
Best Time to Visit South Georgia Island
South Georgia is bursting with life throughout the cruise season, so choosing when to take your voyage will ultimately depend on what you want to experience on your trip.
Located deep in the Southern Ocean some 870 miles (1400km) from its nearest neighbour and only accessible by ship, South Georgia is more challenging to get to than almost any other place on earth. This isolation makes it only more appealing to the adventurous, and there is a choice of routes for those looking to make it here by expedition cruise ship or even by yacht.
An expedition cruise ship near the king penguin colony at St Andrews Bay
Sailing from the southern Argentinian port of Ushuaia by expedition cruise ship and incorporating visits to the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, this is the traditional way for visitors to visit the island. This great arching loop cherrypicks the highlights of the Southern Ocean and is ranked among one of the world’s great sea journeys. This classic route remains as popular ever. Voyages vary in length between 17–23 days, depending on the time spent in each destination, and operate from late October to the end of the austral summer in March.
Under normal sailing conditions it takes two days to sail from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia, and two days to cross the Scotia Sea from South Georgia to the South Shetland Islands off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula
Concerned about how you'll spend those days at sea on a South Georgia trip?
Swoop Antarctica Expert Paul
Boarding for a fly-sail cruise
Although there is no airport on South Georgia (there simply isn't enough flat land to build a runway), a couple of options exist for fly-sail cruises for those looking to reduce their time at sea.
A small number of departures leave every year from Stanley in the Falkland Islands. These voyages typically take in just the Falklands and South Georgia. Air access to the Falklands is via a weekly scheduled flight with LATAM from Punta Arenas in Chile (airport code PUQ) to Mount Pleasant (airport code MSD), 34 miles (55km) from Stanley. The flight takes 90 minutes and will save you around 36 hours at sea travelling from Ushuaia. On arrival in the Falklands, if you’re booked on a voyage you will be transferred to your waiting ship to set sail.
There is also a twice-weekly direct flight from RAF Brize Norton in the UK. The flights takes around 18 hours, with a short refuelling stop in Cape Verde (passengers are not allowed to disembark here). Civilian passengers may only request seats on these flights directly via the London office of the Falkland Islands Government.
A small number of expedition cruise ships also offer fly-sail cruises to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Passengers fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetlands, allowing them to bypass the Drake Passage crossing from Ushuaia.
In this modern age there is something truly special about only being able to reach a place by boat. The two days you spend at sea to reach South Georgia are the perfect warm up to this incredible island, and give much-needed time to process all you've seen after your visit.
Taking a yacht through the Southern Ocean is an adventure not to be taken lightly
It is 750 nautical miles from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia, a crossing under sail of approximately five days in good weather. This is expedition sailing in its truest sense: taking on everything the Southern Ocean has to offer. A round trip from Stanley to South Georgia and back typically takes three to four weeks, depending on the usual variables of sailing in this region. Skippered yachts are available for charter from the Falklands. Alternatively, some yachts offer set date departures and can simply be booked by the berth.
If arriving by yacht, you'll need to complete a detailed Yacht Application Form prior to your voyage from the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, and take an online assessment after viewing a permit holder briefing (expedition leaders on cruises ships must do the same). Yachts must call at Grytviken, where the vessel is inspected by a government officer. Visitors must also submit a Post Visit Report within 30 days of departure for monitoring purposes. For more information see the website of the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.
A replica of Shackleton's James Caird in the South Georgia Museum
It certainly wasn’t part of the original plan for his Endurance expedition, but the 800 mile/ 1300 km open-boat journey in the James Caird which Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew of five men made in 1916 from Elephant Island to King Haakon Bay on South Georgia remains one of the greatest feats of seamanship ever recorded. While a brave few over the years have re-enacted the crossing it's unlikely to catch on as a regular route. When you see the replica of the James Caird in the South Georgia Museum in Grytviken and reflect on its tiny size compared with the ship you arrived on, you'll understand why. Far better to toast 'the Boss' at his grave in the Whalers' Cemetery and reflect on his achievements there.
Ever wondered what it would be like to recreating Shackleton's epic voyage to South Georgia?
Swoop Antarctica Expert Lizzie
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No, all visitors must arrive by sea. The closest airport to South Georgia is at Stanley on the Falkland Islands. Under usual sea conditions it takes two days to sail to South Georgia from either the Falkland Islands or the Antarctic Peninsula.
No, you don’t need a visa to visit South Georgia. All visitors require a visitor permit, which is automatically arranged for you by your expedition cruise ship operator. They'll even make sure your passport gets stamped!
This depends on which voyage you choose. Most voyages spend between 3- 5 days exploring the island. If South Georgia is the main focus of your trip in comparison to the Antarctic peninsula we suggest four days is the optimum period, as it allows plenty of time to explore even under changeable weather conditions.
The visitor season runs from November to March. There isn’t a ‘best time’ to visit as such because South Georgia is such a wildlife dense destination with amazing sights throughout the season. You may also want to balance the timing with your preferred time to be on the Antarctic peninsula.
For more information see our page When to go to South Georgia.
The Southern Ocean can certainly be lively around South Georgia, although landing sites are concentrated on the northeast coast which is more sheltered from prevailing weather systems. Modern expedition cruise ships have stabilisers to help reduce movement in heavy seas, with the newest x-bow ships offering even more stability. Our specialists are experienced with the whole polar fleet – if seasickness is a concern, they can help choose the right ship for your voyage.
South Georgia is bursting with life throughout the cruise season, so choosing when to take your voyage will ultimately depend on what you want to experience on your trip.
If your voyage includes the remote island of South Georgia, discover what you are likely to see and experience with our wildlife guide.
Walk across South Georgia's spectacular landscape, go ashore to meet the abundant wildlife or learn about the island's rich history.
South Georgia has a rich history, from the darkest days of industrial whaling and the heroics of Ernest Shackleton to the modern recovery of its ecosystem.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 50 years of South Georgia experience between us, we can help you to exactly the right trip for you.
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