When to visit South Georgia
Hailed as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, South Georgia is bursting with life throughout the cruise season, so choosing when to take your voyage will ultimately depend on what…
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Reasons to go
- An unparalleled wildlife hotspot - the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean - home to some of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife
- Experience some of the most majestic, unspoiled and least visited scenery on earth
- A mecca for photographers, both amateur and professional alike
- A rich history of fascinating characters including sealers, whalers and early explorers from The Heroic Era, including Shackleton
- Vast king penguin colonies numbering over 200,000 individual birds, alongside countless albatross, elephant and fur seals
Our most popular South Georgia cruises
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Wildlife
At the height of the breeding season, there is said to be more wildlife here per square foot than any other place on the planet. South Georgia’s prodigious wildlife includes penguins, birds, whales and seals, and the numbers are absolutely staggering. Their lack of fear of humans also makes them incredibly curious, this is one of the best places in the world to be approached by an inquisitive penguin, or lolloping seal.
Landing sites
The diversity of landing sites on this small island make it one of the more spectacular places to visit in Antarctica. From a colony of 300,000 king penguins at St Andrews Bay, to Gold Harbour where the sun's rays bathe hanging glaciers in to make them glow in yellows and oranges, the scale of opportunities for wildlife spotting and taking in the scenery is unmatched.
This is also one of the richest places for history - the sleepy village of Grytviken protects the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, and you can even hike in the man himself's footsteps on the Shackleton Walk, from Fortuna Bay to Stromness where he raised the alarm in 1916.
Loli says
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On South Georgia we sometimes had a real challenge to find a safe landing place for the zodiacs because the beach was so packed with elephant and fur seals. The quantity of animals is staggering.
Loli Figueroa Polar Specialist
Plan your trip to South Georgia
When to go
The visitor season is limited to late October through to March. During these months the weather is at its more benign, though still highly unpredictable! As a rule, November and March are chillier, but the softer light is favourable for photographers. More important are the nuances among the wildlife:
- November - Battling bull elephant seals at this time make for great drama and photo opportunities
- December - Utter density of animals can make certain landings a real challenge
- January - Prion Island, a favourite for birders due to the albatross, becomes accessible from 7th Jan
Tips on choosing the right voyage
As part of a longer cruise, most trips will also visit the Falklands and the Antarctic Peninsula, however, a select few voyages focus solely on South Georgia. On a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this, finding the right voyage is crucial, so to help you get started, here are a few tips on key areas you should be considering:
- The itinerary: There’s surprising variation between trips of the time actually spent in South Georgia, between 3 - 6 days . Some voyages pass by quickly on their way to the Peninsular or the Falklands, others take advantage of the wealth of landing sites and stay for longer
- Ship size & stability: Given the amount of time you’ll be spending on board ship on the Southern Ocean, carefully choosing the right ship pays real dividends
- Cabin size: For the length of trip it's definitely worth considering a little extra room where you can have some privacy when booking your cabin
- Calibre of staff: If top-notch guides are important to you, there are significant variations between ships in the calibre and staff-to-passenger ratio.
Authentic expedition
Functional vessels with heaps of character, trips aboard these ships feel truly expeditionary. Here, it is all about the quality of the landings, and expertise of the brilliant expedition leaders.
Comfort & adventure
Daily landings and adventurous activities abound, but with the option of coming back to a more luxurious cabin, or your own private balcony.
Luxury & fine dining
The ultimate Antarctic cruises. Bright, spacious cabins, exquisite food, and the highest standard of service throughout.
What our customers think
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South Georgia is really special. The fact that we missed it on our first Antarctic trip is the major reason we went back.
Cindy & Nor Washington February 2018
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The highlights were the Shackleton history and being able to stand on the top of the pass where the trio looked down on the whaling base at Stromness - their destination.
Neill New Zealand November 2017
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South Georgia was simply amazing and quite overwhelming in its abundance of wildlife and history. To have king penguins filled with curiosity and pecking on our boots was unexpected and something we’ll never forget.
Phil & Mickey Australia December 2015
South Georgia Cruises: FAQs
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How long can I spend in South Georgia?
This will very much depend on which voyage you choose, most voyages spend between 3- 5 days exploring South Georgia, while the maximum is 8 days.
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How much luggage am I allowed?
A crucial question for photographers in particular. As ship’s don’t suffer from the same weight limitations as airlines, there are no restrictions once on board the vessel. However, you need to check weight limits on the domestic flights, which are typically only 15-20kg for hold luggage.
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Can my food requirements be catered?
The answer is ‘Yes’. The kitchens on all ships are very experienced at catering for all food requirements, whether you are vegetarian, gluten free, lactose intolerant, or just prefer to avoid certain foods.
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When should I start to plan my trip?
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How much does a cruise to South Georgia cost?
Prices start from around $8,500 per person, but vary markedly depending on the trip, ship, timing of travel and cabin category you choose.
While discounts are rare, those people booking early can take advantage of early booking incentives of up to USD $1,500 per person offered on select trips.
It's a substantial investment, but in well over a decade of helping people experience South Georgia, nobody has ever been remotely disappointed.
Plan your trip
Getting to South Georgia
South Georgia is more challenging to get to than almost any other place on each, there is however a choice of routes for getting to South Georgia.
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South Georgia Island
South Georgia may be a cartographic speck on the map and one of the least visited territories on Earth, but it's a true gem amidst the roiling southern ocean. Spectacular …
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South Georgia Ships
The lack of hotels and limited infrastructure on South Georgia necessitates visitors to be fully self-sufficient. Expedition ships offer both the amenities of a floating base …
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Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?
With over 50 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.