South Georgia Tours, Trips and Vacations
Located in the southern extremes of the Atlantic Ocean, South Georgia is a British Overseas Territory with large colonies of Antarctic sea birds and marine mammals, and no permanent human population. It offers an ecologically rich extension to a Falkland Islands or Antarctica cruise itinerary.
South Georgia Trip Information
At 165 kilometres (103 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) wide, South Georgia is one of the largest islands in the southern Atlantic. It has been administered by the United Kingdom since 1775, along with the South Sandwich Islands which were claimed in 1908. The nearest of the South Sandwich Islands, Zavodovski Island, is located some 550 kilometres (340 mi) to the southeast. The island’s population rarely exceeds 30 people, none of whom are considered native, nor permanent residents.
South Georgia was a major centre of commercial sealing until 1964, and remnants of this industry remain scattered around the island. Through much of April 1982, the island was briefly annexed by Argentina during the Falklands War, only to be retaken by Britain on April 25 as part of Operation Paraquet. Since then, South Georgia has been a haven for wildlife including large colonies of king penguins, albatross, elephant and fur seals, and whales.
South Georgia’s remote location, rugged tundra geography and lack of human settlement make it ideal for a wide variety of Antarctic life. With no native land mammals, polar sea birds including albatross and an estimated 7 million individual penguins, almost half of which are macaroni penguins, thrive in South Georgia. Large colonies of king penguins also make for impressive photos, but they are only a fraction of the 10 million birds – spread over 78 known species – believed to call the island home. Since sealing ended in the 1960s, fur seals have returned to South Georgia in large numbers, with 95% of the world’s 2 million-strong population returning here each summer to breed, and fiercely protect the shoreline. They’re joined by approximately half the world’s southern elephant seals. Up to 400,000 of these massive animals return to South Georgia each summer breeding season. Since your South Georgia cruise will almost certainly take place in the summer, it is a prime opportunity to spot a variety of whales. The most common and reliable of these sightings is the humpback whale, but you may also see fin whales, which reside in the waters surrounding South Georgia, along with southern right whales. A fortunate visitor might even catch a glimpse of the world’s largest mammal, the enormous blue whale. For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers! Frank Hurley: An Adventurer’s Adventurer Get to Know Antarctic Wildlife Up Close Antarctica’s Blood Waterfall – and how to get to the 7th Continent At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Antarctic cruises and tours, with information appropriate to South Georgia as well. Learn about the history of the Antarctic, along with its nature and wildlife, weather and geography. We also have some 'Continent Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering South Georgia and the Antarctic for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our South Georgia trips today! Extend Your Trip After your South Georgia cruise, consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting Antarctica cruise packages, Argentina tours and Patagonia vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in the Polar Regions and South America. South Georgia Travel Highlights
Wildlife of South Georgia
Whale Watching in South Georgia
"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles
Our South Georgia Tours and Vacations
South Georgia
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