Five unexpected finds in South Georgia
Remote and enchantingly tranquil, this is a place filled with stories, wildlife and untouched wilderness. Here are our top 5 things to do in South Georgia.
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South Georgia is full of surprises. Known to adventurous travellers as the “Galapagos of the Southern Ocean”, this incredibly remote island was made famous by Ernest Shackleton and is accessible only by boat. Few will ever set foot here, but with its plentiful array of penguins, seals and whales, it’s a must-see on any cruise to Antarctica.
This is a destination with much to see and experience, so here are our top 5 things to do on South Georgia Island.
A ghost town
South Georgia Island’s main town is Grytvitken. Once bustling with life, filled with whaling workers and their families, it now resembles something of a ghost town.
People often wonder, do people live on South Georgia Island? The answer is, yes. A handful of people live on the island all year round to manage the museum, post office and gift shop, while the 15 or so government officials, scientists and support staff that work here come and go as required. All that remains is a church, cemetery and a tiny cinema, so there’s a serene, untouched atmosphere that’s perfect for anyone looking for a little tranquillity.
An adventurer’s grave
The South Georgia Islands are forever associated with adventurer Ernest Shackleton, who made his name here in 1914 when his ship, the Endurance, was crushed by ice. Shackleton and his men miraculously survived, trekking across South Georgia to reach a whaling station and get help.
When Shackleton died of a heart attack while exploring Antarctica in 1922, his wife requested that he be buried in a place he loved: Grytviken. Today, his gravestone is the most famous in Grytviken Cemetery, carved with a quotation from Robert Browning.
A plethora of penguins
Those in search of penguins will want to head straight to South Georgia’s Fortuna Bay and St. Andrew’s Bay. With a backdrop of snowcapped mountains and windswept, rugged terrain, you’ll have the chance to observe hundreds of thousands of penguins, including Gentoos, Chinstraps, Macaroni and King Penguins. It’s thought that more than 100,000 birds inhabit St. Andrew’s Bay alone, making the long hike more than worth it. Bird-spotters will enjoy looking out for the South Georgia Pintail and Pipit birds – the world's most southerly songbird – both of which are endemic to South Georgia.
A sanctuary for seals
Naturalists and photographers alike will enjoy a rare opportunity to observe an abundance of seals in their natural habitat. About 95% of the global population of Antarctic Fur Seals reside here – that’s about five million of them. Since they were almost hunted to extinction in the 18th and 19th centuries, this thriving population is joy to behold.
The island is also home to 50% of the global population of Southern Elephant Seals (around 400,000), which are the largest of all seal species, weighing up to 4.5 tonnes. Observe these extraordinary creatures from land and sea, from fluffy babies to majestic patriarchs, sunbathing, swimming and hunting all day.
A renaissance for whales
Many decades of commercial whaling decimated the region’s whale population, but a 2020 study brought good news – that humpback whales have made a welcome return to the region. There is now an estimated seasonal population over around 20,000. You may also see Orcas, Minke Whales and the Southern Fin Whale and, if you’re lucky, a Blue Whale. In fact, the largest ever Blue Whale (33.58 metres) was recorded at Grytviken, South Georgia in 1912.
A visit to South Georgia Island is as unique as it is unforgettable. It’s a real highlight of our Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition on the MS Fram, offering the perfect opportunity to explore a place quite unlike any other.
