Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 250 nautical miles from the coastline of Patagonia, the Falkland Islands include about 776 small islands as well as two main islands, East Falkland, and West Falkland. Featuring an intriguing landscape, with fjords, sounds, and harbors as well as the 12-mile wide Falkland Sound, most areas here offer clear water and good visibility, as well as depths to around 40 meters. To the south, where flattened islands and shoals abound, deeper channels cut through the ocean floor. Remotely located, and as far south as one can go without actually diving in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands
Diving the Falkland Islands: Highlights and Features
Classified as an important part of the Antarctic Ecozone as well as part of the Antarctic Floristic Kingdom, the Falkland Islands are home to many of the same plant and animal species as those found in Patagonia. There are no less than fourteen species of marine mammals here, including dolphins, sea lions, fur seals, and elephant seals; one elephant seal rookery alone has approximately 500 individuals in residence. More than 60 bird species breed on the islands, and over 227 bird species have been catalogued here. Finally, not only are there five penguin species to admire when you travel to the Falkland Islands, more than sixty percent of the planet's black-browed albatross population comes here to breed.
Smaller life is abundant here as well, both topside and underwater. You'll encounter nudibranchs, isopods, and loads of colorful invertebrates, not to mention plenty of fish and even banded shrimps, as you explore wrecks, pinnacles, and spectacular rock-lined drift dive sites. The islands are surrounded by massive kelp banks. The bull kelp here can grow to be as tall as 40 meters, and stalks can be as much as six to eight inches thick. Be sure to carry a sharp dive knife so you can easily cut through the kelp if necessary.
While it might be tempting to head into deep water, there is no recompression chamber in the Falkland Islands, so maximum depth should be no more than 30 meters. It goes without saying that redundancy is a must, and mixed gases are recommended. Sea temperatures are normally between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, so a dry suit is a necessity. There is a small dive shop primarily used for dive charters in nearby Stanley, but there is no diving infrastructure to date in the Falkland Islands. Dive clubs that visit the islands must be completely self-sufficient, and permission must be obtained to dive any of the many protected wrecks that surround the islands. If you like, you can contact the Falkland Islands' Shallow Marine Survey Group to see whether you can accompany them on one of their expeditions - you'll still need to be self-sufficient, however, they can help you get more from the experience.
Under certain conditions, a deep sea current called the Falklands Drift speeds along at 4 knots, sometimes carrying divers for a distance of over an entire nautical mile. SMB's are a must and careful dive planning cannot be stressed enough.
Tourism has grown steadily in the Falkland Islands, which are now gaining fame as a regular port of call for cruise ships; topside attractions include scenery and wildlife, as you might expect, but you'll also find golf, fishing, and battlefield tours. There are hotel accommodations available in Stanley, and if you want to go further afield, you'll find self-catering cottages in places such as Port San Carlos. Most that dive the Falkland Islands spend over a year carefully planning every detail of the expedition, honing their diving skills for the challenges that lie ahead, and ensuring cameras and other underwater photography components are in top condition. After a long flight and much anticipation, you are sure to enjoy an adventure like no other, should you decide to join the ranks of those who have made the decision to enjoy diving the Falkland Islands.