Falkland Islands and South Georgia: 20-Day Wildlife Adventure

Upon arrival in this cosmopolitan city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you make your own way to the group hotel included in your Charter Flight and Hotel Package.

After your breakfast at the hotel, the group transfers to the airport for the charter flight to Puerto Madryn, in the Patagonian province of Chubut on Argentina’s stunning Atlantic coast. Arrive in Puerto Madryn, your checked bags are transferred directly to your cabin on Ultramarine, leaving you free to explore this lively Patagonian port town. As you stroll along the shoreline, you may spot sea lions basking on the beach or even glimpse southern right whales offshore. Local cafés and artisan markets offer a taste of the region’s Welsh-Argentine heritage.

In the afternoon, the group gathers for the transfer to the port to board Ultramarine. After check-in, you are shown to your comfortable cabin—your home for the next 18 nights. Once settled in, the warm and friendly Expedition Team introduces themselves and the ship, sharing important details about the voyage ahead. An air of excitement fills the ship as it sets off toward the wildlife-rich sub-Antarctic islands of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

From Puerto Madryn, set the course for Islas Malvinas, also known as the Falkland Islands, where you aim to dedicate at least three days to exploration. En route, transit rich waters that support an array of wildlife, and in these latitudes—between 42 and 51 degrees north—you may spot avian and marine species you might not see further south. Be sure to spend time on the outer decks taking in the open water, and keep your binoculars handy for any wildlife sightings. Your Expedition Team hosts expert presentations about the Patagonian coastlines and the isolated wildlife hotspots of the Falklands and South Georgia. Time at sea also provides opportunities to slow down and relax, and spend time getting to know your fellow ship mates who have traveled from diverse countries around the globe—and who share your passion for wildlife and adventure. It’s not uncommon for guests to make lifelong friends. As you near the Falkland Islands (also known as Islas Malvinas) sometime in the evening of the second day at sea, you may notice an increase in seabirds, particularly albatrosses. You’ll set course for the farthest—and rarely visited— northwest islands in the archipelago. Some of these islands are annual nesting sites for tens of thousands of birds, including the black-browed albatross. While many eyes may be trained toward the horizon and above in search of birds, stay alert to signs of movement above and beneath the surface of the water. Peale’s, Commerson’s, and dusky dolphins can be seen here, along with the occasional baleen and long-finned pilot whale.

With extended time in the Falklands, you’ll seek opportunities to visit seldom explored sites renowned for birdlife and beauty. The destinations depend entirely on weather and marine forecasts, as the outer Falklands are exposed to oceanic swells. You’ll choose locations that offer the best—and safest—conditions for exploration. One such site is the small, slender Steeple Jason, one of the most northwesterly islands in the Falklands. Difficult to access, it has been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries for its prolific black-browed albatross colony—the largest in the world, with an estimated 100,000 to 180,000 breeding pairs. It’s truly a sight to behold. Their closely packed nests stretch for hundreds of meters along the shoreline, just beyond dense tussock grasses. Looking west to sea, you’ll likely see albatross riding the wind. The walk to the colony crosses uneven terrain and impressive tussock grass, which provides critical habitat for many other bird species. These vivid green grasses, rooted in rocky soil, create a striking contrast with the sharp ridgeline in the background. Largely untouched by humans, Steeple Jason is home to a small shepherd’s outpost and a research field station— overshadowed by vast wilderness. Steeple Jason offers a rare chance to feel truly remote amid a vast ecosystem alive with countless animals. The explorations may also take you to New Island, just over thirty nautical miles south of Steeple Jason. A paradise for birders, this small island boasts coves with white sandy beaches sheltered from the open ocean, and is considered one of the most beautiful in the Falklands. Around 25,000 to 30,000 black-browed albatross nest here, joined by Magellanic, gentoo, and southern rockhopper penguins—each with its own distinct nesting style. Other common sightings include songbirds and the formidable striated caracara. Dolphins, including those in shallow waters, are frequently seen in the area, adding to the island’s remarkable wildlife encounters. Other wilderness destinations may include bird-rich West Point and Saunders Islands in the western Falklands. Saunders Island amazes you with its long white-sand beaches, the northern shore stretching for kilometers and facing the open sea. It’s almost surreal—particularly if you’ve encountered penguins in ice-and snowladen Antarctica on previous voyages— to watch gentoo, Magellanic, and southern rockhopper penguins making their way to the water along sandy stretches. There’s also a smaller colony of black-browed albatross nests on a nearby cliff, sharing the gently sloped, grassy island with grazing sheep tended by the warm-hearted Saunders family. Look for Commerson’s dolphins, often spotted in the shallow waters near Saunders’ sandy beaches. West Point Island is another Falkland gem, with vibrant green vegetation and blooming spring flowers. From the rocky beach, a gentle walk (with slight elevation) leads through a picturesque meadow to a cliff where black-browed albatross nest. West Point Island is home to 2,000 breeding pairs. You’ll visit a small section of the colony for intimate views of albatross in their nests and soaring above the waters. The walk passes through grassy fields dotted with wildflowers, blending the domestic with the wild. Energetic hikers may tackle Mt. Ararat for sweeping views, while others can travel by 4X4 to the colony and overlooks. Peale’s dolphins, Falkland steamer ducks, and striated caracara are often seen here. Carcass is another excellent destination. Like Saunders and New islands, Carcass boasts stunning white-sand beaches meeting the cold, blue waters of the South Atlantic. Magellanic and gentoo penguins nest here, and the tussock grasses are especially impressive. Look overhead for peregrine falcons soaring high above. No visit to the Falklands is complete without a stop in its largest community— Stanley. Highlights include the museum (admission covered) and the striking arch monument built from the jaws of blue whales. Pop into a local restaurant or traditional British pub for Falkland f ish and chips, or a pint while chatting with locals about life on this windswept sub-Antarctic island. Stanley has a distinct boundary—where residential streets end and open wilderness and sheep meadows begin to stretch into the horizon. You’ll set sail in early afternoon, allowing plenty of time to cover the 700+ nautical miles to the next destination: South Georgia.

