The geographical location of the island of South Georgia
Lost in the middle of the South Atlantic, South Georgia is a southern British island that perfectly represents the symbiosis of high mountains and sea. It is surrounded by Welcome and Willis Islands, Pickersgill, Bird Island and Cooper Island. Other rocky islands include Clerke Rocks, Black Rock Islet and Shag Rocks. Measuring 160 km long and 30 km wide, it covers an area of 3756 km2, and boasts more than 160 glaciers. Its highest point, a real tourist attraction, is Mount Paget, which peaks at 2934 m. A British Overseas Territory, South Georgia was administered by a British magistrate in Grytviken during the expansion of the whaling industry. Seven stations were in operation at the time. You'll even have the chance to visit the whalers' cemetery, where the famous explorer Ernest Shackleton is buried. A veritable eden for wildlife, thanks to the presence of krill (the primary food of whales and other marine mammals and birds in the southern latitudes), South Georgia Island is a must-see during your cruise.
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South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Itinerary : Southampton, Queensferry, SAUnders Island, Kristiansand, Southampton
MSC Virtuosa
8 d
Inside Stateroom
Southampton
5/9/2026
from
US$ 1,171
Itinerary : Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Shetland Islands, Drake passage, Ushuaia
1 other departures
Ocean Explorer
20 d
Suite
Ushuaia
10/25/2026
from
US$ 46,737
Other departures:
14 Feb 2028
The only way to get to South Georgia Island is by boat. You'll need to be an avid sailor, as you'll need between 4 and 6 days to get there; and above all, you'll need to love adventure, as the expeditions are long but very rewarding. Your first stop on the island must be Grytviken, where you can visit a small church where the island's first shepherd officiated, and a museum preserving the abandoned relics of bygone industries. In the same town of Grytviken, the grave of the great Ernest Shackleton is a favorite spot for tourists in search of exploration. To meet the island's friendly population, visit the King Edward Point scientific research center, just a few metres from the old seaside resort of Grytviken. The only residents of the island can be seen there, as well as on the Bird Island scientific base in north-western South Georgia. But what's most interesting about the island itself is its animal heritage, which is one of the most extensive in the world. You can admire a vast colony of king penguins at Salisbury Plain. You can also discover lands inhabited by fur seals and elephant seals during your zodiac rides.
In Stromness Bay and St. Andrew's Bay, reindeer have been visible since the 20th century. Off Prion Island, take out your camera to capture howling albatrosses perched on their nests. You'll also discover some thirty species of bird, including numerous Adélie, Papuan and chinstrap penguins; black-browed albatrosses; sharp-tailed ducks and spotted teal. All this biodiversity is preserved within a 200 nautical mile zone.
South Georgia has a maritime subpolar climate, meaning that the temperature in the hottest month, February, is 6.5°C in its largest city. Winter is cold in June and July, with temperatures hovering around freezing. From November to March, temperatures can reach 20 to 22°C. The best time to visit South Georgia is during the austral summer from December to March, especially between January and March when temperatures are much higher. Despite some precipitation, windy spells and the risk of rain, the island's charm remains. Between the waves crashing on the fjords and the animals lining its shores, your trip will be spent in the best possible conditions. In winter, however, from June to August, you'll need warm clothing such as down jackets, hats, raincoats and even snow boots. During the summer months, from December to March, you'll want to pack warm clothes, a sweater, jacket and boots. This will come in very handy, especially when hiking in the mountains.
Cruises South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
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