Falklands and South Georgia Cruise

Alex Burridge – October 2026

THE FALKLAND ISLANDS AND SOUTH GEORGIA (NO ANTARCTIC PENINSULA)

If you’re interested in exploring the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in greater depth, including some of their less frequently visited locations, then please read on.

Most ships offer itineraries combining the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, and they are truly amazing voyages. However, if you’ve already visited the Antarctic Peninsula, or would simply like more time to explore the Falklands and South Georgia, I’d encourage you to look at these two exceptional cruises aboard Ultramarine, a Luxury-Expedition ship carrying 199 guests, and Ocean Explorer, an Expedition-Luxury ship carrying 136 guests.

Port Stanley Harbour – welcome to the Falkland Islands

Immature elephant seal amongst king penguins

Ultramarine

ULTRAMARINE AND OCEAN EXPLORER

• Ultramarine: Falkland Islands and South Georgia Wildlife Adventure

20 Days | 12 Oct 2028 – 31 Oct 2028 | Starts and ends in Buenos Aires

• Ocean Explorer: Falkland Islands and South Georgia Wildlife Adventure

20 Days | 13 Oct 2028 – 1 Nov 2028 | Starts in Puerto Madryn and ends in Ushuaia

Ocean Explorer

FOUR STANDOUT REASONS TO BOOK A FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA CRUISE

#1. TIMING

Both itineraries depart in mid-October, reaching South Georgia during the peak breeding season for elephant seals. Travel any later, and the huge males will have left the beaches and returned to sea to feed. After starving for two months, they may have lost up to a third of their body weight. Protecting a harem of female elephant seals is hard work!

Despite their enormous size and fierce protectiveness of their territory and the females within it, large bull elephant seals pose little threat to us. For me, witnessing the spectacle of these powerful animals fighting is a lasting memory of a visit to South Georgia in October.

Beachmasters – Bull Elephant seals South Georgia – October

Femal Elephant seals are all together different.

#2. STEEPLE JASON – FALKLAND ISLANDS

The Falkland Islands have an enormous amount to offer, from five species of penguins and numerous other bird species (including two endemics) to wonderful walks and a fascinating history.

Alongside more regularly visited locations such as West Point Island, Carcass Island, Saunders Island and, of course, Port Stanley, these voyages also venture to Steeple Jason, a group of islands north of the main archipelago. Here, you’ll find the world’s largest breeding colony of black-browed albatross, estimated to number around 150,000 pairs.

hundreds of thousands of black-browed albatross – Steeple Jason

black-browed albatross on nest turrets

black-browed fly-past

#3. KING HAAKON BAY – SOUTH GEORGIA

South Georgia is an extraordinary place. If you’ve read any of my articles, you’ll know just how highly I rate a visit here. It’s a powerful experience.

Few voyages visit King Haakon Bay, where Shackleton began his incredible trek across South Georgia to Stromness on the other side of the island. The bay is not only historically significant but also breathtakingly beautiful, with plenty of wildlife to discover.

King Haakon Bay – South Georgia

Elephant seals are found all around South Georgia

Giant Petrels – King Haakon Bay

#4. TIME

Arguably, time is the single most valuable factor on these voyages. Put simply, you spend more time in the Falkland Islands and on South Georgia than you would on itineraries that also include the Antarctic Peninsula. That additional time is fundamentally important, offering greater flexibility and more opportunities to explore.

Around 20 years ago, when working for a polar ship operator, I created a 25-day itinerary departing in October that included Steeple Jason, King Haakon Bay and the Antarctic Peninsula. Having designed an itinerary around these destinations myself, I believe these voyages offer an excellent experience.

Whether you’ve already visited the Peninsula or not, I believe these two departures provide some of the best opportunities to discover and explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in depth. Their timing, the locations they visit, and the time allowed for exploration make them particularly appealing for anyone wanting to experience these two very different and stunningly beautiful archipelagos.

Wandering Alabtross – Prion Island

Fortuna Bay – King penguin

South Georgia Pintail – one of three endemics on South Georgia

Macaroni Penguin – South Georgia

Antarctic Fur seal

Gryviken harbour – South Georgia

DEDICATED PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAMME

Both departures offer a dedicated photography programme, limited to just 16 participants. Guests head out in two Zodiacs, with a maximum of eight people in each, accompanied by a photographic expert. The programme costs an additional USD $1,595 per person and is also available on several other departures aboard Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer.

Most voyages have an onboard photography expert available to assist all guests, and these departures are no exception. The dedicated photography programme is an additional offering, providing extra expert photographic guides and a more specialised experience.

I believe this programme is of excellent value:

1. You will receive expert guidance to help capture the best memories from your trip.
2. You get to explore in a Zodiac with just 7 other guests. Zodiacs often carry 10-12 guests which can sometimes make photography a little more challenging. The additional space allows everyone a better opportunity to find the best position for a shot.
3. You will receive exclusive presentations back on-board to help you develop all aspects of your photography.

Steeple Jason

Gentoo penguin – Steeple Jason