South Georgia Island: A paradise for wildlife
South Georgia Island is where history, nature and adventure converge. It is a remote sub-Antarctic Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Its isolation and harsh climate have shaped its distinctive landscapes and ecosystem. South Georgia, the wildlife paradise, is one of the least visited places on the planet, with less than 10,000 visitors annually.

This island is known for its abundant wildlife, stunning and rugged landscape, steep mountain ranges, glaciers, and fjords. South Georgia is a true nature lovers’ paradise. Furthermore, it is known as the final resting place for Sir Ernest Shackleton, the famous polar explorer.


In addition, South Georgia also has a rich history, dating back to the early days of exploration and discovery. In 1775, Captain James Cook became the first European to land on the island. Many years later, South Georgia Island established a whaling base during the 19th century.
Size
The island is approximately 170 kilometres long and 40 kilometres wide, with a total land area of around 3,7552 km. Its capital is King Edward Point, near Grytviken. Being an overseas British outpost, its currency is the British Pound. South Georgia has no permanent residents due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure. However, there are around 30 people who come and go to maintain the research station.


Geography
The island is dominated by several mountain ranges, the highest of which is the Allardyce Range. Mount Paget, part of the Allardyce Range, is the highest peak on the island, rising to an elevation of approximately 2,935 metres. Interestingly, the beaches are a mix of stones and black sand, and some rocky outcrops are scattered throughout the island.
Due to its location in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, South Georgia Island experiences significant snowfall and ice cover. This ice and snow contribute to the island’s glacial formations, covering substantial parts of the island. South Georgia is still known for its rugged terrain and sterile environment for humans. The island has 11 peaks rising more than 2,000 metres above sea level.

The mountains shield the island and east coast from the prevailing winds from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. The island also has 161 glaciers, several of which are slowly melting. The most famous of these glaciers is the Shackleton Glacier, named after the legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
South Georgia Weather
The weather in South Georgia is as wild as its location is remote. During the winter, temperatures drop below freezing, with massive snowfalls covering the entire island. Storms and the seas around the island are challenging to navigate. Because of this, no licensed tour operators run expeditions to South Georgia in the winter.
In the summertime, the weather is warmer. Temperatures reach the low double digits centigrade, with average temperatures just above freezing. Rain and snow are expected at any time of year, even during the summer. Always ensure you pack appropriate clothing for all conditions.


and the weather was milder.
Wildlife
One of the most remarkable features of South Georgia is that it is a wildlife paradise. This remote island is home to millions of seabirds. These include penguins, albatrosses, and petrels, which make their nests on the cliffs and beaches. In addition, the island is also a breeding ground for seals, whales, and other marine mammals.

Southern Elephant Seals live in harmony.
Antarctic Fur Seals
Antarctic Fur seals are everywhere in South Georgia. Despite their cuteness, they can be pretty vicious, especially when the females arrive on the island. They are very territorial and usually bark if one gets too close. However, they may lash out and bite if you get too close to them. Their bite is notoriously nasty and can become highly infected. Adults weigh around 90 kilos and are 1.4m long.


Southern Elephant Seals
Southern Elephant Seals are found on most of the landings. They are not usually aggressive towards humans. However, the males charge each other to fight over control of the harems. It can be dangerous if you get in between two male elephant seals. Everyone who visits South Georgia cannot help but see the island as a paradise for wildlife.



Whaling Era – A Tragic History
Historically, Norwegians played a significant role in the whaling industry in South Georgia. Specifically, Grytviken, the largest of the whaling stations in South Georgia, was founded by Norwegian Captain Carl Anton Larsen in 1904. The station played a central role in the whaling activities in the region, and at its peak, it had a substantial workforce.
Several whaling stations were established in South Georgia, including Grytviken, Leith Harbour, and Stromness. These stations were primarily used for processing whale carcasses and extracting valuable products such as oil and whalebone.
The sheltered harbours and abundant marine life, particularly whales and seals, attracted whalers worldwide. They turned South Georgia into a bustling hub for the whaling industry. Whales were hunted for their high-value oil. The oil was used worldwide for oil lamps and soap, their bones for corsets, and meat for food. The island’s natural resources were exploited, leading to declining whale and seal populations. Whales and seals weren’t the only animals hunted in the region. Elephant seals were also under attack, and millions of animals were killed over the decades. Hunting and killing whales, seals and elephant seals spanned over 60 years. Whale hunting was aggressive and over-fished around South Georgia. Consequently, the whaling plants were forced to close in 1966 due to a lack of whales.


Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874 – 1922)
Sir Ernest Shackleton is one of the world’s greatest polar explorers. It was in Grytviken in 1914 that Shackleton started preparations for the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. His journey was unsuccessful due to the abundance of pack ice his ship, the Endurance, encountered in the Weddell Sea. The Endurance became trapped, and for the next 18 months, his men lived in camps on the ice, trying to return to safety. Shackleton took a small group of men on his 7m long lifeboat, the James Caird, on a 1300km journey back to South Georgia looking for help. Despite all odds, he managed to save the lives of every single one of his crew who had remained behind on Elephant Island.

