Falkland Islands guide
A wildlife-rich archipelago, the almost 3,000-strong population is fiercely proud of its island.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SOUTH GEORGIA
South Georgia from late April to early October is frozen solid, bleak, inhospitable and inaccessible for all but seals, seabirds, penguins and mad scientists.![]()
The best time to visit South Georgia is Oct-Mar, as although weather condition ns can still turn on a sixpence this is when warmer temperatures at sea level coincide with a flurry of activity on land during breeding and nesting times. In Oct/Nov, ice formed during the winter shimmers and shines in far greater quantities before breaking up with the 24hr sunshine, and you’ll find far fewer cruise ships setting off before the peak months of Jan-Feb. Spring flowers bring surprising colour to monochrome landscapes in Oct-Nov as elephant and fur seals establish breeding grounds and last season’s penguin chicks rule the rookeries.
South Georgia Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
1
7
112
FEB
1
8
143
MAR
0
7
155
APR
-1
4
157
MAY
-4
2
178
JUN
-5
1
148
JUL
-6
0
143
AUG
-5
1
139
SEP
-4
2
138
OCT
-2
4
117
NOV
-1
5
102
DEC
0
6
90
THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH GEORGIA
Things to do in South Georgia…
Things not to do in South Georgia…
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica cruise
The Ultimate Antarctica Experience!
From
€14250 to €29750
20 days
ex flights
Antarctica small ship cruises
Ultimate Antarctica and South Georgia small ship wildlife cruise
From
£11725 to £33695
21 days
ex flights
Antarctic wildlife cruise and penguin safari
Highlights of South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula
From
£15925
18 days
ex flights
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Circle cruise
Discover all Antarctica has to offer on this epic expedition
From
US $26075
24 days
ex flights
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands cruise
Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia expedition cruise
From
£14130 to £17675
19 days
ex flights
Total Antarctic highlights cruise via Buenos Aires
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Circle Crossing
From
£27745 to £31245
23 days
ex flights
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SOUTH GEORGIA TRAVEL ADVICE
Bill Davis, an Antarctica expedition leader for many years with our supplier Intrepid, shares his thoughts on trips to South Georgia and Antarctica:
Expect the unexpected
“Something unexpected happens every day – that's the beauty of what we do. This is what makes it an expedition rather than a cruise. If we have the opportunity to stop and engage some whales for an hour or two, that's what we're going to do. The captain will turn the ship around and we'll go and have a look. We won't say no - sorry - we're on a tight schedule and we have to be at this destination at this time for our slot.”
Addictive Antarctica
“We raise awareness throughout the trip of different areas of concern, and we raise money as well. We have auctions, and it's incredible to see the number of our guests participating and contributing and keenly interested in our educational programme onboard. That makes me really happy. People come down for a vacation, and they leave as true ambassadors to the area. They get infected with the polar fever.”Cabin essentials
“If you're sharing a cabin, earplugs would be a good tip. And we feed people very well on board, but sometimes there is a little treat that you like from home - whether it's peanut butter or vegemite or marmite.” Charlotte Caffrey is a marine scientist and a polar guide for our Antarctic cruise supplier Aqua Firma:
Life afloat
“We don't even call our trips cruises because of all the connotations associated with the term. We keep our trips small; you're not expected to go to dinner in your finery; and there's no musical entertainment or band playing each evening. Part of the joy of these trips is making conversation with people you may not have met otherwise.”
Paying your respects
“People are very keen to visit Shackleton's grave to pay their respects and to learn more about what happened on his ill-fated last expedition. On the trip, we try and reach Elephant Island, where Shackleton's men were marooned awaiting his return, but the weather conditions are notoriously bad there making it difficult to land, so we have to be flexible with our itinerary expectations.”Fellow passengers
“Apart from the amazing scientists and researchers at research stations that we visit who are happy to show us around and usually come on board for a shower and a meal, you meet people on board with surprising stories to tell. Once at dinner I sat opposite an Australian man who had funded his trip by digging up gold nuggets from his own garden. The lady sitting next to him was an incredibly sophisticated diplomat who had travelled the world. It was such a great contrast the three of us chatting, all from very different walks of life.”SOUTH GEORGIA TRAVEL ADVICE
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful South Georgia travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful South Georgia travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
Set your expectations high and you still won't be disappointed because nothing prepares you for a trip to the Antarctic, South Georgia and The Falklands. The latter 2 are well worth taking in. Do not skimp on this vacation, of all the vacations you will ever take.![]()
– James Keaney
“It cost a heck of a lot of money, but worth every penny as it really was a trip of a lifetime. The seasickness struck me low as soon as we sailed out of the Beagle Channel into open waters, but it only took a day to reach the outer islands of West Falkland for our first zodiac landings and some amazing wildlife spotting. Getting up close to nesting albatrosses was a huge thrill. I was warned that there isn't much to see or do in Ushuaia so I took a trip out to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is outstanding and made an excellent start to the trip.” – Roger Bilder
“Read about the history and the wildlife in advance and bring a really good camera, but more importantly a good pair of binoculars! Also, the jacket you are given is incredibly warm! The additional highlights for me were to have been able to follow the route of the Irish explorers Shackleton and Crean and by camping out for a night. Part spent in a snow hole and part in a tent, I really appreciated the harsh conditions which they endured but for me thankfully only for one night. Also by visiting the old whaling station on South Georgia and Shackleton's grave and trekking part of the Shackleton route down to it I felt a sense of history. – Helen Connolly
“I think the British Antarctic Survey guys enjoyed the distraction of attending the ships BBQ at Grytviken, S Georgia ;-). Our guides – wonderfully enthusiastic, knowledgeable people – gave us strict instructions on how to behave around wildlife and we were given a talk on rules & regs. It sounds oppressive – but honest it wasn't. Both guides & crew made every effort to minimise the environmental impact. Am selling my sisters on Ebay to help raise funds to do it all over again ;-) Seriously though – wow!!!!” – Sara Page
“Read about the history and the wildlife in advance and bring a really good camera, but more importantly a good pair of binoculars! Also, the jacket you are given is incredibly warm! The additional highlights for me were to have been able to follow the route of the Irish explorers Shackleton and Crean and by camping out for a night. Part spent in a snow hole and part in a tent, I really appreciated the harsh conditions which they endured but for me thankfully only for one night. Also by visiting the old whaling station on South Georgia and Shackleton's grave and trekking part of the Shackleton route down to it I felt a sense of history. – Helen Connolly
“I think the British Antarctic Survey guys enjoyed the distraction of attending the ships BBQ at Grytviken, S Georgia ;-). Our guides – wonderfully enthusiastic, knowledgeable people – gave us strict instructions on how to behave around wildlife and we were given a talk on rules & regs. It sounds oppressive – but honest it wasn't. Both guides & crew made every effort to minimise the environmental impact. Am selling my sisters on Ebay to help raise funds to do it all over again ;-) Seriously though – wow!!!!” – Sara Page
South Georgia is an amazing place. The beaches were packed with tens of thousands of penguins and they weren't afraid to come right up to us.![]()
– Rebecca Allcock
More South Georgia articles
A flexible, positive attitude and an adventurous sea faring soul are all you need to make the most of your time.
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