South Georgia In Depth

A dedicated 15-day expedition devoted entirely to South Georgia. Discover immense king penguin colonies, elephant seal battles on untouched beaches, and dramatic glacial scenery with an exclusive group of just 36 guests on board.


Falklands - South Georgia Island
© SAT

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights on board
Starts: Port Stanley, Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Ends: Port Stanley, Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.


Included


Embark on a dedicated 15-day expedition designed solely around South Georgia, one of the world's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. With an aim for eight full days devoted to the island, you'll have the luxury of time to discover its spectacular coastline, historic landing sites, dramatic mountain scenery, and extraordinary abundance of wildlife. This focused itinerary allows guests to experience the island at an unhurried pace that few polar voyages can match.

Early Austral spring reveals South Georgia at a remarkable moment. Touch down on frost-covered beaches where king penguins gather in their hundreds of thousands and massive elephant seal bulls compete for territory. The voyage combines daily Zodiac cruises, shore landings, photography guidance, and historical visits to Grytviken and Stromness to retrace Shackleton's steps, all delivered within an exclusive micro-cruise setup of just 36 guests on board.

Highlights:
Dedicated expedition featuring up to eight full days exploring South Georgia Island.
Witness massive king penguin colonies at Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay.
Close wildlife encounters with competing elephant seal bulls and soaring wandering albatrosses.
Historical visits to Grytviken, the historic whaling station, and Shackleton's final resting place.
Exclusive micro-cruise setting for just 36 guests with simultaneous Zodiac deployments.

Itinerary

© SAT
© SAT
© SAT

Day 1: Port Stanley, Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Embarkation day
Most guests fly into Mount Pleasant Airport, where the expedition team will meet you. Luggage is transferred directly to the vessel. We take a charter bus into Stanley together. If you are already on the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, join us at the Tourist Office from 15:00. Afternoon at leisure to visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or enjoy a pint at the Globe. Aboard by 18:00 for mandatory safety briefings, followed by a welcome cocktail and dinner for the official start of the expedition.

Day 2-3: Southern Ocean
Scotia Sea crossing
The Scotia Sea passage. Aureum's dynamic fin stabilisers keep the crossing manageable; the onboard programme holds your attention between polar science lectures, photography workshops, and personal accounts from the expedition team. On day 3, we hope to cross the Antarctic Convergence and pass Shag Rocks; isolated jagged islets alive with seabirds, seals, and whales. South Georgia is close.

Day 4-11: South Georgia
Wildlife sanctuary and historic sites
Our approach takes us past Bird Island to observe vast numbers of nesting albatrosses. Exploration of iconic locations such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay, home to massive king penguin colonies. Formal customs stop at Grytviken to visit the museum, the abandoned whaling station, and the whalers' cemetery where Shackleton and Frank Wild rest. Depending on conditions, options include Elsehul Bay, Fortuna Bay, Stromness Bay, Cooper Bay, Gold Harbour, Drygalski Fjord, Nordenskjöld Glacier, and King Haakon Bay.

Day 12-14: Southern Ocean
Northbound ocean transit
The vessel turns north. The return passage mirrors the crossing south with lectures, workshops, time on deck watching seabirds, and the rhythm of life at sea. We hope to reach the Falkland / Malvinas Islands during the second half of day 14 for a final shore visit, conditions permitting.

Day 15: Port Stanley, Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Disembarkation and transfer
Disembarkation after breakfast. A briefing from local airport authorities on timings and procedures. The expedition team will organise the transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport for onward flights.

Itinerary

Day 1: Port Stanley, Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Embarkation day
Most guests fly into Mount Pleasant Airport, where the expedition team will meet you. Luggage is transferred directly to the vessel. We take a charter bus into Stanley together. If you are already on the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, join us at the Tourist Office from 15:00. Afternoon at leisure to visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or enjoy a pint at the Globe. Aboard by 18:00 for mandatory safety briefings, followed by a welcome cocktail and dinner for the official start of the expedition.

