
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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Located 864 miles/ 1,390 km from its nearest neighbour, surrounded by the Southern Ocean with no airstrip and therefore only accessible by ship, South Georgia is more challenging to get to than almost any other place on earth. There is however a choice of routes for getting to South Georgia.
Departing from the Argentine port of Ushuaia by ship and incorporating visits to The Falklands and Antarctica, this is the traditional way for visitors to visit the island. This great arching loop cherry picks the highlights of the Southern Ocean and has to be one of the world’s great sea journeys. It remains a ‘classic’ and as popular as ever.
Voyages vary in length between 17 - 23 days, depending on the time spent in each destination, and operate late October - end March. A wide choice of ships both in style and capacity (50 - 200 guests) is on offer. Select departures also include the rarely visited South Sandwich Islands.
Find out more about ways of getting to Antarctica.
Gentoo penguins waddle on the beach
Latam airlines
The airport at Mount Pleasant on The Falklands is the nearest to the island. While it's over 800 miles away, an increasing number of voyages are starting from there as it saves 36 hours at sea from Ushuaia.
The once weekly scheduled Punta Arenas/ Falklands flight on Saturdays operated by LatAm which takes 1 hour 35 minutes is the only regular air access. On arrival in The Falklands, if you’re booked on a voyage you will be transferred to your waiting ship and set sail for South Georgia.
If your main focus is maximising time on South Georgia with less interest on The Falklands and Antarctica there’s a small number of voyages each season which only visit South Georgia, spending +7 days exploring the island. These specialist trips are particularly well suited to wildlife and photography enthusiasts.
It's 750 nautical miles to get from The Falklands to South Georgia, a crossing under sail of approx. 5 days. This is expedition sailing in its truest sense - taking on the Southern Ocean. A round trip Stanley - Stanley typically takes approx. 21 - 28 days, depending on the usual variables of sailing in this region. October through to May is the preferred season.
Skippered yachts are available for charter from The Falklands. Alternatively yachts offer set date departures and can simply be booked by the berth.
There is something truly special in this modern age about only being able to reach a place by boat. The two days at sea to reach South Georgia are the ideal prelude to all you will experience once there.
It certainly wasn’t part of the original plan, however the 800 mile/ 1,287 km open-boat journey which Shackleton and his small band of men made from Elephant Island to King Haakon Bay on South Georgia remains truly Herculean. While a brave few over the years have re-enacted the James Caird’s crossing - most recently in 2013 in 12 days aboard the replica Alexandra Shackleton - it's unlikely to catch on as a regular route.
For experienced mountaineers, however, the Shackleton Crossing over the mountains of South Georgia to Stromness is possible to do as part of a small group. The crossing distance varies from 35 - 50 km depending on the routing and takes 2 - 3 days, weather dependent. Shackleton, Crean and Worsley made this epic crossing in just 33 hours in late May 1916 in hob-nailed boots and threadbare clothing.
Getting to South Georgia trips scored 4.3/5 from 71 reviews
If you love wildlife or you want to check off more birds on your list, this is a must trip. All three locations provided different wildlife experiences. If you go to the Antarctic, you must go to South Georgia and Falkland Islands. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2022
Scott Hunter - USA
The wildlife in South Georgia was amazing! I would recommend everybody who makes the journey to Antartica to make sure that they include South Georgia in their itinerary. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2019
Jodie Pigman - United States Of America
The wildlife in South Georgia was really overwhelming! Read the full review
Travelled: December 2019
Günter Csebits - Austria
I thought I was going to check off a box - 7th continent in a year - but being in Antarctica was so much more than checking a box; it was beautiful, raw, untouched, and completely indescribable. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2018
Mykkah Herner - United States of America
Review:
3.9 out of 5
With a good choice of departure dates through the season across four medium-sized ships, this 19-23 day trip stands out for its value for money and the broad range of cabin categories available, including Quads, which are…
Looking for an Antarctic adventure without compromising on comfort and service? This stylish 139-passenger ship, with its cavernous suites, fine dining and compelling itinerary, offers a very polished Southern Ocean adventure, at a fair…
4.4 out of 5
Voyage south in Shackleton’s footsteps, exploring the highlights of the Southern Ocean as part of this ‘classic’ 20-day adventure. A well-balanced itinerary and the choice between 3 well-appointed expedition ships (capacity 128-199 guests) really marks this trip out. Plus, you…
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…
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.
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 …
We know that you just want to get out there and experience the thrill of the Antarctic, but planning a trip to Antarctica can be a daunting and at times, overwhelming task. As …
No, there’s no airport on the island. The closest airport to South Georgia is on The Falkland Islands. The only way to reach the island is by boat. Find out more about cruising to South Georgia.
No, you don’t need a visa to visit the island, only a visitor permit which the operator will arrange if arriving by cruise ship.
The visitor season runs from late October to the end of March. There isn’t a ‘best time’ to visit as such, there’s always huge amounts of wildlife and the weather is changeable. November and March are chillier, but the softer light is favourable for photographers. Keen birders should be aware that Prion Island is only accessible from 7th January each year.
Surrounded by the Southern Ocean, the seas around South Georgia can certainly be challenging, which is why choosing the right ship is important. Anyone concerned about potential seasickness are advised to choose a ship with good stabilisers.
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 Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
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