Explore the wildlife-rich shores of the South Georgia Islands and make numerous stops while developing your photography skills on this 15-day wildlife and photography expedition. The journey aboard the Polar Pioneer takes you from Right Whale Bay, St. Andrews Bay, and Gold Harbor to Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord, with the view of opening up as many photo opportunities as possible. The mountains are snow-covered, the shores are still frozen, offering some great photo opportunities. Visit areas where large numbers of penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds congregate in the Southern Ocean to feed and reproduce. These abundant numbers of animals provide endless inspiration for your photographs.
Highlights
Visit the West Falklands known for the massive penguin colonies and albatross sightings.
Develop new photography skills in the field with a highly experienced Antarctic photographer.
See King penguins at Fortuna Bay.
Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains & volcanoes.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your days at sea are filled with presentations and lectures led by your highly experienced photography guides, preparing you for the wildlife that greets you upon your arrival in Right Whale Bay. In between presentations, spend time chatting with your shipmates, develop your photography skills while enjoying the fresh air and views on the outer decks. Sailing southeast to South Georgia, officially enter Antarctic waters once you cross the Antarctic Convergence, an invisible biological boundary encircling the continent. This meeting of oceans, where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, helps nourish the abundance of krill that attracts whales, seals, and birdlife to this part of the world.
This remote, mountainous island was a popular stop for many historic Antarctic expeditions and was once a haven for hunting whales and seals. Today, island wildlife populations are rebounding, but you still see remnants of old whaling stations and other abandoned outposts. Among the most significant and moving sites in South Georgia is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, plus a museum, gift shop, church, and small research station.
South Georgia’s history is an important attraction to the island, it is the tremendous abundance of wildlife that you and your shipmates surely find most captivating. Each landing you make on South Georgia is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles. Open your eyes to the wondrous lives of new, enthralling creatures. One day you may see rookeries with hundreds of thousands of pairs of king penguins waddling on a beach, and the next, you may visit another beach blanketed with thousands of fur or elephant seals. The grasses, mountains, and beaches of South Georgia all play an important role in the breeding and survival of different species on the island. Your Expedition Leaders help you understand and appreciate the delicate balance among these fragile and interwoven relationships.
Day 13-14: At Sea
1 Breakfast
Say goodbye to the king penguins. While the ship makes its way back to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), the program of lectures and presentations continues onboard, and workshops and is led by highly experienced expedition leaders and photography guides, who prepare you for the wildlife that greets you upon your arrival.
Day 15: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands | Disembark
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Captain’s Suite (Category A)
Cabin Size: 22.5 m2 With double bed and separate lounge area, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private bathroom, hairdryer. Forward and port windows.
Mini-Suite (Category B)
Cabin Size: 16.8 m2 With double bed and separate lounge area, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private bathroom, hairdryer. These cabins have a window.
Twin Cabin (Category C)
Cabin Size: 12 m2 With two lower berths, a writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private bathroom, hairdryer. These cabins have a window, private bathroom, 2 lower berths, except #402 and #403 which have upper and lower bunks and a couch.
Twin Cabin (Category D)
Cabin Size: 9.8 m2 With two lower berths and sofa, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private washbasin, hairdryer. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
Triple Cabin (Category E)
Cabin Size: 10.2 m2 With one bunk (one upper and one lower berth) and one additional lower berth, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. This cabin has a porthole.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 347 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 347 reviews on
18 hours ago
Rapa Nui was on my bucket list for a long time so I worried that it would not meet my expectations. Our tour could not have been better. Our guide was knowledgeable and professional with an understanding of the island that made it come alive. I would and have recommended this trip to everyone that will listen.
elisa wright
4 days ago
Having done a trip in the past with Adventure Life, I found picking a trip and customizing it was a breeze and fit everything I wanted
Scott Drayer
5 days ago
Careful service
older gentleman
5 days ago
We had to book within a certain time. Adventure Life came to our rescue as most of the other operators were sold out. We went with the website ad on Big Five Borneo Tour for 6 days 5 nights. Adventure Life was professional, timely and honest about the itinerary for small groups at a reasonable cost. This was our first time with Adventure Life. From the beginning to the end, they were supportive, responded to email immediately and provided emergency contacts through out our stay. As indicated, the deluxe accommodations were luxurious, there were 3 meals a day including early morning coffee was available before the 6am river cruises and evening tea. The itinerary was well laid out, to time and the guides/drivers though different after 2 days for river cruise and for the cave, were experienced, we felt safe. We were lucky to see the Big Four, except the orangutan on our tours at Sukau and the orangutan with the baby was at the poolside of the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. The meals were alright without variety. Wifi was in/near reception area. We stayed 3 nights at Sukau and 2 nights at Utan. The two lodges were different. Utan focused on animals and birds not seen at Sukau on plenty of nature walks, night safaris and river cruises. Utan is a new lodge started in July 2024, smaller, luxurious and intimate. The meals were excellent with a personal touch. Guide was very experienced and willing to take us on more nature walks to see our luck for the animals which were missed. Utan provided knee length rubber boots and binoculars can be rented (try it out before you take on tours). Initially we were disappointed not getting the accommodation at Danum Valley but after Utan experience we had it all. We will recommend Adventure Life to those looking for worry free adventures at a reasonable cost.