Polar Cruises king penguins in South Georgia
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South Georgia

South Georgia is a long, narrow sub-Antarctic Island with an incredible amount of wildlife, spectacular scenery, and a fascinating history. It is widely known as the wildlife mecca of the Southern Ocean. If you ever wanted to feel a part of a National Geographic documentary, then this is the place to go!

Wildlife of South Georgia

South Georgia is one of the most wildlife-rich places on Earth, home to staggering populations of seabirds and marine mammals. As you explore its rugged shores, you may encounter:

  • Hundreds of thousands of king penguins covering the beaches in massive colonies
  • Elephant seals and fur seals battling for territory or lounging along the coastline
  • Albatrosses, petrels, and skuas soaring over the island’s dramatic landscapes
  • Whales feeding in the nutrient-rich waters, including humpbacks and southern right whales
View of massive king penguin colony at Salisbury Plain on South Georgia.

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FAQ’s

Can you fly to South Georgia?

South Georgia is only accessible via ship as there are no airports. Most South Georgia cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina stopping at the Falkland Islands en route. It takes a day to sail from Ushuaia to the Falklands and then about two days at sea from the Falklands to South Georgia. 

What type of wildlife will I see?


South Georgia is home to massive king penguin colonies with hundreds of thousands of birds that can be seen all throughout the season. Macaroni, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins also breed here. Seabirds are abundant with 4 species of nesting albatross (wandering, black-browed, grey- headed and light-mantled). The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any flying bird. Southern elephant seals and fur seals may be seen in significant numbers on the beaches of South Georgia, depending on the time of season. 

Do all South Georgia voyages visit Shackleton’s grave?

All South Georgia cruises will have the opportunity to experience islands’ rich history with a visit to Shackleton’s grave, the Grytviken Museum and abandoned whaling stations (conditions permitting). If you’re lucky, your voyage may offer the opportunity to hike the last stretch of Shackleton’s epic crossing from Fortuna Bay to Stromness whaling station, but this cannot be guaranteed in advance. 

What are the landscapes like?

The landscapes feature rugged mountains, green slopes, glaciers flowing to the sea, deep fjords & bays, and low-lying grasslands.