Our itinerary over the next few days in South Georgia will depend on local land and sea conditions, but the following destinations are among those places that we would like to explore:
Salisbury Plain is a wildlife site without parallel and is sometimes called the 'Serengeti of the South'. Several large glaciers provide a dramatic backdrop for the tens of thousands of King penguins that nest in the tussac grass of this remarkable ecosystem. The wide beach makes for excellent walking as we visit the colony, where we are literally surrounded and delightfully outnumbered by throngs of curious, gentle penguins. Fur seals also abound, as well as Southern giant petrels and the occasional wandering Gentoo penguin. Millions of Fur seals breed on South Georgia during December and January. By February the young are curious and playful and will want to engage with you as they play at the waterfront, whilst large elephant seals come to the beaches to molt.
Prion Island is a beautiful tussac grass covered islet that is the most important breeding site for the Wandering albatross, which has the largest wingspan of any bird in the world. If we are lucky, we will get the opportunity to see a breeding colony on the top of the islet. We climb up to the summit on a wooden boardwalk, which takes us close to their nests and offers a comfortable viewing platform to experience this extraordinary site. This site is closed during the early part of the breeding season (late November to early January).
Grytviken lies within King Edward Cove, a sheltered harbour tucked between Hope Point and Hobart Rock on the western shore of Cumberland East Bay. The rusting ruins of the Grytviken whaling station are situated on a level plain at the head of the cove, backed by steep hills and mountains. Now the site of the South Georgia Museum, the station remains a focal point of interest for many visitors, as does Sir Ernest Shackleton´s grave in the nearby whaler´s cemetery and his memorial cross on Hope Point. The scenery in this area is exceptionally beautiful even by South Georgia standards. The glaciers and snow covered peaks of the Allardyce Range – Mt. Sugartop, Mt. Paget, Mt. Roots, Nordenskjöld Peak, Mt. Kling and Mt. Brooker – form a magnificent backdrop to the cove and the views from King Edward Point in particular, must be among the finest on earth.
Godthul is a 1.9 mile (3 km) long inlet that lies between Cape George and Long Point, near Cumberland East Bay on the eastern shores of Barff Peninsula. Gentoo penguins are abundant on the tussac plateau and Light-mantled sooty albatrosses echo off the natural cliff amphitheater that encircles the harbour. A floating factory ship serviced by two whale catchers was stationed here each summer between 1908 and 1929. A small shore depot supporting the whaling operations was established close by the stream in the southeastern corner of the harbour and the rusting barrels, wooden shed and boats are fascinating relics of the whaling era, as is the impressive collection of whale and elephant seal bones scattered along the beach.
The surf beaten coastline at St. Andrews Bay runs north-south in a 1.9 mile (3 km) long uninterrupted sweep of fine dark sand, covered in penguins and seals and bounded in the interior by the Cook, Buxton and Heaney Glaciers. The bay hosts the biggest colony of King penguins in South Georgia. In the heights of summer, the beach is also carpeted with Fur seals. Such a large assemblage of wildlife attracts an entourage of persistent and voracious scavengers. Sheathbills dart in and around the penguin colony and Cape petrels nest in a small number on the cliffs north of the bay. Leopard seals patrol the rocks at this end of the beach, hunting for penguins along the edge of the kelp beds. A few White-chinned petrels and Light-mantled sooty albatrosses nest on the tussac slopes. Brown skuas and Antarctic terns breed on the outwash plain and scree slopes at the north end of the beach, defending their nests with their characteristic noise and vigor.
Cooper Bay is found at the southeastern extremity of South Georgia. There is a wealth of wildlife at this site, in a spectacular setting. Chinstrap, Gentoo and Macaroni penguins dot the tussac slopes and there are plenty of Fur seals on the beaches. Fascinating volcanic rocks tower over small fjords, offering a stunning backdrop for a thrilling zodiac cruise to watch wildlife from the waterfront.
Drygalski Fjord is also located in the far southeast of the island. The glaciers found in this dramatic fjord have retreated significantly in recent decades, but they still remain one of the most striking features of this coastline - particularly the Risting and Jenkins Glaciers. With a little luck, we might see the glaciers calve and witness the birth of a new iceberg from on board the ship.
Note: Weather conditions will determine your itinerary and departure times each day.