Despite being on one of the Falklands 2 largest islands, namely West Falkland, Hill Cove was, amazingly, one of the most remote places I visited across this archipelago… and that’s saying something!
Far off the beaten Penguin Track, as the classic tourist trail is known in these islands, Hill Cove is a far more traditional spot, an area that has supported a small community of sheep farmers for centuries.
This still continues, but is increasingly supported by an element of tourism, which means visiting here will give you a unique insight into authentic Falklander life “in camp” – which is what anywhere outside of Stanley is called in these here parts!
So if you’re keen to get away from the few crowds there are, even in the Falklands, and get to experience a real slice of local life and amazing wildlife, then Hill Cove is absolutely the spot!
Here’s my travel guide to this unique destination…
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Why Visit Hill Cove?
Located on the north coast of West Falkland, Hill Cove and nearby Shallow Bay offer stunning views, a slice of authentic Falkland farming life and some amazing wildlife encounters.
From the settlement itself, where all the accommodation options are, as well as the FIGAS landing strip, you can also enjoy beautiful views across to Pebble, Keppel and Saunders Island in the north and the hills of the Hornby Range in the south.
One of the most relaxed places I’ve ever been in my life!, the day and hours tick by here in almost absolute silence, save for a few bleating sheep, the lapping of the sea and, of course, the Falkland wind!
Walking around the area is likely to be an adventure where you won’t encounter a single soul (save for a few dogs, sheep and horses!) and yet the views stretch for miles in any direction; I honestly can’t think of another place I’ve been that seems so expansive and uncrowded!
Behind Hill Cove, the 700m Mount Adam looms overhead, so make it up to the pass here and you’ll be rewarded with more incredible views!
Otherwise comb the coastline for fossils, trout fish in the Sound River, horse ride at Shallow Bay Cottage or head to the famous Forest – the Falkland’s only patch of trees!
Coming from the UK, I’d describe this forest as a copse at best!, but after not spotting another tree across the whole of the Falklands, I quickly realised how special this little patch of them is!
And aside from all this, Hill Cove also boasts amazing access to the remote Penguin Point, situated at the very tip of the land, adjacent to Byron Sound.
Wildlife excursions here are once in a lifetime opportunities, with penguins and albatross nesting metres away from you in a totally unspoilt location.
How to Get There?
A 60 minute plane ride from Stanley with the local FIGAS service – a domestic flight and freight service that connects the Falkland islands – can easily get you to Hill Cove, although you’ll normally make a few stops at other islands on the way.
You should book these flights in advance and expect to pay around £70 one way.
Learn more about how to book, pay and plan your FIGAS journeys across the Falklands in this article I wrote about flying to and around the islands.
In general, at least 1 FIGAS plane a day in the spring and summer arrive and depart from the Hill Cove landing strip, mostly taking passengers (and animals!) to and from Stanley, as well as other nearby islands such as Keppel and Saunders.
Where to Stay at Hill Cove?
There’s 3 places to stay on Hill Cove.
All are within the settlement, which is a short drive on a gravelled road from the FIGAS landing strip.
The first is Hill Cove 3 C’s, a large self-catering accommodation unit run by Karen and Myles Lee. Call 52918 or email [email protected] to book.
The second place is Shall Bay Cottage, another self-catering spot. This is run by Dae and Paul Peck and can be booked by calling 41007 or emailing [email protected].
Finally, the third accommodation option in Hill Cove, and the spot where I stayed, is called Boxwood Pod.
This is a fully catered or self-catered cosy spot run by Peter and Shelley Nightingale and I absolutely loved it!
The Falkland’s first glamping option, this boutique wooden pod sleeps up 3 in the bedroom and has fold out sofa options in the lounge for more!
Welcoming, warm and super cute, Boxwood Pod is perched right on the edge of the coast, with the mountains of the Hornby Range sitting dramatically behind.
It’s just a few minutes walk to other nearby buildings from Boxwood Pod, but feels wonderfully secluded, quiet and private as result.
With everything you could need found here, including a fully equipped kitchenette, dining area and table, plus a bathroom and shower, this was the most amazing place to retreat from the world and truly relax – not least thanks to the lack of wifi.
Talk about off-grid!
While Shelley had prepared dinner for me in the main house, breakfast was found, all ready, in the fridge of the Pod, which meant I could savour the morning in complete solitude amidst the wildness and rawness of the dramatic landscape here – bliss!
