South Georgia & Falkland Islands Cruises: Itineraries & Prices
South Georgia has some of the largest king penguin colonies on Earth, and the Falklands add albatrosses and rockhoppers. Combined with the Antarctic Peninsula, they make the fullest wildlife trip in the Southern Ocean.
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Ask expedition guides where they'd go if they could only pick one trip, and many will say South Georgia. Beaches packed with king penguins and elephant seals, Shackleton's grave at Grytviken, and wandering albatrosses nesting in the tussock grass: nothing on the Peninsula quite matches it.
Most voyages combine South Georgia with the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula on an 18–23 day trip. There are fewer departures and fewer cabins than on Peninsula-only trips, so the best ones often sell out a year or more ahead. Here's what to expect and how to book one.
At a Glance
Most South Georgia trips are 18–23 day voyages from Ushuaia that also visit the Falklands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Expect roughly $15,000–$30,000 per person on expedition ships.
| Departs | Ushuaia, Argentina (some trips start or end in Stanley, Falklands) |
| Trip length | 18–23 days with the Peninsula · 13–16 days without it |
| Season | Late October to March |
| Typical price | $15,000–$30,000 per person · luxury $30,000–$50,000+ |
| Best for | King penguins, Shackleton history, wildlife photographers |
Why Combine South Georgia and the Falkland Islands?
They sit on the same route east of Cape Horn
Geography decides it. The Falklands are about 1.5 days' sail from Ushuaia, South Georgia is another 2–3 days east, and the Antarctic Peninsula is 2–3 days southwest of that. Visiting all three in one loop makes the sea days worthwhile.
Each place adds something different. The Falklands have rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatrosses nesting on sheer cliffs. South Georgia has huge king penguin colonies and fur seal beaches. The Peninsula adds icebergs and the Antarctic continent itself.
South Georgia & Falklands Cruise Itineraries
| Itinerary | Length | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica | 18–23 days | Ushuaia round trip via all three regions | The complete trip, most departures |
| South Georgia & Falklands only | 13–16 days | Ushuaia or Stanley, skipping the Peninsula | Wildlife focus, travelers who've seen the Peninsula |
| South Georgia-focused | About 2–3 weeks | Some trips start in Stanley via the weekly flight from Punta Arenas | Maximum days at South Georgia |
Most travelers choose the full 18–23 day loop. You typically get 3–4 days at South Georgia, 1–2 in the Falklands and 3–5 on the Peninsula. Read our guide to the Antarctic Peninsula for that part of the trip.
Best Time to Visit South Georgia
| Month | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Late Oct – Nov | Elephant seal bulls fighting for beaches, snow on the peaks, king penguins courting |
| Dec – Jan | Fur seal pups, gentoo and macaroni chicks, wandering albatrosses starting to nest, long daylight |
| Feb – Mar | Fluffy brown king penguin chicks, peak fur seal numbers, more whales offshore |
King penguins have a breeding cycle of more than a year, so you'll see adults and chicks in every month. Fur seals get territorial from December to January, which can close some beaches. Learn more in our king penguin guide.
Top South Georgia Landing Sites
- Salisbury Plain. A wide glacial plain in the Bay of Isles with one of the island's biggest king penguin colonies, tens of thousands of pairs.
- St Andrews Bay. Often called the largest king penguin colony on South Georgia, with three glaciers behind the beach. Landings depend on the surf.
- Gold Harbour. Kings, gentoos and elephant seals beneath a hanging glacier. Sunrise landings here are a highlight on many trips.
- Fortuna Bay. Starting point for a hike along the last stretch of Shackleton's 1916 crossing to the Stromness whaling station.
- Grytviken. The old whaling station, museum, church and Shackleton's grave (more below).
- Prion Island. A boardwalk leads to nesting wandering albatrosses. It's closed during part of the fur seal breeding season.
- Cooper Bay. Macaroni and chinstrap penguins, usually seen by Zodiac.
