Remote, raw and commanding, South Georgia offers a truly authentic experience. With no roads or airstrips, few developments, and no noise besides the wondrous sounds of nature, South Georgia transports you to a wilderness where few others have ventured.
Known as ‘the Alps in the mid-ocean', South Georgia is a sub-Antarctic island nestled within the southern Atlantic Ocean. It’s part of a collection of inhospitable islands, including the South Sandwich Islands, and it’s an incredible stop on any expedition to Antarctica.
The 170-kilometre-long island is dominated by the rugged, glaciated mountains of the Allardyce Range. With 57% of the 3,755 square kilometre island covered in sparkling glaciers, it’s a spectacular sight.
This natural paradise attracts an array of wildlife in astonishing numbers. Cruise to the wind-whipped beaches to witness six species of penguins gathering in their millions (including a massive colony of King penguins) and an abundance of other seabirds, including petrels, prions and the wandering albatross.
You may even spot the South Georgia Pintail, the only carnivorous duck in the world and the South Georgia pipit, the only Antarctic songbird. Both birds are South Georgia’s only two native species.
You won’t have any trouble finding seals, as the island is home to 95% of the world’s southern fur seal population. Each summer, around two million seals flock to the island, and you can see them lounging on the craggy shores.
Head to Drygalski Fjord to find a small rookery of Weddell seals, usually only found on the Antarctic continent. The steep-walled fjord offers spectacular scenery as you observe the fascinating wildlife.
South Georgia also has a plethora of interesting historical sites. Visit Grytviken where you'll find the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the brave Antarctic adventurer who died in January 1922. He’s buried alongside Frank Wild, Shackleton’s courageous second-in-command. You’ll also find the Grytviken Museum and the South Georgia Post Office, where you can post a letter home.
A land of extreme conditions and breathtaking beauty, South Georgia will astound you with its overwhelming wildlife, dazzling glaciated landscapes and fascinating history.
