Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica

Your journey begins in Ushuaia.

At sea.

The Falkland Islands are home to a rich wildlife, including numerous bird species as well as Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters. During this trip, you can visit various areas: – Carcass Island: Despite its name, this island is free of rodents and is home to a variety of birds, including Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, as well as endemic species such as Cobb’s wren and the tussock bird. – Saunders Island: Here you can observe the black-browed albatross during its occasionally comical landings. This island is also home to king cormorants, rockhopper penguins, as well as king, Magellanic, and Gentoo penguins.

Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, combines South American influences with a touch of Victorian charm. Colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English pubs characterize the cityscape. In the surrounding area, historical shipwrecks from the 19th century are silent witnesses to maritime history. A small yet fascinating museum tells the story from the beginnings of settlement to the Falklands War.

During the crossing to South Georgia, you pass the Antarctic Convergence, where the sea temperature noticeably decreases within hours. Here, the meeting of different water masses causes nutrient-rich water to rise to the sea surface. This natural event attracts numerous seabirds, including various albatross species, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas, which can then be observed near the ship.

You reach South Georgia today, where the prevailing weather guides the planned activities. Possible visiting sites are: – Fortuna Bay: Famous for its populations of king penguins and seals, it offers the opportunity to explore part of Shackleton’s historic path. – Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour: Locations of the largest king penguin colonies and breeding grounds for Antarctic fur seals. Special attention is required during the breeding season to avoid disturbing the animals. – Grytviken: A former whaling station, now inhabited by king penguins and elephant seals. Visiting the South Georgia Museum and Shackleton’s grave is possible. After the explorations, it is planned to sail towards the South Orkney Islands in the afternoon of the 10th day, depending on weather conditions.

On this route, encounters with drift ice are possible. In such cases, south polar skuas and snow petrels might join the other seabirds and follow the ship southward.

Depending on current conditions, a visit to Base Orcadas, an Argentine research station on Laurie Island, is possible. The station staff gladly gives tours to visitors. Should a visit there not be feasible, there is alternatively the possibility to land at Shingle Cove on the Coronation Islands.

Impressive icebergs and a considerable chance of spotting fin whales promise an exciting experience on the final stretch towards the south.

If ice conditions allow, the journey continues into the Weddell Sea, where colossal tabular icebergs mark the arrival at the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Possible destinations are Paulet Island with its large Adelie penguin colony and Brown Bluff, where setting foot on the Antarctic continent is possible. If conditions for the Weddell Sea are unfavorable, the route will be chosen via Elephant Island into the Bransfield Strait and possibly into the Antarctic Sound from the northwest. The fascinating landscape extends along the Bransfield and Gerlache Strait, with the conditions in the Drake Passage determining the exact departure time.

Crossing Drake Passage

Arrival in Ushuaia