South Georgia Island Cruises & Tours
4.5 stars on(7,532 reviews)- Choose from 33 South Georgia Island tours
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Table of contents
- 33 trips to South Georgia Island with 105 reviews
- South Georgia Island Tour Reviews
- Travel South Georgia Island your way
- Top operators in South Georgia Island
- Discover South Georgia Island tours for every budget
- South Georgia Island tours for every group
- Top South Georgia Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit South Georgia Island
- Contact our South Georgia Island travel experts
33 trips to South Georgia Island with 105 reviews
Compiled by
MelissaSouth Georgia Island travel expert at TourRadar
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Superb staff at every level. The itinerary was always subject to the weather but there was always a plan 'b' or even 'c'.”
JackWalton, traveled in October 2018
South Georgia's abandoned whaling stations and Shackleton's grave await your visit. The world's largest king penguin colonies and newly birthed elephant seal pups flourish here. G Expedition provides comfortable travel while expert guides share historical context during this remarkable polar adventure.
Duration 22 days Destinations Uruguay, Falkland Islands, England, Argentina Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Operated in English Operator G Adventures From
- US$15,399
Spirit of Shackleton
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The zodiac tours were amazing, the crew aboard the Expedition were first class, and the accommodations were very comfortable and well maintained.”
Collette, traveled in January 2018
Four immersive days in South Georgia showcase Shackleton's grave and former whaling stations. Massive king penguin colonies thrive alongside wandering albatross in their nesting grounds. The G Expedition offers comfortable twin-share cabins with en-suite bathrooms in this wildlife paradise.
Duration 21 days Destinations Argentina, Falkland Islands, Chile Age Range up to 90 year olds Operated in English Operator G Adventures From
- US$19,999
South Georgia's massive king penguin colonies line the path of Shackleton's historic route. Grytviken's whaling station and museum reveal the island's past, while fur and elephant seals bask along dark volcanic beaches.
Duration 20 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Antarctica Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Operated in English Operator Intrepid Travel From $33,395
15% Off- US$28,386You save $5,009
Rich wildlife sanctuaries of South Georgia Island unfold over 3 dedicated days. Historic Grytviken whaling station and Shackleton's grave stand among massive albatross colonies. Daily Zodiac excursions bring close encounters with elephant seals and multiple penguin species.
Duration 18 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Antarctica Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Operated in English Operator Intrepid Travel From $29,695
20% Off- US$23,756You save $5,939
Salisbury Plain and St Andrew's Bay host vast King Penguin colonies in this extraordinary wildlife paradise. Former whaling stations at Leith and Stromness tell tales of the past, while elephant seals gather at Gold Harbour. Shackleton's grave in Grytviken lies amid dramatic glaciated landscapes.
Duration 19 days Destinations Argentina, Antarctica, Falkland Islands, Chile Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operated in English Operator Albatros Expeditions From
20% Off- US$20,995
South Georgia Island Tour Reviews
- South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari, Operated by Quark
Overall the ship experience was excellent. Prior to the trip communication between Quark, Exodus and Tour Radar was poor.
Travel South Georgia Island your way
For those seeking genuine polar exploration, our expedition voyages to South Georgia Island offer incredible immersion into the wildlife and landscapes. The most comprehensive expeditions run 20-23 days, giving you proper time to experience everything from the Drake Passage crossing to extended stays around the South Georgia coastline. Our travelers particularly value the flexibility of the expert polar teams who adapt each day's activities based on conditions - you might find yourself kayaking among icebergs one morning and hiking to panoramic viewpoints the next. The zodiac excursions are definitely highlights, getting you right up close to penguin colonies and seal beaches. What makes these explorer trips special is the blend of adventure activities with scientific learning - you'll work alongside researchers in citizen science projects and attend fascinating lectures from polar specialists in state-of-the-art onboard theaters.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 30 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through South Georgia Island with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided toursExplore a wide diversity of adventures through South Georgia Island. We have 19 cruises that vary from 18 days to 28 days. With the greatest number of departures in January, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Polar toursExplore a wide diversity of ocean cruise tours through South Georgia Island. We have 19 adventures that vary from 15 days to 32 days. With the greatest number of departures in February, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Ocean Cruise tours
Top operators in South Georgia Island
G Adventures and Quark Expeditions both come highly rated by our travelers who've taken polar trips. G Adventures tends to win people over with their practical touches - the beds are properly comfortable, the food goes beyond basic expedition fare and their Zodiac tours let you really get close to the ice formations. Our travelers consistently mention how Quark's crew members know their polar regions inside out - from the ecology to the weather patterns - and they keep their vessels in top shape. The ships are well-maintained which matters when you're navigating icy waters, and the staff work hard to get travelers to the right spots for watching whales breach or seeing penguin colonies. Both companies excel at positioning their ships and Zodiacs so travelers can properly photograph those massive glaciers and spot wildlife in their natural habitat. While they operate in similar regions, each brings its own approach - G Adventures focuses on creating a warm, sociable atmosphere onboard while Quark emphasizes the educational side with detailed presentations and hands-on learning about polar environments. Based on what returning travelers tell us, you really can't go wrong with either operator - they're both skilled at delivering safe and enriching polar experiences while making sure everyone stays comfortable in these remote settings.
