We were excited to see this article today from yesterday’s Travel + Leisure online magazine, especially after our own experience at this location.

“This Remote Archipelago Has Fewer Than 4,000 Residents—But Millions of Penguins, Seals, and Other Wild Neighbors

The Falkland Islands remain remarkably wild, with enormous penguin colonies, elephant seals, albatrosses, whales, and orcas spread across more than 700 islands. By Evie Carrick. Published on October 2, 2026

Few places remain in their natural state, relatively untouched by development. This rarity makes these destinations even more appealing to travelers seeking pristine landscapes and still-wild wildlife.

One such place, the Falkland Islands, has managed to retain its charm in spite of the increase in travel and globalization, thanks to its remote location in the far South Atlantic. Fewer than 4,000 people live in the archipelago, which has a combined land area about the same size as Connecticut. About 3,000 of them live in the capital city of Stanley, which is really more like a village, with weathered colorful houses, cozy pubs, and the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, where blue whale jawbones mark the entrance.

The real reason most travelers come to Stanley is to witness the wildlife, which is prominent and unbothered by the smattering of humans who share the landscape. Most notable are the huge colonies of penguins, including iconic king penguins, rockhoppers, and gentoos, who share their perch with breeding cormorants, albatrosses, and southern giant petrels.

On the sandy shores of the archipelagio, southern elephant seals, the world’s largest pinnipeds, bask alongside southern sea lions and South American fur seals. Meanwhile, the waters surrounding the islands support dolphins, porpoises, and at least 15 whale species, including sei, humpback, minke, fin, and sperm. Orcas are often spotted, especially in November and December, when they come to hunt for sea lions and elephant seal pups.

At the center of it all is Stanley on East Falkland, which acts as a base camp for travelers and a hub for the over 700 islands that make up the remote archipelago. Popular destinations from Stanley include Sea Lion Island, which is home to elephant seals, sea lions, and orcas, and Saunders Island, which is famous for housing five species of penguins and several birds of prey.

Travelers can hop between the islands by plane—via FIGAS, the Falklands’ domestic airline—or ferry. The only major international airline that services the islands is LATAM Airlines, with weekly connections from Santiago and Punta Arenas, Chile. The Falkland airport, Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), is located around 33 miles southwest of Stanley.

Due to the effort and logistics it takes to visit the Falkland Islands, most people only see the archipelago as part of a cruise, with fewer than 5,000 people visiting by land or air each year. Often travel agents or local tour operators are used to help plan a trip to the islands, with travelers often combining their visit to the Falkland Islands with a trip to Antarctica or Patagonia.

In fact, HX Expeditions is bringing Antarctica departures back to the Falkland Islands for the first time in more than a decade, with MS Fram set to sail from Stanley during the 2028-29 season—a shift that could mean less time in transit and more time exploring Antarctica and South Georgia. The new route also creates an opportunity to experience the Falklands beyond a traditional expedition stop.”

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When I think back to our unbelievable experience of visiting Antarctica, including the Falkland Islands, as mentioned in today’s story in Travel + Leisure online magazine, my heart skips a beat. Of all the incredible places we have visited during our nearly 14 years of full-time world travel, Antarctica remains one of those destinations that is almost impossible to put into words.

What an extraordinary experience it was for wildlife adventurers like us. Antarctica is unlike anywhere else we have ever been. The landscape alone was breathtaking, with enormous glaciers, towering icebergs, snow-covered mountains, and endless stretches of pristine white. But for us, the wildlife was the highlight of the entire expedition.

One of the things that made the experience so over-the-top was boarding zodiac boats twice a day. With only about 10 tourists in each boat, these outings felt incredibly personal. We weren’t simply looking at Antarctica from the deck of a ship. We were actually getting out onto the water and traveling close to the places where penguins, seals, seabirds, and other wildlife lived.

Every time we ventured out, we wondered what we would see. And somehow, we were never disappointed.

There is something magical about sitting in a small Zodiac surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. Sometimes the water was calm and peaceful; other times, the conditions reminded us that Antarctica is a wild and powerful place. We would scan the shoreline, ice floes, and surrounding waters, always hoping to spot another animal or an unexpected scene.

The Falkland Islands were another memorable part of the journey, with their own unique wildlife and landscapes. Experiencing several destinations in one expedition made the trip even more special.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate we were to have experienced Antarctica up close and in such a personal way. We have traveled to countless places and seen an incredible amount of wildlife, but Antarctica stands apart.

Those twice-daily zodiac excursions became some of the most memorable moments of our travels. We always felt a sense of anticipation as we climbed into the boat, wondering what awaited us around the next bend.

Even now, thinking about those days brings back the excitement. Some travel experiences fade a little with time, but I doubt we will ever forget Antarctica.

Today and tomorrow, we are staying in for dinner. I am trying a new ketovore (a combination of keto and carnivore) recipe that I am concocting, and if it turns out to be delicious, we will share it in tomorrow’s post. I always enjoy experimenting with new recipes, especially when I can keep them low in carbohydrates and high in protein.

Today, the holidaymakers will begin leaving Marloth Park, and we are looking forward to seeing our familiar wildlife return in greater numbers. We are also looking forward to a quieter environment, which is something we cherish so much here in the bush.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 4, 2016: