Antarctica is a dream destination for many people who hope to set foot on the seventh continent at least once in their lifetime.
However, you may also want to add nearby South Georgia Island to your bucket list: its geography is stunning, with rugged mountains, permanent glaciers, and massive ocean cliffs, but the main attraction of South Georgia is its astonishing abundance of wildlife.
For one thing, it boasts the largest king penguin colony in the world. A hundred thousand king penguins live year-round in St. Andrews Bay on a narrow 2-mile stretch of coastline. Because their breeding cycle is long, you are likely to see a combination of babies and adults no matter when you visit.
In addition to king penguins, many other penguin varieties can be found here, including adelie, gentoo, macaroni, rockhopper, and chinstrap.
South Georgia has far more than just penguins, though. More than 2 million fur seals arrive on the beach each summer. Half the world’s population of elephant seals also call the island home. And if you are a birdwatcher, you won’t be disappointed – millions of seabirds, such as albatross and petrel, can be found here.
If you’re heading all the way down to the White Continent, don’t miss the chance to visit nearby South Georgia and see the extraordinary diversity of animals for yourself.
While there are many options for Antarctica cruises, only a select few include South Georgia in their itineraries. Experience the island with Seabourn’s ultra-luxury cruise ship, Seabourn Quest, which visits here in December as a part of its 24-day voyage to Antarctica, Patagonia, and South Georgia. Contact your Stellar Travel advisor for details.
