers of burrowing seabirds including thin-billed prions, white-chinned petrels, and Magellanic penguins. Access is by permit only with a licensed guide.

The westernmost permanently inhabited island in the Falklands and the largest site managed by Falklands Conservation. The southern half was granted Sanctuary Status in 1993 and designated a National Nature Reserve in 1999. The 22 km² island supports colonies of black-browed albatrosses, rockhopper penguins, and fur seals on dramatic west-facing cliffs. Falklands Conservation acquired the full island following its 2020 merger with the New Island Conservation Trust.

A National Nature Reserve at Chartres on West Falkland, containing the largest area of fachine shrubland habitat in the Falkland Islands. The 2,300-acre reserve is filled with metre-high fachine shrubs set in a matrix of whitegrass and flowering plants, supporting many endemic and rare plant species along with diverse birdlife. Free camping and exploration are available at the millennium picnic area.

The fourth-largest island in the Falklands at 131.6 km², lying north-west of West Falkland. The Neck spit in the north-east hosts one of the most diverse seabird colonies in the archipelago: 11,000 pairs of black-browed albatrosses, 6,900 pairs of rockhopper penguins, 6,700 pairs of gentoo penguins, and 4,200 pairs of Magellanic penguins. Classified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

The southernmost inhabited island of the Falklands and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The 9 km² island supports southern elephant seals (the largest breeding colony in the archipelago), southern sea lions, five penguin species, killer whales, and over 200 bird species. Designated a National Nature Reserve in 2017 and a Ramsar site in 2003. The island's small lodge offers year-round wildlife watching.

A private nature reserve owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the most significant seabird sites in the South Atlantic. Steeple Jason's west-facing cliffs host the world's largest colony of black-browed albatrosses, estimated at over 500,000 birds. Additional breeding species include rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins, giant petrels, and striated caracaras. Access is restricted and requires WCS permission.

Two small tussac-grass islands (North Twin and South Twin) designated as a National Nature Reserve and Key Biodiversity Area. South Twin covers approximately 15 hectares and North Twin approximately 8 hectares. The islands are rodent-free and ungrazed, supporting breeding southern sea lions, southern elephant seals, and significant populations of Cobb's wrens, striated caracaras, and other seabirds. Managed by Falklands Conservation.

A headland on the east coast of East Falkland hosting the islands' largest king penguin colony. The white-sand beach at Volunteer Lagoon supports over 1,000 breeding pairs of king penguins alongside gentoo (3,600 pairs) and Magellanic (2,500 pairs) penguins. Designated a National Nature Reserve in 1968 and classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA FK21) by BirdLife International.

A privately owned 12.55 km² island with the highest sea cliffs in the Falklands, rising to 381 m at Cliff Mountain. Originally called Albatross Island, it hosts approximately 2,000 breeding pairs of black-browed albatrosses alongside rockhopper penguins and imperial cormorants. Classified as an Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area. The island has been kept free of predators and is managed by the resident Napier family as a wildlife reserve.

National Parks in Falkland Islands

Frequently Asked Questions

Top 10 Parks in Falkland Islands

Saunders Island

Sea Lion Island

New Island

Steeple Jason Island

Volunteer Point

West Point Island

Kidney Island

Beauchene Island

Carcass Island

Bleaker Island

Top Parks by Category

Top 10 Parks for Uniqueness in Falkland Islands

Steeple Jason Island

Volunteer Point

Beauchene Island

New Island

Sea Lion Island

Grand Jason Island

Saunders Island

Carcass Island

West Point Island

Kidney Island

All Parks (18)

Saunders Island

Sea Lion Island

New Island

Steeple Jason Island

Volunteer Point

West Point Island

Kidney Island

Beauchene Island

Carcass Island

All Parks A–Z

B

C

E

F

G

K

N

P

S

T

V

W