Despite a storm blowing in during the night, I was so cosy and warm in the Pod it really felt like a safe haven!
On more pleasant days however, there is a little porch and set of chairs, where you can sit out to enjoy the views and the sunshine!
Highly recommended for those looking to get away, you can book Boxwood Pod via their website.
How to Get Around Hill Cove?
After you’ve been picked up from the landing strip by your accommodation hosts, you can easily walk around Hill Cove, checking out the forest and the coastline on foot.
If, however, you want to venture across to Penguin Point, which you absolutely should by the way, then taking a tour with Perter Nightingale really is the way to go!
With permission from land owners, Peter can arrange some amazing full days tours for you across West Falkland.
Where he took me, and where I have to recommend, is beyond West Lagoon Farm and across Dunbar to what felt like the end of the earth!
And in a way, it was!
Gazing out to sea, there wasn’t much beyond this dramatic point, except for West Point Island, the Jason Islands and then the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean all the way until you reach South America!
Things to See and Do on Hill Cove
Relaxing in and around the settlement is the main thing to do here, along with soaking up the quiet farming life, enjoying the stand-out views and experiencing the fishing and the Falklands’ largest forest!
Hiking up the Hornby Range is also a great option if you’re looking to work up an appetite, otherwise I really recommend heading out with Peter to enjoy one of his amazing tours.
You can learn more about them via his website, but if my trip to Penguin Point was anything to go by, they’ll all be incredible!
Penguin Point
Driving for about 2 hours from the Hill Cove settlement, first along a gravel road, then increasingly along 4wd tracks and finally just across fields, we pass 2 huge farms that Peter tells me are some 70,200 acres big and contain over 4000 sheep!
I also learn about the fascinating personal histories of people who have lived here all their lives, including Peter, and who know this land and its stories like the back of their hand.
After driving past huge views for hours and not seeing a soul (apart from some wading Night Herons and Oyster Catchers by a shallow lagoon), we come to Grave Cove and learn about the sealers’ bodies discovered here.
After a quick flask of tea and hunk of cake (this is the Falklands after all!), we begin a hike up above the beach to Penguin Point to spot the mighty albatross.
This is one of only a couple of places where they nest in the Falklands and I’m lucky enough to visit during breeding season.
We watch these majestic white birds for hours – nesting, flying, circling and grooming – before hiking the cliff face further to spot tens of cormorants huddled at the entrance to a massive cave and then a colony of Rockhoppers pairs perched on their cliffside nests.
It was a mesmerising few hours until the wind picked up and chased us back to the 4WD.
From here we wandered down to the white sand beach to spot hundreds upon hundreds of Gentoo Penguins waddling from the sea to their inland nests and back, and gave my camera the final serious work out of the day!
How Long to Spend on Hill Cove?
You need at least 1 night to enjoy an amazing West Falkland tour and to experience Boxwood Pod!
If you’re looking to head elsewhere on West Falkland – perhaps to Port Howard or to Fox Bay to see some of the 1982 conflict memorials – then allow 2-3 nights in Hill Cove.
Mini Travel Guide to the Falkland Islands
When to Visit the Falklands?
It’s best to visit these islands (including West Falkland) during the spring and summer season, which runs from November to February.
How Long to Spend in the Falklands?
I recommend 7-14 days across the archipelago.
Recommended Falkland Island Tours
If you’re keen to travel to the Falkland Islands, check out these amazing tours!
Top 5 Packing Items for the Falklands
Windproof Coat Merino Base Layers UV Sunglasses 30+ SPF Face Sunscreen British AdapterCheck out my complete packing guide for the Falklands here.
Travel Insurance
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Travel Money
There’s only 1 bank in the Falklands, which is in Stanley, so it pays to have some British cash on you, as well as a debit and credit card.
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, my Wise card works just like a debit card, and it links easily with Google and Apple pay.
I used mine across the Falklands, so grab yours here.
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
So there you have it, my full travel guide visiting Hill Cove in West Falkland.
Hope the info was helpful and I’ve convinced you to visit this stunning spot!
Still have questions about travelling here?
Don’t hesitate to drop them into the comments box below and I’ll get back to you…
My trip to the Falkland Islands was kindly sponsored by Falkland Island tourism but, as always, all views are my own.
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