While at sea, you may become aware of the transit over the Antarctic Convergence, or Polar Front. This biological boundary marks where the South Atlantic meets the Southern Ocean, and you’ll notice the change as you cross it. Below the Convergence, the water is much colder, where it meets the warmer Atlantic, cloudy or foggy conditions often form. This mixing of currents creates an ideal foraging ground for a variety of birds and marine mammals. You’ll likely be accompanied by albatross, petrels, and shearwaters, and may spot whales—some species more often than others. Far from shore, you might see Antarctic fur seals. Seeing prions (part of the petrel family) and shags in greater numbers indicates you’re approaching South Georgia.

After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, you’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions. The sites you visit deliver wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. Biodiverse South Georgia—often described as the Galapagos of the south seas—is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a birder’s paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatrosses, and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team helps bring those days to life when you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia then and now. One of the most significant sites you visit on South Georgia is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Grytviken has a special appeal largely because it’s the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers. Guests and expedition team members uphold a cherished tradition at the Grytviken cemetery, raising a toast to one of the greatest polar heroes. Mid-October and early November are exceptional times to visit South Georgia, especially for wildlife enthusiasts. At this time of year, male elephant seals battle for control of beach sections, securing breeding rights for females entering their territories. These bouts are fought in bursts, with rest periods between clashes. As the largest pinniped species on the planet, watching these giants spar is a true spectacle. Mid-October and early November are exceptional times to visit South Georgia, especially for wildlife enthusiasts. At this time of year, male elephant seals battle for control of beach sections, securing breeding rights for females entering their territories. These bouts are fought in bursts, with rest periods between clashes. As the largest pinniped species on the planet, watching these giants spar is a true spectacle. With extra time in South Georgia, you’ll have greater flexibility to explore more sites. If conditions allow, you may visit King Haakon Bay and the very beach where Ernest Shackleton and his party aboard the James Caird landed after their perilous journey from Elephant Island. If not, you’ll spend more time along the island’s leeward coast, aiming to visit its massive king penguin coloniesThe largest of these colonies. St. Andrew’s, which—by conservative estimates—is home to more than 150,000 breeding pairs. You’ll also seek out macaroni penguin colonies—conditions permitting—as these birds favor rugged, exposed coastlines. Possible sites include Hercules Bay, Royal Bay, and Cooper Bay. Expect to encounter some of the island’s millions of petrels and prions. For those craving some active off-ship adventure, you plan to offer (weatherpermitting) an extended hike along the f inal stretch of the route taken by Ernest Shackleton, Frank Worsley, and Tom Crean to the Stromness whaling station in May 1916.

To say that South Georgia is remote would be an understatement, and as such, you’ll need to invest the necessary time to travel the more than 1,000 nautical miles on your return to South America. You’ll begin the westward journey through the Southern Ocean, crossing back over the Antarctic Convergence and passing near Burwood Bank—a shallow underwater plateau surrounded by deeper waters. All three of these dynamic regions can provide opportunities for bird-watching and marine mammal sightings, and you’ll feel the gradual shift from the chillier ecological Antarctic to the somewhat warmer environments of Tierra del Fuego. If the skies are clear and visibility is good, you might catch your first views of the South American mountains on the horizon well before nightfall. As with other regions you’ve visited, the shelves near the continent can be rich with birdlife and occasionally marine mammals—but the journey isn’t over quite yet. After dinner, you sail west through the famous Beagle Channel on your approach to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. You are transferred to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires, which is part of your Charter Flight and Hotel Package.