A superb voyage to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands to witness a profusion of wildlife including vast numbers of penguins, fur and elephant seals and a wealth of seabirds.
Accessible only by sea, South Georgia is covered entirely by snow-capped mountains and gigantic glaciers that fall into the ocean. The landscape is breathtaking and the concentration of wildlife is unimaginable. An oasis home to a number of penguin species, a variety of seals, and a wealth of sea and land birds. You’ll watch in amazement as king penguins waddle along the shoreline, elephant seals battle for space on the beach and fearsome leopard seals lounge on nearby ice floes. Chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins are also likely sightings.
In the Falkland Islands, land birds are one of our wildlife highlights, with 63 species breeding on the islands, including 16 endemic species. Watch rockhopper and gentoo penguins on land, or spot black-browed albatross and petrels high above while cruising on a Zodiac excursion.
This 16-night itinerary offers the chance to experience one of the greatest wildlife extravaganzas on Earth, on board a modern, small-ship expedition vessel, custom-built for Polar exploration.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Embark in Punta Arenas
This afternoon board your vessel and set sail towards the Western Falkland Islands (Malvinas), known for their rugged beauty and wealth of seabirds and waterfowl.
Day2: At sea, sailing towards the Falkland Islands
Enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following the vessel.
Day3: Explore Saunders Island & Carcass Island
On Saunders Island you can hope to see rockhopper penguins, nesting black-browed albatross and sub-Antarctic gentoo penguins. In the afternoon you visit Carcass Island with options for hiking, bird watching and a local Falklands tea experience.
Day4: Port Stanley
Today join a guided walking tour of Port Stanley or Gypsy Cove. Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands and home to Christ Church Cathedral, plus a number of interesting museums and a war memorial on the waterfront.
In the early afternoon, it is time to set sail, heading for South Georgia.
Days5-6: At sea, sailing towards South Georgia
This stretch of the South Atlantic is rich in biodiversity. Keep an eye out for oceanic seabirds, such as the wandering albatross, and giant and Cape petrels. The expedition team will keep you entertained with a series of presentations about the environment, wildlife and history, and the locations you are soon to visit.
Day7: Arrive in South Georgia
As the vessel approaches South Georgia, the majestic snow-covered mountains slowly come into view. You should arrive in the afternoon and can hopefully enjoy an evening Zodiac cruise at Elsehul Bay.
Day8: Visit Grytviken & Fortuna Bay
Grytviken is your first landing, a historical site with a museum and Ernest Shackleton’s grave. Later you land at Fortuna Bay to see king penguins and learn more about Shackleton’s expedition.
Day9: Explore Gold Harbour & Cooper Bay
Gold Harbour is your destination for this morning, a spectacular location with king penguins, elephant seals and hanging glaciers. This afternoon you look for macaroni penguins at Cooper Bay.
Day10: Explore St Andrews Bay & Ocean Harbour
St Andrews Bay is the destination of your morning excursion, to visit the largest king penguin colony in the world, in addition to feisty elephant seals. This afternoon, you can enjoy a Zodiac cruise and landing at Ocean Harbour.
Day11: Visit Prion Island & Salisbury Plain
Chartered in 1912-13 by Robert Cushman Murphy, and so named because he observed prions on the island, Prion Island is now a designated specially protected area, due to its rat-free status and breeding wandering albatrosses. In the afternoon, you head to Salisbury Plain for more king penguins, elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals, plus an impressive mountain backdrop.
Days12-14: At sea, sailing to the Falkland Islands
Enjoy the facilities on board as you sail back to the Falkland Islands. There is an ongoing programme of lectures and presentations to enjoy.
Day15: Explore Bleaker Island
This evening, you land at Bleaker Island. 40 different breeding birds have been recorded on the island, including Magellanic, southern rockhopper, macaroni and gentoo penguins, plus a large colony of imperial cormorants.
Day16: At sea, sailing back to Punta Arenas
Your final traverse to Punta Arenas is a time to share tales with fellow passengers and reminisce about your epic journey. There are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and a chance of sighting cetaceans from one of the observation areas or outside on deck.
Day17: Disembark in Punta Arenas
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 17 daysfrom £8,060 pp
South Georgia is a remote, rugged and hauntingly beautiful sub-Antarctic island. Its scenery ranges from impressive mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland. Renowned as an excellent birdwatching destination, it has more wildlife than virtually anywhere else on the planet.
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Ideal for viewing: wandering albatross, elephant seal, king penguin, macaroni penguin, sperm whale
Named after the survey vessel on which Horatio Nelson served, the island avoided introducing cats and rats, therefore the wildlife has no predators and are approachable. Devil’s Nose is home to 2,000 breeding pairs of blackbrowed albatross and 500 pairs of rockhopper penguins, an amazing sight.
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Where: West Point Islands
Ideal for viewing: elephant seal, gentoo penguin, king cormorant, Magellanic penguin, striated caracara
The islands’ capital is located on East Falkland around a picturesque harbour, and is a lively small, historic town, with a distinctly British feel. It’s a pleasant place to relax or perhaps visit nearby sites such as Volunteer Point, with its large colonies of king, Magellanic and gentoo penguins.
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A unique sub-Antarctic archipelago consisting of nearly 800 islands, the Falklands are home to an exceptional array of wildlife onshore including southern elephant seals, fur seals and sealions as well five species of penguin. Offshore, you can expect to see Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins and several whale species.
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The second largest of the Falklands Islands, Saunders was the site of the first British settlement in 1765. The north is made up of two peaks, divided by a thin strip of sand known as the Neck - home to large colonies of Magellanic and gentoo penguins, and considered one of the best wildlife sites of the Falklands.
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Where: West Falkland
Ideal for viewing: black-browed albatross, king shag, king penguin, falkland steamer duck, gentoo penguin
This isolated, low-lying island off the south-east coast of East Falkland has wide sandy bays and sheltered coves – it is small and flat, so walking between bird colonies is easy. Of interest is its large colony of rockhopper penguin (over 750 pairs), and its many pools are home to large numbers of waterfowl.
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Where: East Falkland
Ideal for viewing: gentoo penguin, king cormorant, Magellanic penguin, rockhopper penguin, striated caracara
Excellent for: Penguin watching, Birdwatching
This itinerary is available on the following
cruise vessel:
The Magellan Explorer journeys to remote and spectacular destinations in Antarctica. Purpose-built, its modern design and innovative technologies include an accessible bow which allows guests near the water level for exceptional photographic and wildlife viewing opportunities.
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