South Georgia Island Cruises & Tours

Explore the epic Drygalski Fjord

You can’t do an Antarctic exploration without seeing a fjord or two and the Drygalski Fjord might just be the best there is. Whether you’re interested in seeing vividly coloured and uniquely shaped icebergs up close or just want to watch the icy fjord itself naturally shift, prepare to have your breath taken away (and not by the cold). Taking in this captivating landscape is definitely a pinch-yourself moment. 

Watch albatross soar

They don’t call South Georgia Island the ‘Galapagos of the South’ for nothing and once you watch the mighty albatross lift their incredibly wide wings to take to the sky, you’ll soon understand why. Don’t be fooled, these birds might not seem that big from the ship’s deck, but their wingspan is the largest out of any other living bird in the world, allowing them to fly for several hours without a single flap. 

See sunbathing Elephant Seals

If watching the mighty albatross primp and preen tickles your animal-loving fancy, then observing thousands of gigantic elephant seals laying out on rocky mountains will take your excitement to a whole different level. Whether they’re simply basking in the sun’s rays or sparring with each other for ultimate glory, these elephant seals will have you reaching for your camera more times than you can count. 

Marvel at colonies of King penguins

If you hadn’t guessed it already, South Georgia Island is a haven for several species of Antarctic animals including magnificent blue whales and the cheekiest of fur seals. However, nothing will prepare you for the sight of a chaotic colony of King penguins. From trumpeting and courting to waddling and whistling, there are sometimes up to 100,000 pairs of penguins on the island to appreciate and take photos of. 

Visit the old whaling settlement of Grytviken

The first whaling station on South Georgia Island was built in 1904 (quickly followed by six others) but the one built at Grytviken was the largest, employing over 60 Norwegian men as whalers, engineers, and flensers. Learn about this piece of history as part of your South Georgia Island adventure and turn back the hands of time to picture the station as it would have been with rusty ships used as part of the whaling process and industrial buildings that housed workers still visible along the bay. 

Spend time at Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave

Sir Ernest Shackleton may not have been the first explorer to step foot on South Georgia Island, but he was one of the principal figures during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, leading three British expeditions to the region. He suffered a heart attack during an expedition in 1922 off the island’s coast and, at the request of his wife, he was buried in Grytviken. His headstone still attracts many travellers, with some toasting the great explorer by downing a shot of whiskey (his favourite drink) when they visit. 

See Antarctica from the sky 

If you want to experience a polar adventure but aren't keen on travelling by sea, take a once-in-a-lifetime flight to the icy landscape of Antarctica. Whether you're a keen astronomer who's always dreamt of seeing the Aurora Australis or a travel enthusiast ready to check 'expedition flight' off the bucket list, embarking on a southern flight from Australia promises some pretty spectacular views. 

Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, South Georgia Island is around 170 kilometres long and only 35 kilometres wide with a mountainous terrain. This terrain includes a central ridge - Mount Paget - that rises to 2,935 metres and plenty of bays and fjords dotted along the northern coast.

It's a fantastic breeding ground for several animals, including elephant seals, fur seals and king penguins and is even known to be called the 'Serengeti of the Southern Ocean'. The island is also home to several native bird species, such as the South Georgia Pintail and the South Georgia Pipit.

South Georgia Island was first discovered in 1675 by an English merchant by the name of Anthony de la Roche and was named 'Roche Island'; however, Captian James Cook came across the island in his expeditions in 1775 (aboard the HMS Resolution). He mapped and surveyed the island - noting no indigenous population - and renamed it 'Isle of Georgia' before declaring it a possession of Britain.

During the Falklands War in 1982, Argentinians briefly invaded South Georgia Island but it was quickly reclaimed by the British less than a month later.

It has served as a whaling and seal-hunting base throughout its history, with the settlement of Grytviken being the best harbour on the island. However, it's not the largest settlement. That title is currently held by King Edward Point - a British research station occupied by 20 people.

There's also a small cemetery on the island where famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried, alongside Frank Wild, William Barlas and Felix Artuso.