Introducing Our Battles & Beaks Tour
Introducing our new Battles & Beaks Tour: A Journey Through History and Nature in the Falklands
Discover the unique intersection of history and wildlife with our new Battles & Beaks Tour. This 5-6 hour excursion combines significant sites from the 1982 Falklands War with up-close encounters with the island’s penguin colonies in their natural habitat. It’s the perfect experience for those interested in the rich past of the Falkland Islands and its vibrant wildlife.
Our tour departs from Stanley, with the first stop at the Mount Harriet war memorial, honouring the bravery of those who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice in a key battle towards the end of the conflict. We then travel to Fitzroy, where we visit solemn memorials and graves and see the sites where British ships Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad were tragically hit, reminders of the bravery and sacrifice of British servicemen. In this one incident 56 British servicemen were killed, and 150 were wounded. The greatest loss of life among British forces in a single incident since World War II. Of the 255 British forces fatalities of the conflict this one incident accounted for one-fifth of them. The Sir Galahad was damaged beyond repair and scuttled with torpedoes by submarine. Sir Tristram survived and was re-built after the war.
As we journey through these historic battlegrounds and former minefields, we’ll also appreciate the beauty of the Falklands landscape that has witnessed so much history.
Heading back towards Stanley, we stop at Yorke Bay, a breathtaking white sand beach that’s home to colonies of gentoo, Magellanic, and usually king penguins. Watching these penguins in their natural environment provides a unique and peaceful pause in the tour, connecting past conflict with the thriving life of today.
Yorke Bay played a significant role in the conflict as it was heavily mined by Argentine forces after their invasion and illegal occupation of the Falklands. Approximately 4,000 anti-vehicle (AV) and 20,000 anti-personnel (AP) mines were laid around the Falkland Islands. These areas were inaccessible for nearly 40 years, fenced off by barbed wire fences and ‘danger mine’ signs. After a decade of demining the Falkland Islands were declared landmine free in 2020.
Yorke Bay, the most significant and poignant, was the last area to be cleared. Hundreds of residents descended upon Yorke Bay as we watched the last mines be blown up and the fence opened. After longingly looking at this stunning beach for decades it was a very emotional day.
The final leg of our tour takes us back into Stanley, where we visit the Liberation Monument, a lasting tribute to freedom, resilience and sacrifice. The monument was funded and built by Falkland Islands residents. It features the names of all 255 British servicemen and 3 civilians who lost their lives in the 74 day conflict. The stones for the back wall and the paving were sourced from Falklands locations significant in the conflict.
To further deepen your understanding, we recommend ending your tour at the Historic Dockyard Museum, where you can explore the 1982 display, offering immersive insights into the events and impacts of the Falklands War.
Tour Details:
Water in recyclable aluminium cans and homemade sandwiches including locally sourced fresh ingredients - including from our garden (elderflower, rhubarb, lettuce).
Hot and cold drinks, including locally brewed beer from Falklands Beerworks*, are included.
We partner with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every booking. Helping to make a difference and go towards offsetting the carbon footprint of the tour.
All excursions are private. We guarantee you will not share a vehicle with others outside of your group. Our 4x4 vehicles comfortably seat 4 passengers (sometimes we can accommodate 5 or 6 passengers in a vehicle).
You’ll travel with a local who loves their home and wants to show it off to you and give you the best experience possible.
The scenery and wildlife of the Falkland Islands continue to take our breath away, visitors are blown away by what they see and experience on our tours.
All our tours are family friendly: kid-friendly food and drink, Falkland Islands themed activity books and colouring pencils, suitable car seats
Travellers must be able to get in/out of a 4x4 vehicle & have a moderate level of physical fitness. Yorke Bay includes walking through sand dunes, if this is not suitable for you then an alternative penguin location is Bertha’s Beach. This is an additional £15 per person for the admission fee.
Duration: 5-6 hours
Price per vehicle: 1 pax: £600, 2 pax: £640, 3 pax: £650, 4 pax: £660, 5 pax: £680
Join us for an experience that weaves together the Falkland Islands’ poignant history and spectacular wildlife on the Battles & Beaks Tour.
