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Territory of United Kingdom

Antarctic

South GeorgiaTravel guide

Explore South Georgia visa rules

South Georgia Island is a remote, mountainous island administered by the United Kingdom. It has glaciers, huge colonies of birds and seals, and no permanent human population.

Why go

  1. See huge colonies of king penguins and large numbers of seals.

  2. Visit Grytviken for its museum, old church and Ernest Shackleton’s grave.

  3. Explore bays and glacier scenery by ship.

  4. Watch wildlife and take photographs.

Getting there

By sea

  • The only way to reach the island is by boat. There is no airstrip or ferry service.
  • Tourists arrive on large cruise ships or smaller expedition ships. Trips often also visit the Antarctic Peninsula.

Customs

  • You need permission before landing. Your cruise operator or expedition leader arranges this.
  • You may not take food ashore unless you have permission for an expedition.
  • Fishing and hunting are prohibited.

Getting around

  • Boat

    There are no roads, so travel is by boat or on foot. The government lists 49 sites that ships carrying up to 200 passengers may approach. Some may be closed during breeding season or unsuitable for landing. Larger ships are permitted at six sites, including Grytviken.

  • On foot

    Mountains and huge glaciers make travel over land difficult. You need suitable equipment and skills for travelling in remote country. The full Shackleton Traverse crosses glaciers and requires mountaineering skills. Visiting groups usually walk only the final, lower 6 km from Fortuna Bay to Stromness.

What to see and do

  • Grytviken

    Visit the museum, old church and grave of Ernest Shackleton. This former whaling station is the island’s main settlement.

  • St Andrew’s Bay

    Huge numbers of king penguins gather here. Thousands of elephant seals and fur seals also occupy the shore.

  • Salisbury Plain

    See an enormous king penguin breeding colony, along with many other penguins and seals.

  • Prion Island

    Parts of this island can be visited to see wandering albatross. A boardwalk helps visitors reach the viewing area while protecting fragile plants.

  • Cooper Bay

    This bay has South Georgia’s most accessible macaroni penguin colony.

  • Drygalski Fjord

    Cruise ships often visit this steep-sided inlet for its glaciers and scenery. It also has a small breeding colony of Weddell seals.

Money

Typical costs

  • Staying ashore overnight requires special expedition approval and an extra fee of £1000 per group.
  • Most boats offer satellite phone calls for US$2–US$5 per minute.
  • Landing permission involves fees, which your cruise operator or expedition leader arranges.

Staying safe

  • Expect rough seas and possible seasickness, even on a large ship.
  • Travel over land requires suitable equipment and skills for remote, mountainous terrain.
  • The full Shackleton Traverse is dangerous and crosses glaciers. It requires mountaineering skills.
  • Much of the abandoned whaling stations at Leith Harbour and Stromness is unsafe.

Local customs

Do

  • Follow landing restrictions and closures during wildlife breeding seasons.
  • Use the boardwalk on Prion Island to help protect fragile plants.
  • Report any suspected rat sighting. A photo can help identify it.

Don't

  • Do not land on Bird Island or Albatross Island.
  • Do not take food ashore unless you have expedition permission.
  • Do not fish or hunt.
  • Do not introduce reindeer, which previously damaged plants and bird nests.
  • Do not try to kill a suspected rat yourself.

Staying healthy

  • The sea crossing can cause seasickness, even for experienced sailors.

Phone and internet

  • There is no publicly available internet access.

Where to stay

  • Visitors sleep on their boats, which the source describes as the safest and most comfortable option.
  • Any overnight stay ashore counts as an expedition. It requires special approval and an extra fee of £1000 per group.

Outdoor adventures in South Georgia

South Georgia Island has huge penguin colonies, seals, albatrosses and dramatic glacier scenery. Wildlife watching is the main outdoor attraction, while the mountainous interior offers a demanding trek linked to Ernest Shackleton.

  • St Andrew's Bay wildlife watching

    WildlifeSt Andrew's Bay

    Watch wildlife along the bay's sandy shore. Transport and landing arrangements are not specified.

  • Shackleton Traverse

    TrekKing Haakon Bay to Stromness, via Possession Bay and Fortuna Bay

    Hard

    Join an organised trek that follows Shackleton's crossing of the island.

    • The route crosses hazardous glaciers and mountains.
    • Mountaineering skills are required.

  • Fortuna Bay to Stromness hike

    HikeFortuna Bay to Stromness

    Visiting groups usually walk this final, low-lying section of the Shackleton Traverse.

    • The old whaling station at Stromness is mostly derelict and unsafe.

  • Salisbury Plain penguin watching

    WildlifeSalisbury Plain

    Visit Salisbury Plain to see its king penguin breeding colony. Transport and landing arrangements are not specified.

  • Cooper Bay macaroni penguin watching

    WildlifeCooper Bay

    Visit the macaroni penguin colony at Cooper Bay. Transport and landing arrangements are not specified.

  • Prion Island albatross watching

    WildlifePrion Island, east of Salisbury Plain

    Parts of Prion Island may be visited. Follow the boardwalk from the landing point.

  • Right Whale Bay seal and penguin watching

    WildlifeNorth coast

    September–November for elephant seals and king penguins

    Visit on a cruise ship that stops at Right Whale Bay.

  • Elsehul wildlife watching

    WildlifeElsehul

    Visit the mainland cove of Elsehul. Landing is almost impossible in December and January because fur seals crowd the beaches.

    • Large numbers of aggressive fur seals make December and January landings very difficult.

  • Drygalski Fjord glacier and seal watching

    WildlifeDrygalski Fjord

    Visit by cruise ship; the fjord is a common cruise destination.

  • Willis Island seabird watching

    WildlifeWillis Island

    Hard

    Access requires a hazardous landing on a rocky cliff, followed by a steep climb over rocks and through clumps of grass.

    • The cliff landing is hazardous.
    • The ascent is steep and crosses rough ground.

People and safety in South Georgia

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 0 of 99 countries can visit South Georgia easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Entry permit required99

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa0 of 54 countries
  • Americas0 of 18 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries
  • Asia0 of 9 countries
  • Europe0 of 4 countries

Questions

Is South Georgia part of United Kingdom?

South Georgia is a territory linked to United Kingdom, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United Kingdom.

Does a United Kingdom visa let me visit South Georgia?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United Kingdom may not cover South Georgia. Check the South Georgia visa page for your passport.

Where is South Georgia Island?

It is 1390 km southeast of the Falkland Islands and 2150 km from South America. It is administered by the United Kingdom.

Can I fly there or take a ferry?

No. There is no airstrip or ferry service; tourists arrive on cruise or expedition ships.

How do I travel around the island?

Travel is by boat or on foot because there are no roads. Mountains and glaciers make travel over land difficult.

Where will I sleep?

Visitors sleep on their boats. Sleeping ashore requires special expedition approval and an extra fee of £1000 per group.

Can I bring a packed lunch ashore?

No food may be taken ashore unless you have permission for an expedition. Fishing and hunting are also prohibited.

What wildlife can I see?

The island has huge numbers of penguins, seals and other birds. St Andrew’s Bay and Salisbury Plain have enormous king penguin colonies.

Can a beginner walk the full Shackleton Traverse?

The full route is dangerous, crosses glaciers and requires mountaineering skills. Visiting groups usually walk only the final, lower 6 km from Fortuna Bay to Stromness.

Can I use the internet or call home?

There is no public internet access. Most boats offer satellite phone calls for US$2–US$5 per minute.

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