The Falklands War in South Georgia
On April 2, 1982, Argentina invaded the British-controlled Falkland Islands to gain control of the archipelago. They believed it rightfully belonged to Argentina. The war was short, lasting 74 days, when Britain successfully beat the Argentinians, forcing them to surrender. The first strike’ was made in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Conservation and preservation
Strict regulations have been implemented to protect the island’s delicate ecosystems. These regulations led to the remarkable recovery of several species. This includes fur seals and Southern Elephant Seals.
Scientists and researchers worldwide visit due to its isolation and unique ecosystems. They study various aspects of its wildlife and the climate to monitor the region’s environmental processes.
Global awareness about the importance of protecting this fragile ecosystem and the impact of human activities on remote wilderness areas is increasing. It serves as an example of how concerted conservation efforts can lead to positive outcomes. In recent years, more significant efforts have been made to protect the island’s unique biodiversity, with strict regulations for visiting ships and human visitors to minimise their environmental impact.
Protecting wildlife, their habitats and the glaciers is of utmost importance. Wildlife, their habitat, and the glaciers are all needed and are of utmost importance to protect.

Quarantine
Due to the remoteness of this island, it is essential to protect its flora and fauna. The South Georgia government works to ensure it remains a paradise for its wildlife. Therefore, it has strict quarantine measures.
During your voyage to South Georiga, all tour operators will have special cleaning sessions and a dedicated area. Cleaning boots is essential before going to a landing and when returning to the ship. This requires hosing and scrubbing boots and walking through a disinfectant foot bath. Upon arrival in Grytviken, a South Georgia customs official will do a complete ship inspection for any stowaway animals, especially rats, and an inspection of people’s clothing.
One inspiring story about the protection of South Georgia is the rat epidemic that plagued the island for decades. Rats were transplanted onto the island from ships in the past that didn’t use proper quarantine measures to stop the introduction of foreign species. These pests wreaked havoc on the island, breeding in incredible numbers and decimating the local wildlife. An enormous rat eradication program was implemented, and consequently, in 2018, the South Georgia Heritage Trust excitedly declared South Georgia rat-free.

Getting to South Georgia
Tourism to South Georgia is strictly controlled. The only way to get to South Georgia is by a polar ship that can withstand the icy and rough seas. One can travel to South Georgia on a direct tour or as part of an Antarctic or sub-Antarctic expedition. Ships depart from either Ushuaia, Argentina or Stanley, Falkland Islands. The voyage takes 2 – 4 days to reach the island, depending on the seas.

Southern Ocean (photo courtesy of Wild Photo, Norway).
While visas are not required to visit South Georgia, everyone is required to register with the South Georgia government. Tour companies organise this for passengers in advance. The first landing is always at Grytviken, where biosecurity officials will provide additional information about the island. Everyone must disembark; there is time to view the museum, old whaling station, church, and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave.
What is the best time to visit South Georgia?
Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and massive snowfalls cover the island. The seas around the island can be very rough due to storms, making for tricky landings.
It should be noted that the best time to visit is during October – March during the summer months. The weather can be cold, harsh, and challenging for the rest of the year. However, rain and snow are expected during the summer, and temperatures can be frigid. During the summer, wildlife encounters are more promising. The male elephant seals court females, and the king penguin chicks grow up.
Landings
There are several landings on South Georgia Island. Each ship will have its detailed itinerary. However, some landings are impossible due to the extreme weather, rough seas, and wildlife issues like avian flu. In addition, some beaches are packed with too many Southern Elephant Seals and Atlantic fur seals on the landing sites, thus making it impossible to land. On my recent trip, we could not land in one area due to avian flu affecting some wildlife. Furthermore, only one ship at a time is permitted to land at any site to minimise tourism’s impact. Therefore, schedules are set months in advance.

Grytviken
It is the most significant settlement in South Georgia. It is home to the island’s largest whaling station and the eternal resting place where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried. The South Georgia Museum also has plenty of information about the whaling history and South Georgia. The quaint Grytviken Church, built in 1912, is still operational.


Helpful hints to plan your trip to South Georgia
A Dry Bag – to keep all gear dry due to the unpredictable weather and seaspray when travelling on zodiacs.
Camera gear – zoom lenses are a must due to the mandatory required distances from some wildlife. A minimum 200 mm lens, but a 400 – 600 lens will be better. A wide-angle lens for landscape shots is also needed. A waterproof rain cover for camera gear is a must.
Seasickness Tablets: Crossings are very rough for anyone prone to seasickness.
Waterproof boots or overboots – most of the landings are wet landings. Many tour companies will provide them.
Waterproof over trousers – the ground is wet or snowy, plus plenty of penguins and other animal scat are everywhere.
Warm thermal layering – a warm, windproof, waterproof jacket, warm beanie, and gloves are necessary. Bring hand warmers.

For adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers seeking a truly wild and pristine environment, South Georgia is an enchanting paradise waiting to be explored.
Whether captivated by its towering peaks, mesmerised by its glaciers, or awestruck by its wildlife, this remote island offers an unforgettable experience for those willing to venture to the end of the Earth.

Comments are closed.