Embark from Puerto Madryn in the afternoon, your prow aimed for the Falkland Islands. Golfo Nuevo is renowned for its visiting southern right whales, so you have a good chance of spotting one as you sail toward the open ocean.

Though you’re now at sea, there’s rarely a lonesome moment here. Several species of birds follow the vessel southeast, such as albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.

The Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of birds live here, but chances are great that you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.

During this segment of the voyage, you might visit some of the following sites:

Steeple Jason – Home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony (roughly 113,000 birds), Steeple Jason is a wild and rarely-visited island buffeted by wind and waves. Weather and swell conditions dictate the journey here.

Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is bounteous with many endemic species of birds. Spot breeding Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds), and more.

Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.

Westpoint Island – Land in a small cove and walk through the tussac grass to find an abundant breeding colony of black-browed albatrosses, where they live side by side with rockhopper penguins.

Grave Cove – Nesting gentoo penguins and excellent hiking opportunities abound here, providing an excellent chance to enjoy the scenery and wildlife that the islands have to offer.

En route to South Georgia, cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.

Reach the Shag Rocks, a group of six islands surrounded by nutrient-rich waters that offer great feeding grounds for numerous birds and whales. The islands are named after the South Georgian shag, known for its bright blue eyes and yellow beak patch.

Arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program. Sites you might visit include:

Prion Island – The home of the great wandering albatrosses. The previous summer’s wandering albatross chicks are almost ready to fledge, and adults are seeking out their old partners after a year and a half at sea.

Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, and Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil (and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding season (December – January).

Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. You may have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.

Leith Harbour, Stromness, Husvik – These sites remind us of the scale of the whaling industry in the early 20th century. Elephants and fur seals breed and molt here. Gentoo penguins also occupy the landing sites. Antarctic prions and South Georgia dive petrels may be observed, especially in the area of Husvik.   

Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you might visit the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.

Cobblers Cove, Godthul – At Cobblers Cove aim for Rookery Point to see macaroni penguins. Light-mantled sooty albatrosses nest along the coastline and giant petrels can be observed as well. Godthul (Norwegian for “good cove”) was named by Norwegian whalers and seal hunters and remains such as bones can still be found along the shoreline. Beaches are the home of gentoo penguins and seals.

Royal Bay (Moltke Harbour, Will Point & Brisbane Point) – Moltke harbor in Royal Bay was named by the German International Polar Year Expedition in 1882 and some of the remains of their dwellings are still visible. The scenery of Royal Bay is beautiful, with dark sandy beaches, green tussock grass, and dominated by the snow and Ross Glacier. Royal Bay is one of the windiest bays on the island, zodiac cruising is spectacular. Approx. 30,000 pairs of king penguins live here.

Cooper Bay – Offers the largest chinstrap penguin population; Gentoo and macaroni penguins are also present. Antarctic terns, white-chinned petrels, blue-eyed shags, and light-mantled sooty albatrosses can be spotted too.

Drygalski Fjord – offers spectacular landscapes as the ships sail the narrow fjord, with 2-kilometer-high mountain peaks at a very close distance.

Annenkov Island – Passing Pickersgill Island, reach the rarely visited Annenkov Island, first discovered by James Cook in 1775 and later renamed by the Russian expedition of Fabian von Bellingshausen in 1819. A rocky terrain with a variety of ridges, peaks, and hills where fossils have been found.   

King Haakon Bay – British explorer Ernest Shackleton reached King Haakon Bay during his journey of 800 sea miles by open boat “James Caird” from Elephant Island. From here he crossed to Stromness to ask for help to rescue his party at Elephant Island after they had left the Weddell Sea where their ship got crushed by ice. Elephant seals dominate the beaches. Birdwatchers will look out for South Georgia pipits, Antarctic prions as well as common diving and blue petrels. 

There may be sea ice on this route, and south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds such as albatrosses and petrels trailing the vessel. Eventually, you reach the Drake Passage and you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south.

You arrive and disembark in Ushuaia, commonly held to be the world’s most southern city. It is located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the “End of the World.” But despite this stopping point, the wealth of memories you’ve made on your Antarctic expedition will travel with you wherever your next adventure lies.