South Georgia & Antarctica Trip 2028

Discover the full sweep of the Southern Ocean’s wilderness as you journey through the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Begin among the windswept shores and rich birdlife of the Falklands, home to albatross colonies, dramatic coastal cliffs, and a fascinating blend of wildlife and culture. Continue to South Georgia, one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries, where tens of thousands of king penguins gather on black-sand beaches, elephant seals crowd the shoreline, and the island’s glaciated peaks create a truly unforgettable backdrop. 

Your voyage then carries you south into Antarctica, where you’ll experience towering snow-covered mountains, colossal glacier fronts, and shimmering bays dotted with sculpted icebergs. Along the way, enjoy activities such as hiking, Zodiac cruising, whale watching, and, for the bold, a polar plunge. 

This is a rare opportunity to explore three of the planet’s most remote and remarkable destinations in a single journey, each offering its own unique landscapes, history, and wildlife encounters.

This trip is perfect for divers and non-divers!

Note to divers: Polar diving is not for beginners. Polar diving is meant for experienced divers who are familiar with cold-water, dry-suit diving. Divers must have logged at least 30 dry-suit dives in cold water to participate. More info on polar diving, including gear requirements can be found here: https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/outdoor-activities/polar-diving.

Check out some of Antarctica's wildlife.

Read the full trip report here: Antarctica Trip Recap March 2025.

Marine Life To Photograph

Antarctica's marine life offers a unique and rewarding diving experience for those who are up to the challenge. Some of the species you might encounter include colorful Nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimp, swaying sea anemones capturing plankton, colorful sea stars clinging to rocks, large fish such as the 1.5m-long Antarctic cod, and Giant kelp growing in dense forests in shallow water.In addition you may encounter leopard seals, penguins, and even whales. On land, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of birds such as albatross and elder ducks, along with the popular King, gentoo, chinstrap, macaroni, and adelie penguins. The region is also home to bearded seals, elephant seals, fur seals, and other fascinating wildlife.

Read more about scuba diving in Antarctica here.

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey 
• Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening. 
• Day 2: The winged life of the westerlies 
• Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels. 
• Day 3: Finding the Falklands 
• The Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters. 
• During this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites: 
• Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife and many endemic species. Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here. 
• Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here. 
• Day 4: The seat of Falklands culture 
• The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley has some Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Admission to the museum is included. 
• Day 5 - 6: Once more to the sea 
• En route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas. 
• Day 7 - 10: South Georgia Journey 
• Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program. 
• Over the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following sites: 
• Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. Here you may also have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams. 
• Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for Antarctic fur seals. Literally millions breed on South Georgia during December and January. Only during the mid-season do they peak in their breeding cycle. There will be some young adult Elephant seals as well as this seasons ‘Weaner’s; the young Elephant Seals that have been left to fend for themselves. Watch your step and stay cool when walking the beaches during this time. 
• Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave. 
• In the afternoon of day 10 and depending on the conditions, we will start sailing southwards in the direction of the South Orkney Islands. 
• Day 11: Southward bound 
• There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south. 
• Day 12: The scenic vistas of South Orkney 
• Depending on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine scientific station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago. The personnel here will happily show you their facility, where you can enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit isn’t possible, you may instead land in Coronation Island’s Shingle Cove. 
• Day 13 - 14: Entering the Antarctic 
• Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here. Depending on conditions, we aim to begin activities the afternoon of day 14. 
• Day 15 - 16: Awe-inspiring Antarctica 
• If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself. 
• If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the northwest. 
• The breathtaking scenery continues in the Bransfield Straight and, if conditions allow further South in the Gerlache Strait. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure. 
• Day 17 - 18: Familiar seas, familiar friends 
• Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them. 
• Day 19: There and back again 
• Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Diving Conditions

Antarctica is the coldest and also the windiest continent in the world. During the summer months (December through March), temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula range between 28 - 40 F (-2 - +5C). Ambient temperature on the vessels ranges between 64 – 68F (18 – 20C) in public areas, while cabin temperatures may be adjusted according to your preference. A separate clothing list and packing list will be provided. 

• Water temperature: 28 - 32F (-2 - 0C) 
• Visibility: 30 - 80 feet (10 - 25m), depending on plankton and ice levels 
• Depth range: 15 - 60 feet (5 - 18m), with most dives kept shallow for safety in polar conditions
  

Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Antarctica, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).

Polar Diving Activity Manual

Expedition Manual