There’s no doubt the main draw to the Southern Ocean is the Antarctic Peninsula, where guests can step foot on the 7th Continent, see up to three species of penguins, seals, icebergs and glaciers galore. A trip to the Antarctic Peninsula is also the most time and cost efficient way to experience our southern Polar region.

However, if you are taking the time to travel all the way to the tip of South America for an Antarctica cruise, it may be worth it to add in the Falklands and South Georgia to your trip. These sub-Antarctic Islands are nothing short of spectacular and there’s no doubt that by visiting all three destinations you will get the ultimate polar experience!   

Top Reasons to take a Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica trip:

  • Wildlife: By adding in the Falklands & South Georgia you will see more species of penguins, seals, birds and potentially whales. In addition to the gentoo, chinstrap and adelie penguins that are on the Antarctic Peninsula, you may have the chance to see king, rockhopper, macaroni and magellanic penguins. Visit gigantic king penguin colonies with hundreds of thousands of birds in South Georgia. Depending on the time of the season and the voyage, you may also visit the nesting site of the wandering albatross on South Georgia and some of the largest black browed albatross colonies on our planet in West Falklands. Experience beaches littered with elephant or fur seals. 
elephant seal and gentoo penguin in South Georgia
King penguins at Salisbury Plain on South Goergia
  • History: Any voyage to South Georgia will have an added historical element. Learn more about Ernest Shackleton’s epic journey and pay your respects to “The Boss” with a visit to his grave at the Grytviken cemetery. Your voyage may even offer the Shackleton hike from Fortuna Bay to Stromness whaling station or sail near Elephant Island. 
Stromness whaling station on South Georgia
Shackleton hike on South Georgia
Fur seal pups at Stromness South Georgia
  • Culture: Unlike Antarctica and South Georgia, the Falkland Islands have permanent year round residents. Stroll through the quaint village of Stanley and visit the museum, cathedral or a local pub. In some cases you could be invited into a local home for pastries or visit a sheep farm.  
  • Scenery: South Georgia is the most mountainous sub Antarctic Island offering incredible landscapes with soaring peaks, dramatic sea cliffs, glaciers, waterfalls and deep fjords. King penguins can be found strolling on near perfect white sand beaches in the Falklands. 

While there are a lot of bonuses to visiting the Falklands & South South Georgia, these voyages are not for everyone. The old saying of the best places are often the most difficult to access rings true in this case. Due to the distances between locations and no airports in South Georgia, these trips are about 20 days in duration with 7 full days at sea in the open Southern Ocean. A Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica voyage is also not cheap as prices typically start around US $15,000 – $20,000/person.  

If you are interested in seeing the most amount of wildlife, are fascinated by the Shackleton story and have the time & means to afford a longer voyage, we cannot recommend visiting the Falklands & South Georgia Islands enough! We have sailed on voyages to just the Falklands & South Georgia (without Antarctica) in the past and more than half of the guests onboard had already visited Antarctica and wished they booked the longer voyage with all 3 locations the first time around!  

Please get in touch to further discuss your voyage and to find out whether or not a Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica trip will be a good fit for you!