South Georgia, Antarctica And Falklands Explorer Reviews

I am still 'working through' my 7,000 plus photos and I am reliving some of these moments that I captured 'digitally'. It is impossible to reduce the trip to only 'one moment'. The first sight of the Antarctic Peninsula, watching Penguins stumbling over the rocks, hitting some ice at night that shakes the entire ship, South Georgia's sheer endless number of Penguins, Grytviken Whaling station, the endless cruising along the 80 mile long iceberg A76-a,...

There is no one memorable moment. The entire Polar Latitudes Cruise was phenomenal. The excursion crew was excellent as was all the service. The shore excursions were all breathtaking. Stepping onto the Antarctic continent was a moment never to be forgotten.

The first time I saw Antarctica proper, it took my breath away.

Hard to pick one moment but the scale and beauty of South Georgia and Antarctica was beyond my expectations. One moment that comes to mind is when a humpback whale near the ship to check us out while we were at anchor in Fournier Bay. The whale surfaced, blew, rolled and hung around the ship for quite a while before moving on. The clear water made it easy to see the whale just under the surface. Many good photos adn videos were captured!

To many highlights to mention. The weather could change almost in an instant, changing the light and the landscape before your eyes, completely captivating. Lots of wildlife despite being late in the season, and being later we saw lots of whales. The ships crew and the expedition crew were exceptional. There were 98 passengers on board the Island Sky and we were surprised by the age range, 22 to 78 with an average of 62 (this must be accident rather than design) but it made for a wonderful atmosphere with people prepared to mix in chat, and eat together. We hope to meet up with a few in the future. Most magical moment, that's difficult, probably being in a Zodiac among sleeping Humpbacks.

Kayaking among dozens of "porpoising" Macaroni penguins off the shore of South Georgia Island. It was our first experience with ocean kayaking, and riding the swells in the bright sun with mountains and dramatic clouds all around and the playful penguins entertaining us was a truly magical experience.

Highlights were the icebergs! That is what drove me to Antarctica and we were not disappointed. Of course the penguins were icing no the cake. Kayaking was superb! We don't remember signing up (did Swoop comp us?) and we loved every moment of it!

St Andrews Bay and the whales circling us while kayaking in Neko Harbour

Seeing a Cathedral Iceberg, South Georgia, East & West Falklands

The most memorable part was the trip up the Drygawlski Fiord from Larson Harbor on South Georgia Island. It was just above freezing and snowing but the water was so cold that the snow was not melting but collecting on the water. The raw beauty of the fiord was stunning especially with the dusting of snow. The geography of our location was expertly described by our leader Stephi which added to the amazement of the moment. We saw at least 6 and perhaps 7 Wendell seals with a couple swimming around our Zodiac as we cruised and floated. There were also some Fur seals to entertain us. The steep sides of the fiord, the glaciers and waterfalls made the whole trip magical.

It seems impossible to name just one highlight, but if I must, it would be the hour or so we spent cruising amongst a group of 200 or so Humpback whales. They were so close you didn't know where to look first. We got closer to the wildlife than I expected, particularly the nesting albatross and penguins sitting on eggs. I can now tell 6 species of penguins apart! The only real surprise was when a wave hit the ship straight on the side and broke a window while we were all sitting in the lounge.

Floating in the zodiacs between icebergs on which penguins and seals were resting.

Waking and being the first on deck for the first week and seeing the sunrise with the tabular icebergs for the first time...or was it the first Wandering albatross...or maybe the Southern Ocean...whales...penguins (you're not in Wisconsin anymore!). Most memorable? See me in 20 years when I've lost most of my memory and see what's left. ;)

If I had to pick a highlight, it would be kayaking on a heavily overcast day in an ice-filled bay enclosed on three sides by terminal glaciers and snow-filled mountains, watching a humpback whale roll nearby as I listened to the sizzling of the bergy bits around me. But, in truth, there were lots of magical moments. Every day was full of anticipation and delight. The only true surprise, however, was when a rogue wave in Drake's Passage took out a window in the lounge of Deck 3!

Kayaking as a Humpback whale surfaced in front of the Kayak and brushed the end of the Kayak before gently gliding back under the surface

Having the penguins so close to me.

The enormous quantity of penquins, 1000's and 1000's!

Our first landing in South Georgia when the king penguins just walked up and greeted us on the beach. It still makes me grin and tear up to think of it!

Being in the midst of a raft of swimming penguins on board a RIB and having a leopard seal surface next to the same!

The highlight was seeing hundreds of thousands of king penguins in South Georgia. The glaciers and icebergs were breathtaking. Was wonderful to see whales, but I most enjoyed the many and playful fur seals. Great group of fellow travelers. Very enjoyable to get to know people from other countries. No surprises.