A working sheep farm since 1849 and a tourist destination since 1986, Pebble Island has plenty to offer its visitors with a range of interests, including 42 bird species, great views with hiking opportunities, and a fascinating war history. |
Located to the north west of the Falklands, and named after the unusual and attractive pebbles found on the beaches, this 38 km/ 24 mile long island is the third largest in the Falklands archipelago. Sandy beaches, moorland and rocky peaks, extensive ponds and wetlands are home to some 42 breeding bird species including Imperial Shags, Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins (and if you’re lucky you might spot the resident Macaroni pair too!). Eight of the Falklands endemic plants grow on the island including the Vanilla Daisy and the Lady’s Slipper.
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The longest beach in the Falklands, Elephant Beach at 6.5 km/4 miles, is only a short walk from the settlement, and is occasionally used as the airstrip for the domestic flights. It makes for a great walk, or if you prefer hills then the chain of three main peaks (the highest being First Mountain at 277 m/909 feet) that form the west end of the island provide an excellent route.
Pebble Island made the headlines during the 1982 conflict when British Forces attacked the island’s Argentine-occupied airstrip. Today, fly-in visitors to Pebble Island land on the same airstrip raided by the SAS in 1982. A small cairn near the airstrip commemorates the action. There is also the memorial to the H.M.S. Coventry which, was bombed and sunk some 18 km/11 miles north of Pebble on 25 May 1982. During this time the residents of Pebble Island were held in what is now Pebble Island Lodge. |
Accommodation & Tours :
Originally the farm manager’s house, the building was renovated into a tourist lodge that serves the needs of its guests and retains the homely atmosphere of a typical Falklands farm house with years of history within its walls. Its six bedrooms and large lounge provide an ideal base from which to explore the island.
Locally sourced and home-grown produce are used whenever possible to produce the meals. The smoko (the Falklands’ name for a morning or afternoon teabreak) selections are varied, delicious and plentiful.
Full day off-road tours offer the chance to visit both the East and West end of the islands, both offering an array of wildlife and historical sites. However, the hiking and photography opportunities are incredible so a drop off service is also available for those that might like to include some walking in their visit, and to take things at their own pace.
Originally the farm manager’s house, the building was renovated into a tourist lodge that serves the needs of its guests and retains the homely atmosphere of a typical Falklands farm house with years of history within its walls. Its six bedrooms and large lounge provide an ideal base from which to explore the island.
Locally sourced and home-grown produce are used whenever possible to produce the meals. The smoko (the Falklands’ name for a morning or afternoon teabreak) selections are varied, delicious and plentiful.
Full day off-road tours offer the chance to visit both the East and West end of the islands, both offering an array of wildlife and historical sites. However, the hiking and photography opportunities are incredible so a drop off service is also available for those that might like to include some walking in their visit, and to take things at their own pace.
The Environment :
To prevent the spread of invasive species and diseases, you are asked to comply with a few simple measures when travelling around the islands: make sure all of your clothing, equipment and luggage is free from soil, animal faeces, seeds, insects and rodents, and scrub your footwear before each visit to a new wildlife site or seabird colony.
To prevent the spread of invasive species and diseases, you are asked to comply with a few simple measures when travelling around the islands: make sure all of your clothing, equipment and luggage is free from soil, animal faeces, seeds, insects and rodents, and scrub your footwear before each visit to a new wildlife site or seabird colony.