Pebble Island is located in the north-west of the Falklands Group. 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.
The eastern end of the island is home to waterfowl and wading-birds including one of the largest concentrations of black-necked swans, with sightings of red shoveler and cinnamon teal.
Black-crowned night-herons, imperial cormorants, rockhopper, gentoo and magellanic penguins inhabit the coast. Peregrine falcons have also been recorded.
To the north of the hills is a beautiful coastline with four species of penguin. Macaroni penguins can be found amongst the rockhoppers. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins are here, along with southern giant petrels. Commerson’s dolphins are regular visitors to the shore.
Spectacular Elephant Beach is the longest beach in the Falklands at 6.4km (4 miles) long. This lovely stretch of white sand is used occasionally as the airstrip.
The western end is hilly, with three main peaks. First Mountain is the highest at 277 metres (909 feet), Middle Peak is 214 metres (704 feet) and Marble Mountain 237 metres (779 feet). This small chain makes an excellent walking route, in one or both directions depending on your level of fitness and how much you want to take in.
Pebble Island was chosen as the position of a forward air base and as such was home to a garrison of Argentine servicemen for most of the war in 1982. You can see evidence of the famous SAS raid on Pebble Airstrip that disabled these planes and also the crash sites of two Argentine Dagger aircraft. There are also memorials to HMS Coventry and the crew of an Argentine Learjet on the Island.
