Falklands: Berthas Beach penguins & Stanley tour with guide

Summary

Walk white sands with penguins & discover Stanley’s quiet stories

You’ll walk windswept Berthas Beach alongside curious penguins, sip coffee as seabirds call nearby, and explore Stanley’s landmarks with a local guide who knows every story. With pickup included and time for snacks along the way, it’s an honest glimpse into Falklands life you’ll remember long after leaving.

What’s the experience like?

The day didn’t start exactly as planned — I forgot my gloves in the rush to get out the door, and the wind in Stanley doesn’t really care if you’re prepared or not. Our guide, Tomás, just grinned and handed me an extra pair from his backpack. “Happens all the time,” he said, which made me feel less like a rookie. The drive out of Stanley was quieter than I expected; just the hum of the van and that endless stretch of open land, low clouds hanging over everything.

Berthas Beach isn’t flashy — it’s this long sweep of white sand that feels almost too big for the handful of us there. The first thing I noticed was the smell: salty air mixed with something earthy, maybe seaweed? And then suddenly there they were — Magellanic penguins waddling around like they owned the place (which I guess they do). One came so close I could hear its little feet slapping on wet sand. Tomás told us about their burrows and how they come back every year; he pointed out a few chicks poking their heads up. I tried to take a photo but ended up just watching instead. Sometimes you forget about your phone when it’s actually good.

We had coffee right there on the beach — instant stuff in paper cups, nothing fancy but somehow perfect with that cold breeze and all those birds around. Someone asked Tomás about life here in winter and he shrugged, saying you get used to “the sideways rain.” He showed us how to spot dolphin gulls (red beaks, easy to remember) and told a story about a sheep getting stuck on the beach once — everyone laughed except maybe the sheep.

Back in Stanley we did a slow loop past the whale bone arch and government house. The cathedral looked almost out of place against all that sky. There was this moment where everything felt very still — no traffic, just flags moving in the wind and someone walking their dog by the memorial. It’s strange how quiet it can be here, even with history everywhere you look. I still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Stanley and Penguin Colony Tour

• Tour Stanley with stops
• Visit penguin colony and beach
• Tour Stanley landmarks

Top questions

How close can you get to penguins at Berthas Beach?

You can view penguins up close in their natural habitat at Berthas Beach during this tour.

Is pickup included for this Falklands tour?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your day trip experience.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

The tour includes snacks as well as coffee or tea for participants.

Is this tour suitable for families with small children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

What main sights are visited in Stanley?

The tour covers key landmarks such as the whale bone arch, cathedral, liberation memorial, Lady Elizabeth shipwreck, and government house.

Are service animals allowed on this Falklands tour?

Service animals are allowed during this experience.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Stanley, guided visits to Berthas Beach for penguin viewing and local landmarks around town, plus snacks and hot coffee or tea along the way before returning to your starting point.