South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruise

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15 days (approximately)
Offered in: German and 4 more

South Georgia before the crowds arrive. When frost still holds the coast, elephant seal bulls are locked in battle on the beaches, and the island carries that rare charge. Wild enough to overwhelm, quiet enough to absorb.

This is a dedicated 15-day expedition to South Georgia, not a stop between destinations but a journey devoted entirely to one of the world's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. With an aim for eight days exploring the island, you'll have the luxury of time to discover its spectacular coastline, historic landing sites, dramatic mountain scenery, and extraordinary abundance of wildlife at a pace few expeditions can match.

36 guests. Six senior polar guides. One purpose-built expedition vessel with active fin stabilisers and hybrid propulsion for the Southern Ocean crossing. Every landing decided by conditions and opportunity, not by a printed schedule.

- South Georgia as the destination, not a stop.
- Early-season timing.
- Eight full days on the island.

What's Included

Lunch (Optional[13])
Lunch
Dinner (Optional[14])
Dinner
Scheduled transfers between Mount Pleasant Airport and the vessel in Stanley.
Breakfast (Optional[14])
Breakfast
All scheduled Zodiac cruises, transfers and shore landings, subject to conditions.
Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots for shore landings.
IAATO fees, permits, South Georgia ESTA, port charges and applicable operational fees.
Comprehensive pre-departure information and assistance from the Secret Atlas team.
Photography guidance and workshops.
Available Starlink Wi-Fi; availability and speed cannot be guaranteed in remote polar regions.
International and domestic flights, including flights to and from the Falkland Islands
Passport, visa, vaccination, reciprocity and other entry requirements or charges
Comprehensive travel insurance, as required under the Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Gratuities for shipboard crew and Expedition Team.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Port Stanley Airport

A Secret Atlas representative will be waiting for you once you exit security in Stanley.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 15 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Day 1: Embarkation in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

    1 stop
  • Stanley (Pass by)

    Embarkation day. Most guests fly into Mount Pleasant Airport, where the expedition team will meet you. Luggage is transferred directly to the vessel. We take a charter bus into Stanley together. If you are already on the Falklands, join us at the Tourist Office from 15:00. The afternoon is yours — the Maritime Museum, a walk along the waterfront, a pint at the Globe. Aboard by 18:00 for mandatory safety briefings. That evening, the official start: welcome cocktail, dinner, first introductions.

    • Day 2

    Days 02: Southern Ocean

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    The Scotia Sea passage. Aureum's dynamic fin stabilisers keep the crossing manageable; the programme on board does the rest - polar science lectures, photography workshops, personal accounts from the expedition team.

    • Day 3

    Days 03: Southern Ocean

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    On day 3, we hope to cross the Antarctic Convergence and pass Shag Rocks - isolated jagged islets with exceptional concentrations of seabirds, seals, and whales. The first land since the Falklands. South Georgia is close.

    • Day 4

    Day 04: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    Our approach takes us past Bird Island, one of the largest numbers of albatross nesting on earth. Wildlife meets you at the water's edge before the first landing and the sound of seven million penguins arrives before the sight does.

    • Day 5

    Day 05: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    Stand at St Andrews Bay among 200,000 king penguins. The sound arrives before the sight does. Our flexible schedule should take us to key colonies at the best times to witness these awe-inspiring moments.

    • Day 6

    Day 06: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    We aim to explore South Georgia’s wildest corners, making daily Zodiac landings to discover its most spectacular wildlife. The eight days that follow are shaped around early morning landings in golden light. Possible locations include: Bird Island, Elsehul Bay, Fortuna Bay, Stromness Bay, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord, Grytviken, Nordenskjold Glacier, Ocean Harbour, King Haakon Bay. With 450,000 king penguins, it’s home to some of the planet’s greatest concentrations. Our flexible schedule should take us to key colonies at St Andrew’s Bay, Salisbury Plain, and Gold Harbour — at the best times to capture these awe-inspiring moments.

    • Day 7

    Day 07: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    We'll aim to explore South Georgia’s rugged coastline, making daily Zodiac landings to discover its most spectacular wildlife. With 450,000 king penguins, it’s home to some of the planet’s greatest concentrations. Our flexible schedule should take us to key colonies at St Andrew’s Bay, Salisbury Plain, and Gold Harbour — at the best times to capture these awe-inspiring moments.

    • Day 8

    Day 08: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    We aim to Zodiac cruise into South Georgia’s wildest corners and photograph nesting albatrosses on Prion Island from the water.

    • Day 9

    Day 09: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    Grytviken is a formal customs stop, the museum and the abandoned whaling station reward proper time. In the whalers' cemetery, Shackleton and Frank Wild rest beneath simple headstones.

    • Day 10

    Day 10: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    At Cooper Bay, you might find macaroni penguins nestled in tussock grass, and also visit Grytviken, a historic whaling station and the final resting place of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton. All while the remote, towering glaciers of Drygalski Fjord surround you in breathtaking, untamed beauty.

    • Day 11

    Day 11: South Georgia

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    A visit to Grytviken, a historic whaling station and the final resting place of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton. All while the remote, towering glaciers of Drygalski Fjord surround you in breathtaking, untamed beauty.

    • Day 12

    Day 12 - At Sea

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    Today will be a day at sea filled with whale and birdwatching, and lectures from our crew.

    • Day 13

    Day 13: At Sea, Southern Ocean

    1 stop
  • (Pass by)

    Aureum turns north. The return passage mirrors the crossing south — lectures, workshops, time on deck, the rhythm of life at sea.

    • Day 14

    Day 13: At Sea, Southern Ocean

    1 stop
  • Stanley (Pass by)

    Today you will disembark and be transported to the hotel for your onward flight home

    • Day 15

    Day 15 - Disembarkation

    1 stop
  • Stanley (Pass by)

    Disembarkation after breakfast. A briefing from local airport authorities on timings and procedures. The expedition team will organise the transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport.

Additional info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Secret Atlas

Tags

Multi-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Safaris
Water Tours
Seasonal
Adventure Tours
Involves Animals
New Product

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

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