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
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.9 | 241 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
Based on 241 reviews on
6 days ago
It is so easy to book trips, the staff is very friendly and helpful and they respond to any and all questions
Lorretta
1 week ago
Mary was super helpful and patient. Answered every question and with candor (answers of “Everything’s equally great” aren’t helpful! 😎).
TMort
1 week ago
The trip planner I worked with, Jane, was excellent. She had travelled to Antarctica twice and was the voice of experience as she explained travel options to me. I've travelled internationally for many years for many years for business and pleasure including a number of adventure trips. It is a delight to work with such an experienced planner. I've used Adventure Life for three trips, Costa Rica, Galapagos and upcoming, Antarctica. I highly recommend them.
Chuck Snavely
1 week ago
Clara was great to work with. She presented lots of options and always responded promptly. And she found excellent options within our price range.