Antarctic voyages with the Falkland Islands and South Georgia

Between South America and Antarctica lie two of the most impressive island worlds in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands, with their vast grasslands, and South Georgia, a mountainous and heavily glaciated island. Both of these island worlds are part of many of our expedition trips—sometimes as stops along the way to the seventh continent. Their extraordinary wildlife and eventful history of exploration make them far more than mere stopovers.

South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Antarctica—three worlds on one expedition

The combination of South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Antarctica brings together very different facets of the polar world—often all in a single trip:

• Sub-Antarctic Wilderness —from the grasslands of the Falkland Islands to the glaciated peaks of South Georgia
• Centuries of history —following in the footsteps of polar explorers like Shackleton and the whalers of the South Atlantic
• The Seventh Continent itself —many routes connect these island worlds to the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Orkney Islands, or even the Antarctic Circle

South Georgia – The highlight of many Antarctic trips

Large colonies of king penguins await you on beaches such as Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, and Gold Harbor. On many beaches, you’ll also encounter elephant seals and fur seals. Guided shore excursions and Zodiac trips offer an up-close look at South Georgia’s wildlife.

History becomes almost tangible here: Sir Ernest Shackleton—the polar explorer who reached the island in 1916 in an open lifeboat following one of the most dramatic rescue operations in polar history—is buried in Grytviken, South Georgia’s first whaling station. A museum, a church, and the ruins of the old whaling facilities serve as reminders of that era. At Shackleton’s grave, visitors traditionally raise a toast to the polar explorer.

Falkland Islands – Penguins, albatrosses, and rugged coastlines

The Falkland Islands lie about 500 kilometers off the coast of Argentina—an archipelago of some 780 islands with a British character in the middle of the South Atlantic. While South Georgia impresses with its glaciers and fjords, the Falkland Islands reveal a different side: gentle, grass-covered hills, white-sand beaches, and small farming communities.

Five species of penguins breed on the islands, including gentoo, Magellanic, and rockhopper penguins. On the outer islands, black-browed albatrosses also breed in large colonies that are of global significance. In Stanley, the small capital of the archipelago, British island life meets the rugged South Atlantic landscape.

South Orkney Islands – a possible stopover on the Grand Tour

On some routes, the journey between South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula passes through the South Orkney Islands, located about 650 kilometers northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Landings here are weather-dependent and not guaranteed, but visitors can expect to see rugged, remote coastlines and—if conditions permit—a visit to the Argentine research station Orcadas. Not every trip to South Georgia passes through the South Orkney Islands—they are part of the more extensive route options, but not all of them.

Which South Georgia trip is right for you?

The route, duration, and ship can vary considerably—depending on how much time you have and which additional regions you’d like to explore:

Focus on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia —shorter trips, about 17 to 19 days, excluding the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Grand Tour —the classic combination of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula, with some itineraries including the South Orkney Islands.

Fly & Cruise – a charter flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island. This way, you’ll fly over the Drake Passage on the way there before your Antarctic expedition begins.

As far as the Antarctic Circle —some expeditions attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle, weather and ice conditions permitting. If the crossing is successful, you will reach one of the most significant geographical milestones of an Antarctic expedition at approximately 66°33′ South.

In Shackleton's Footsteps – some itineraries skip the Falkland Islands in favor of the Weddell Sea and Elephant Island. On certain trips, it's also possible to hike sections of Shackleton's historic route across South Georgia.

Deep into the Weddell Sea —a particularly long, independent route leads from South Georgia through the South Sandwich Islands and far into the Weddell Sea, past historic sites of German Antarctic exploration—one of the most extraordinary itineraries in our program.

Far beyond Antarctica —the longest expeditions connect South Georgia with remote islands such as Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, and Ascension, all the way to Cape Verde; depending on the itinerary, the Antarctic Peninsula may also be included in the route.

The type of ship also makes a difference: our program ranges from compact expedition ships accommodating around 90 guests to luxury yachts, some of which even offer optional helicopter and submarine experiences, depending on the ship.

Itinerary for a classic route—including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Let us advise you personally on which route best suits your needs. For expedition trips, the specific route may be adjusted based on weather, ice, and local conditions.