Luxury South Georgia Holidays

So linked to South Georgia, when Shackleton ‘The Boss’ died six years later, Lady Shackleton had his body returned to rest in the cemetery at Grytviken. Since the rediscovery of his ship, the Endurance, in March 2022, this story of survival against the odds is on everyone’s lips once more.

Today, South Georgia would be almost unrecognisable to Shackleton and his crew. The whaling stations that wreaked such devastation among the southern oceans are now rotting hulks and the successful eradication of non-native species – rats, mice, reindeer – means wildlife is flourishing. Colonies of king penguins at St Andrews Bay, Sailsbury Plain and Gold Harbour comfortably exceed 100,000 birds.

Wandering albatross breed and fledge their chicks on the windswept grasslands of Prion Island, black sooty mantle albatross can be spotted in the cliffs and everywhere you go fur seals follow. Giant male elephant seals weighing up to four tonnes fight it out over their hareems while leopard seals and orca patrol the waters in search of an easy meal. When people want to see polar wildlife in action this is where they come.

You can only travel to South Georgia island by ship: there is no runway, and it is too far for any helicopter to reach. While there are a few dedicated South Georgia cruises, most last around three weeks and include time in the Falkland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula itself. Choosing the right ship, with the right expedition team and focus of interest is the key to an unforgettable polar trip, which is where our polar specialists come in.