Thousands of penguins are waiting for you on our South Georgia tours and cruises!
Sometimes called the gem of the sub-Antarctic, South Georgia is important in maritime history. Once a hub for whaling in the early 20th century, the island saw the visit of explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose epic journey from Antarctica to South Georgia is legendary.
But South Georgia is also famous for being a sanctuary for wildlife. It’s home to vast penguin rookeries where king penguins parade in their thousands, alongside gentoo, macaroni, and chinstrap penguins. Seals, including the southern elephant seal and fur seals, can be found on the beaches. You’ll also spot various bird species, including albatrosses.
Our South Georgia tours and cruises offer multiple landings where you can step onto South Georgia’s shores, guided by experts who will share stories and facts about this extraordinary island.
Every year, we also visit South Georgia as part of our Grand South Atlantic Tour, starting in Ushuaia and also stopping in Saint Helena, Tristan Da Cunha and Cape Verde. It can also link to one of our Antarctica cruises.
Ever wanted to see the ENTIRE Antarctica region in one epic adventure? Now’s your chance with our Complete Antarctica Odyssey.
It covers the Falkland Islands, with its windswept landscapes, charming Port Stanley, and a crazy variety of birdlife; South Georgia, the “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean,” where you’ll visit Shackleton’s grave and witness thousands upon thousands of penguins; the South Orkney Islands, with a potential stop at the Argentine Orcadas Base; and the Antarctic Peninsula, where you will set foot on the Seventh continent.
4 Apr, 2027 – 7 May, 2027
3 Nov, 2026 – 23 Nov, 2026
30 Mar, 2028 – 2 May, 2028
16 Jan, 2027 – 3 Feb, 2027
16 Jan, 2027 – 3 Feb, 2027
30 Mar, 2028 – 2 May, 2028
3 Nov, 2026 – 23 Nov, 2026
4 Apr, 2027 – 7 May, 2027
While our Grand South Atlantic Cruise is a great way to visit South Georgia, if the dates don’t match your travel dates or interests, we can offer independent options to cruise to Antarctica. Get in touch to receive the itineraries and availabilities.
Our options include:
The trip of a lifetime for country collectors and adventurers. Those journeys take you, in 19 to 20 days, to the Falkland Islands, then South Georgia, before you go to the Antarctic Peninsula. Those expeditions explore one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife. By the end of the trip, you’ll have a least six different penguin species!
Price: from €11,995
Day 1 – Ushuaia, the end of the world!
Day 2 and 3 – Antarctic Convergence
Day 4 – Shag Rocks
Day 5-10 – Exploring South Georgia
Possible Landing Sites:
Day 11-14 – Sailing back
Day 15 – Ushuaia
Due to the remoteness of South Georgia and the local regulations, we are very limited in terms of bespoke tours – but if you have an idea, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do!
You do not need a visa to visit South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands for a limited stay. However, you must obtain a visitor permit before your visit. If you join YPT on a South Georgia cruise, this permit application handled by the vessel operator.
South Georgia has no indigenous population, with only temporary residents like government officials and scientists present. So it’s safe to assume that nothing will happen to you in terms of crime.
However, while wildlife is a significant attraction, certain animals like fur seals can be territorial and aggressive during breeding seasons. Visitors are required to maintain a respectful distance from wildlife to ensure both their safety and the animals’ well-being.
Depending on the cruise, we travel on the M/V Hondius, which can accommodate 174 passengers, or the M/V Plancius, which can embark 116 passengers. Both vessels offer a restaurant/lecture room and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) with large windows, offering full panorama view. Don’t worry, you won’t be floating on a giant cruise ship: we don’t like them either!
You need to be in good general health and be able to walk on the ship, get up and down the gangway, and get in and out of the Zodiacs. During activities, you can choose to stay on the vessel if you prefer. For safety and logistical reason, landings in South Georgia only cover small areas, in which you can walk freely at your own pace.
You’ll see thousands, if not tens of thousands, of penguins on our South Georgia cruise. But not polar bears, because they live in the Arctic region – in the Northern hemisphere.
While there are southern lights in South Georgia, we cannot see them on our cruises due to the midnight sun.
We require you to bring a waterproof jacket and pants (minimum 15,000mm rating) for Zodiac cruises to shore. Apart from that, our advice is to take warm, windproof, waterproof clothes that you can easily add or remove in layers. South Georgia is obviously very cold, but keep in mind that we’ll be there during the summer season, where temperatures usually range from -5°C to 5°C. If you are used to skiing, mountaineering or hiking in winter, the gear you use for those activities should be enough.
Before departure, consult with a travel health professional or your doctor. Since the island has very limited medical facilities, it’s crucial to ensure you’re in good health. While specific vaccinations aren’t mandated for South Georgia, ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. This includes tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, etc.
Our ships are equipped with free Internet access and phone facilities (subject to satellite connection and coverage). Wi-Fi access is available throughout the ships. There are also laptops available for public use.
We strongly recommend that travellers to all our destinations have travel insurance. Accidents or medical conditions can happen anywhere and it’s best to be prepared since medical facilities in South Georgia are basically non-existent. A proper travel insurance should include coverage for (medical) evacuation/repatriation costs by helicopter, plane or ship.
You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385
No matter which Polar Region you choose to explore with us, you can be assured of an incredible adventure. Our experienced guides and expedition leaders will ensure your safety while providing insights into the unique ecosystems and histories of these remote and captivating destinations. Young Pioneer Tours not only offer the cheapest way to get to South Georgia but can also offer the cheapest FIT and group rates through our partners.