Grytviken & Shackleton's Grave
Grytviken was founded as a whaling station in 1904. Its rusting factory, the Norwegian church and the South Georgia Museum are now the only real "town" stop on the trip. Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried in the whalers' cemetery. He died aboard his ship in the harbor in 1922, and his right-hand man Frank Wild's ashes were interred beside him in 2011.
Most expedition teams raise a toast of whisky at the grave. If Shackleton's story is part of why you're going, read our guide to the most famous Antarctic explorers before you sail.
Top Falkland Islands Stops
- Stanley. The small capital, with a cathedral, whalebone arch, museum and pubs. A good place to post a postcard.
- West Point Island. A short walk leads to a cliffside colony of black-browed albatrosses nesting alongside rockhopper penguins.
- Carcass Island. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, plenty of birdlife, and a famous farmhouse tea spread.
- Saunders Island. Several penguin species in one place, including rockhoppers and gentoos.
- Volunteer Point. A king penguin colony reached by 4x4 from Stanley. Only some itineraries include it.
South Georgia & Falklands Wildlife
South Georgia has some of the densest wildlife on the planet. Rats were cleared from the island in a project declared successful in 2018, and ground-nesting birds like the South Georgia pipit are recovering.
- Penguins: king, macaroni, gentoo and chinstrap on South Georgia, plus rockhopper and Magellanic in the Falklands.
- Seals: southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals, most of which breed on South Georgia. See all six seal species.
- Albatrosses: wandering albatrosses on South Georgia and black-browed albatrosses in the Falklands.
- Whales: humpbacks, fin and southern right whales are increasingly common offshore.
South Georgia has strict biosecurity. Before every landing, crew check and vacuum your boots, bags and outer layers.
How Much Does a South Georgia & Falklands Cruise Cost?
| Tier | Per person | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition | $14,000–$22,000 | Twin cabins on ice-class expedition ships, 18–23 days |
| Premium expedition | $20,000–$30,000 | Newer ships, larger cabins or balconies, more activities included |
| Luxury | $30,000–$50,000+ | Suites on Seabourn, Silversea or Ponant, with most extras included |
The daily rate is often lower than on a short Peninsula trip, but the total is higher because the trip is twice as long. Ships that sail this route include Quark, Lindblad–National Geographic, Oceanwide, Aurora, HX, Poseidon, Ponant, Seabourn and Silversea. Compare them in our cruise line comparison. Budget for flights, insurance and tips too. Our trip cost guide covers it all.
Prices are typical 2026–27 lead-in fares per person, double occupancy, and change often.
How to Book a South Georgia Cruise
South Georgia voyages have fewer departures, and the cheapest cabin categories go fast. An Antarctica specialist watches new releases across every company, compares the itineraries (some spend twice as long at South Georgia as others) and books at no extra cost to you.
- Request a quote with your preferred season and budget.
- Get side-by-side voyage options within 2 business days.
- Hold your cabin with a deposit. We'll help with flights to Ushuaia, hotels and travel insurance.
South Georgia & Falklands Cruise FAQs
How long is a South Georgia and Falklands cruise?
Most are 18–23 days when combined with the Antarctic Peninsula, or about 13–16 days for South Georgia and the Falklands alone.
How much does a South Georgia cruise cost?
Expect roughly $15,000–$30,000 per person on expedition ships and $30,000–$50,000 or more on luxury ships, before flights and insurance.
When is the best time to visit South Georgia?
November for elephant seals and fresh snow, December–January for fur seal pups and long days, and February–March for king penguin chicks and whales.
Can you visit Shackleton's grave?
Yes. Almost every South Georgia itinerary stops at Grytviken, where Shackleton is buried in the old whalers' cemetery.
Is South Georgia worth it if I've already seen Antarctica?
Yes. The wildlife is denser and different, especially the king penguin colonies, which you won't see on a Peninsula-only trip.
Explore Other Antarctic Regions
Not sure this is the right trip? Compare the other regions we book, or ask an advisor to match one to your dates and budget.