- 5.0 (22,795 reviews)
"Amazing. It had been ten years since my last trip on MS Expedition with this company. It is evenbetter now. Superb staff at every level. The itinerary was always subject to the weather but there was always a plan ‘b’ or even ‘c’. Following in the footsteps of Shacleton, Tom Crean etc was brilliant made even better by the experts on board and in the field. The whole trip could not be faulted and for this full credit to all the staff.
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- Polar
- Response time
- 1h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $1176
- 4.5 (11,925 reviews)
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Polar
- Response time
- 8h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $2484
- 4.5 (13,295 reviews)
"This expedition was a very very very excellent experience. The crew, staff, and destinations were amazing. We were fortunate enough to have better than normal weather. I would definitely do this again with the same crew and staff. They were very knowledgeable and accommodating and had tons of experience. Artie, Nix, Woody, Neil, Sofia, and the rest of the team made this trip a very memorable trip. I also had a booking issue and it was resolved. If you have the time time, do this trip! You wont forget it.
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 16 to 80 years old
- Adventure type
- Polar
- Response time
- 35h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $2375
Discover South Georgia Island tours for every budget
Our luxury expeditions to South Georgia Island really deliver on both comfort and exploration. These high-end voyages run between 20-23 days aboard specially equipped polar vessels with excellent stabilization systems - something our travelers really appreciate during Drake Passage crossings. The ships feature proper lecture theaters where polar specialists share their expertise, and the accommodation maintains a nice balance of comfort while keeping the focus on the destination. What sets these tours apart is the flexibility in daily activities - you might join citizen science projects one day and kayak among icebergs the next. Our customers particularly praise the expert teams who adapt each day's schedule based on conditions, always having backup plans ready. The zodiac excursions get consistently high marks, especially visits to Grytviken's historic whaling station and Shackleton's grave. These luxury trips include special touches like photography workshops and one-on-one time with naturalist guides. The dining experience matches the setting, with talented chefs preparing excellent meals even in remote waters. Our travelers often tell us the combination of adventure activities with scientific learning makes these trips particularly rewarding.
South Georgia Island luxury tours
South Georgia Island tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
33 tours in South Georgia IslandGroup trips to South Georgia usually leave from Ushuaia or Montevideo on ships carrying 100-200 people. There's something special about sharing wildlife sightings with new friends on deck and trading stories over dinner. The social aspect really adds to the experience, while the expedition teams keep everything running smoothly with guided colony walks and coordinated Zodiac outings for optimal wildlife viewing. Our travelers often tell us how much better it is spotting wildlife as part of a group - whether you're watching wandering albatross from the ship or walking among thousands of king penguins at Salisbury Plain. The setup means you get to learn from multiple guides too, since specialists rotate between groups during landings to share their particular expertise about seabirds, marine mammals and also Antarctic history.
Top South Georgia Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, Stanley, South Georgia Island, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Buenos Aires, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Ushuaia
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, Falkland Islands, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro
Demographics
Solo travelers tell us they really enjoy the expedition ships to South Georgia Island from both Ushuaia and Montevideo. These vessels carry between 100-200 passengers, with lots of open spaces where you can meet fellow nature enthusiasts. The shared dining areas and deck spaces make it easy to join others watching for whales, seabirds and also marine life. What our solo guests particularly like are the evening gatherings where they can chat with other passengers while the expedition team shares their knowledge about the day's sightings.
The longer Antarctic trips that include South Georgia are perfect for couples - typically running 19-23 days with a nice mix of private time and group activities. The ships offer comfortable cabins plus quiet spots around the deck where you can take in the views together. Many couples like that they can split up during the day - one might photograph penguins while their partner learns about the island's history, then reunite to share their experiences over dinner. Taking a Zodiac ride together among the fur seals or watching the sunrise over glaciated peaks tends to create those special shared moments.
Several South Georgia voyages cater well to active travelers with options for kayaking, snowshoeing and when conditions are right, even camping. You can paddle right up to icebergs, follow parts of Shackleton's historic route or spend a night camping under southern stars. The casual onboard vibe works well for this crowd - there's wildlife photography instruction, real science projects you can join and social time in the evening to swap stories about the day's adventures. Our younger guests say they really like how the trips mix outdoor activities with interesting educational programs.
For our senior travelers, we've found expedition voyages that combine comfort with real exploration work particularly well. The ships feature stabilized hulls and plenty of deck space, letting you take in the views at your own pace. Our older guests especially appreciate the lecture programs – you can learn about Antarctic wildlife and history from polar experts in comfortable onboard theaters between landings. The zodiac excursions are well-managed with experienced crews who help everyone transfer safely from ship to shore. Many of our senior travelers tell us they loved visiting historical sites like Grytviken whaling station and Shackleton's grave, where guides bring Antarctic exploration history to life. The wildlife encounters are accessible too – you can sit quietly on a beach watching king penguins waddle past or observe elephant seals from a comfortable distance. What makes these trips special for our senior guests is the flexible pace – you can join as many landings as you like and also enjoy the ship's amenities like the library and observation lounges between excursions.
- Solo Travelers17 tours
- Couples14 tours
- Seniors (50+)15 tours
Best time to visit South Georgia Island
Contact our South Georgia Island travel experts
Nina
Expert in South Georgia Island at TourRadar
Nina is one of our seasoned South Georgia Island Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about South Georgia Island tours answered!
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