Consider visiting the stunning South Georgia Island on your Antarctic cruise! The island is teeming with wildlife, including King Penguins, seals, Reindeer, Albatross, and whales! The scenery on the island consists of rugged mountains, looming glaciers, and vast fjords. While you’re ashore, don’t forget to visit the gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the legendary Antarctic explorer. First discovered in 1775 by British Captain James Cook, the island remained under British rule until 1908. It provided a base station for local whaling crews, as well as expeditions that passed through until the 1800s.
This former whaling station is now a museum and a popular landing site for tourists. Visitors can learn about the history of whaling on the island, as well as the life and work of Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is buried in the nearby cemetery. Grytviken is also home to a colony of king penguins, as well as several other species of wildlife.
This broad, sandy plain is one of the largest king penguin colonies in the world, with an estimated 250,000 breeding pairs. Visitors can see these majestic birds up close and watch as they interact with their young and each other. The area is also home to several species of seals, including southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals.
This bay is home to another large colony of king penguins, as well as several other species of wildlife. Visitors can hike across the rugged landscape to get closer to the penguins and the seals, or simply enjoy the stunning views of the bay and the surrounding mountains.
This scenic bay is home to a variety of wildlife, including king penguins, gentoo penguins, and southern elephant seals. Visitors can hike along the beach to get closer to the animals, or take a zodiac tour to explore the bay from the water.
This is another popular landing site for visitors to South Georgia Island. The area is home to a large colony of king penguins, as well as several other species of wildlife, including fur seals and elephant seals. Visitors can hike to the top of a nearby hill for panoramic views of the bay and the surrounding mountains.
This scenic bay is home to a large colony of macaroni penguins, as well as several other species of penguins, seals, and birds. Visitors can hike across the rugged terrain to get closer to the animals, or take a zodiac tour to explore the bay from the water.
This small island is located just off the coast of South Georgia, and it is home to a colony of wandering albatrosses, which are among the largest birds in the world. Visitors can watch as these majestic birds soar over the island, or explore the rocky shores and beaches that line the coast
This sheltered bay is home to a variety of wildlife, including king penguins, fur seals, and Antarctic terns. Visitors can hike along the beach to get closer to the animals, or simply enjoy the stunning views of the bay and the surrounding mountains.
This is a scenic bay located on the north coast of South Georgia Island. The area is home to several species of penguins, including king penguins and macaroni penguins, as well as several species of seals, including fur seals and elephant seals. Visitors can hike across the rugged terrain to get closer to the animals, or simply enjoy the stunning views of the bay and the surrounding mountains.
This is a sheltered bay located on the east coast of South Georgia Island. The area is home to several species of penguins, including gentoo penguins and macaroni penguins, as well as several species of seals, including fur seals and elephant seals.
Wildlife
South Georgia houses more wildlife than any other place on the planet. Thousands of King Penguins, plus Wandering Albatrosses and southern elephant seals. Thousands of fur seals also breed in this area. Reindeer introduced to the island around 1900 have continued to inhabit the island. Many whales live in the coastal waters surrounding the island as well.
Climate
Typical summer weather in South Georgia is chilly. Temperatures stay around 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees C). Typically the island remains extremely windy and overcast throughout the year. The winters temperatures generally stay extremely chilly. Most precipitation will occur between March and June.
When To Go
South Georgia's visiting season runs through the austral summer months from the end of October to late March. The weather is at its most benign (if still unpredictable), with snow-free beaches and long days offering the most favourable light for photographers. Summer in South Georgia offers an ever-changing wildlife experience depending on when you visit.
he island’s first discovery came in 1775, through an expedition led by Britain’s Captain James Cook. The island would continue to be held under British rule. It served as a base for whaling crews and other exploration expeditions that passed through the area up until the 1800s. It was not until 1908 that South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands were annexed by Great Britain.
In 1916 Sir Ernest Shackleton, the renowned British explorer, crossed South Georgia. He tried to find help for his troubled Antarctic expedition. He failed to find aid and he perished. Afterwards, they buried the explorer at Grytviken. Currently, his gravesite brings in many tourists and is visitable during the austral summer. The Whaling Church cemetery has around 40 graves in total.
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