The Wild Masterpiece of the Far South
South Georgia Island
King penguin colonies, Shackleton's grave and towering Antarctic glaciers stretching toward every shore.
Wildlife, whaling stations and white-capped mountains
What makes South Georgia unforgettable
Once the centre of the Southern Ocean whaling industry, South Georgia's historic whaling stations are now surrounded by king penguins by the thousand. The island is the final resting place of renowned Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, whose grave sits in the small cemetery in Grytviken. The area also functions as the island's administrative base and the formal entry point for all visiting ships. Fortunately, modern vessels exploring the region come equipped with ice-breaking hulls and luxuriously warm cabins.
Over 300,000 king penguins in a single colony
One of the richest wildlife ecosystems on Earth
Dramatic glaciers, mountains and remote coastlines
Walk in the footsteps of Shackleton
Rare, remote and deeply immersive
Unique locations
Destinations that will define your South Georgia journey
One of the most isolated islands on Earth and uninhabited by humans, South Georgia has become one of the world’s best places for wildlife spotting. With penguins, sea birds, elephant seals and whales, your cruise to the island is a safari at sea.
Salisbury Plain
One of the island’s most impressive king penguin colonies, Salisbury Plain is home to an estimated 250,000 birds. Zodiac landings are onto a beach blanketed entirely by penguins and elephant seals in every direction. The sound and scale are immediately overwhelming, especially considering visitor numbers here are limited. Only a maximum of 100 visitors are allowed on shore at a time.
Salisbury Plain
One of the island’s most impressive king penguin colonies, Salisbury Plain is home to an estimated 250,000 birds. Zodiac landings are onto a beach blanketed entirely by penguins and elephant seals in every direction. The sound and scale are immediately overwhelming, especially considering visitor numbers here are limited. Only a maximum of 100 visitors are allowed on shore at a time.
When to go
South Georgia Island throughout the season
Although just five months long, the cruising season to the South Georgia Islands brings a rapid shift in landscapes, daylight and animal behaviours.
King penguin chicks from the previous year are still plodding around in their brown downy plumage, as the adults are returning and beginning the next courtship season. Elephant seal bulls are establishing their territories on South Georgia’s beaches, which means dramatic confrontations between males during the first weeks of the season.
Expeditions
Find Your South Georgia Expedition
A handpicked selection of extraordinary expeditions to the edge of the world.
Your questions answered
FAQs about South Georgia Island
If your question is not listed here, please allow us to assist you personally by contacting our team.
No. South Georgia is actually a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, north of the Antarctic Convergence. It’s about 1,700km east of the South American mainland. It doesn’t sit on the Antarctic continent and sits further north than the Antarctic Peninsula. As the journey to the island is lengthy, most voyages that include South Georgia with Antarctica tend to be longer.
From the Falkland Islands, South Georgia is approximately 36 to 48 hours of open-ocean sailing. The crossing can be rough. From the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing time depends on the specific departure point and weather conditions, typically three to five days.
Yes. Grytviken is the standard entry point for all visiting ships. The cemetery is a short walk from the Zodiac landing and is open to visitors. A tradition has developed of raising a glass of whisky at the grave; some ships provide this as part of the Grytviken visit.
Yes. Access is managed by GSGSSI permit, and some sites are subject to seasonal restrictions to protect nesting wildlife. The expedition team manages all site access and updates the programme as conditions and regulations dictate.
South Georgia, one of the most isolated islands on earth, sits at about 54.4°S and is located about 1,300 km from the Antarctic Peninsula. To the west, the nearest landmass is the Falkland Islands about 1,700km away. Getting there is about a two-day journey by sea.
There is no permanent population on South Georgia, but there are hundreds of thousands of king, macaroni and gentoo penguins that call the island home.
While warmer than the Antarctic Peninsula, coming from Australia, the weather will be cold and harsh. Average temperatures during the summer months sit around 2°C-9°C. However, the days here are very long; December days average to about 17 hours.
Talk with a specialist
A conversation, not a commitment
Book a no-obligation discovery call and we’ll help you understand how South Georgia fits into your wider journey and whether it’s the right inclusion for what you’re looking to experience.