South Georgia
Where Wildlife Rules, and Penguins Are King
Over a thousand miles from the South American mainland and a similar distance from Antarctica, the rugged peaks of South Georgia pierce the moody skies of the Southern Ocean. While several ships had sighted the island in the 1600s, legendary explorer Captain James Cook was the first to land on South Georgia, which he named for King George III.
Once a base for the whaling industry, this magnificent isle has been reclaimed by nature. Reserved for scientific research and wildlife, South Georgia is not only home to staggering natural beauty, but also holds some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet.
Area of South Shetland Islands
- 3,529km²
Population of South Georgia
- 30 in summer / 16 in winter
Why Travel to South Georgia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc id est interdum, ultrices purus eget, rhoncus augue. Aliquam blandit ullamcorper pharetra.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
Suspendisse potenti
Sed id quam at odio ultrices consequat
Duis finibus non est vel condimentum
In laoreet a enim ac lacinia
Map of South Georgia
An Active Geography
South Georgia is a rugged, mountainous island. The majority of the island is comprised of deep marine rock, which was pushed up to the surface by a bend in the nearby tectonic plates, forcing rock above the sea surface. The British Overseas Territory of South Georgia also includes the South Sandwich Islands, an arc of active volcanoes to the southeast of the ‘mainland’. These volcanoes are among the most active on planet Earth, and play host to some of the planet’s largest penguin colonies.
South Georgia is one of the few bodies of land in the path of the mighty Antarctic Circumpolar Current. As this powerful current hits the island, nutrient-rich waters are forced to the surface: the basis for the island’s exceptionally rich ecosystem.
Wildlife of South Georgia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum sed dui purus. In tempor felis nec justo congue consectetur. Pellentesque imperdiet venenatis justo ut scelerisque. Suspendisse ex nulla, vulputate ut dapibus in, dignissim in sem.
Svalbard Reindeer Quick Overview Scientific Name Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Population Estimated at 10,000-22,000 in Svalbard Regions Arctic...
Polar Bear Quick Overview Scientific Name Ursus maritimus Population Estimated at 22,000-31,000 globally (IUCN) Regions Arctic, Europe, North...
Walrus Quick Overview Scientific Name Odobenus rosmarus Population Estimated at 225,000 globally, of which about 20,000 live in the Northern...
Northern Gannet Quick Overview Scientific Name Morus bassanus Population Estimated at 1,500,000-1,800,000 individuals globally Regions Arctic and...
Common Eider Quick Overview Scientific Name Somateria mollissima Population Estimated at close to 2 million globally Regions Arctic and North...
Black Guillemot Quick Overview Scientific Name Cepphus grylle Population Estimated at close to 400,000–700,000 individuals globally Regions North...
The Atlantic puffin or the “clown of the sea,” is a recognisable seabird in the North Atlantic. Famous for its beak and diving, it is essential in...
The Arctic Skua, also known as the 'parasitic jaeger', has adapted to some of the planet’s most challenging environments with its streamlined shape,...
Have you ever heard of a fox that can change colors? And it is roughly the size of a house cat? We're talking about the Arctic fox, one of nature's...
Imagine going on one of our voyages and spotting a penguin that could be as tall as your child. We're talking about the emperor penguin, the tallest...
You might recognize this penguin from the famous Sony Pictures Animation movie 'Surfs Up'. Even though in real life they do not surf, with its vivid...
With over 22 different species worldwide, and considered one of the largest living flying seabirds by its wingspan (which can be larger the size of...
Climate of South Georgia
South Georgia has a cold, maritime climate, largely influenced by the surrounding Southern Ocean.
| AVERAGE HIGH | AVERAGE LOW | PRECIPITATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 4.72 in (120 mm) |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.94 in (100 mm) |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 32°F (0°C) | 5.12 in (130 mm) |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.91 in (150 mm) |
| May | 36°F (2°C) | 25°F (-4°C) | 5.51 in (140 mm) |
| June | 32°F (0°C) | 23°F (-5°C) | 6.30 in (160 mm) |
| July | 32°F (0°C) | 21°F (-6°C) | 6.69 in (170 mm) |
| August | 34°F (1°C) | 23°F (-5°C) | 5.91 in (150 mm) |
| September | 37°F (3°C) | 27°F (-3°C) | 5.12 in (130 mm) |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.51 in (140 mm) |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 34°F (1°C) | 5.12 in (130 mm) |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 4.72 in (120 mm) |
Popular Expeditions That Include South Georgia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum sed dui purus. In tempor felis nec justo congue consectetur. Pellentesque imperdiet venenatis justo ut scelerisque. Suspendisse ex nulla, vulputate ut dapibus in, dignissim in sem.
