South Georgia is usually grouped together with the South Sandwich Islands. They are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the tail end of South America. This grouping of islands is mostly rugged and barren, made up of impressive mountains rising out of the sea. The highest peak reaches to over 9,000 feet. Silent glaciers carve the gorges separating the peaks.

South Georgia lies 864 miles east of the Falkland Islands. It encompasses the large island of South Georgia itself and small outlying islands as well.

The South Sandwich Islands are made up of 11 volcanic islands that form an arc southeast of South Georgia. These island groups are a great place to stop on an Antarctic cruise to view some wildlife undisturbed by human presence.