Day 2-3: Southern Ocean
Scotia Sea crossing
The Scotia Sea passage. Aureum's dynamic fin stabilisers keep the crossing manageable; the onboard programme holds your attention between polar science lectures, photography workshops, and personal accounts from the expedition team. On day 3, we hope to cross the Antarctic Convergence and pass Shag Rocks; isolated jagged islets alive with seabirds, seals, and whales. South Georgia is close.

Day 4-11: South Georgia
Wildlife sanctuary and historic sites
Our approach takes us past Bird Island to observe vast numbers of nesting albatrosses. Exploration of iconic locations such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay, home to massive king penguin colonies. Formal customs stop at Grytviken to visit the museum, the abandoned whaling station, and the whalers' cemetery where Shackleton and Frank Wild rest. Depending on conditions, options include Elsehul Bay, Fortuna Bay, Stromness Bay, Cooper Bay, Gold Harbour, Drygalski Fjord, Nordenskjöld Glacier, and King Haakon Bay.

Day 12-14: Southern Ocean
Northbound ocean transit
The vessel turns north. The return passage mirrors the crossing south with lectures, workshops, time on deck watching seabirds, and the rhythm of life at sea. We hope to reach the Falkland / Malvinas Islands during the second half of day 14 for a final shore visit, conditions permitting.

Day 15: Port Stanley, Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Disembarkation and transfer
Disembarkation after breakfast. A briefing from local airport authorities on timings and procedures. The expedition team will organise the transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport for onward flights.


© SAT
© SAT
© SAT


INCLUSIONS

Scheduled transfers between Mount Pleasant Airport and the vessel in Stanley, as specified in the itinerary.
Welcome refreshments on embarkation.
Leadership throughout the voyage by the experienced Expedition Team, including lectures, workshops, Zodiac cruising and shore landings.
All scheduled Zodiac cruises, transfers and shore landings, subject to weather, sea and operational conditions.
Shipboard accommodation with daily cabin service and full board, including tea, coffee and drinking water; selected beverages served with meals.
Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi; availability and speed cannot be guaranteed in remote polar regions.
Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots for shore landings.
Access to the ship's medical facilities and expedition doctor; treatment and medication may be chargeable.
Photography guidance and workshops, plus permits, landing fees, port charges and applicable operational fees.
Comprehensive pre-departure information and assistance from the Secret Atlas team.

EXCLUSIONS

International and domestic flights, including flights to and from the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, unless expressly listed as included.
Passport, visa, vaccination, reciprocity and other entry requirements or charges.
Comprehensive travel insurance, as required under the Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Excess baggage charges and luggage exceeding any published flight allowance.Additional accommodation, meals and transfers not expressly listed as included.
Personal expenses, including laundry, bar purchases outside the included service, telephone charges and optional premium internet services.
Medical treatment, medication, evacuation or repatriation costs.
Optional activities, private arrangements or independent excursions not expressly listed as included.
Gratuities for shipboard crew and Expedition Team.


Dates & Rates


Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 02 Oct 2027 - 16 Oct 2027 (5529)
Classic Twin
$19,995
Signature Twin
$22,995
Classic Single
$24,995
Signature Single
$26,995
Signature Suite
$28,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 02 Oct 2027 - 16 Oct 2027 (5533)
Classic Twin
$19,995
Signature Twin
$22,995
Classic Single
$24,995
Signature Single
$26,995
Signature Suite
$28,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 16 Oct 2027 - 30 Oct 2027 (5530)
Classic Twin
$19,995
Signature Twin
$22,995
Classic Single
$24,995
Signature Single
$26,995
Signature Suite
$28,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 02 Sept 2028 - 16 Sept 2028 (5542)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$24,500
Classic Single
$26,500
Signature Single
$28,500
Signature Suite
$30,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 16 Sept 2028 - 30 Sept 2028 (5543)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$24,500
Classic Single
$26,500
Signature Single
$28,500
Signature Suite
$30,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 30 Sept 2028 - 14 Oct 2028 (5531)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$24,500
Classic Single
$26,500
Signature Single
$28,500
Signature Suite
$30,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 14 Oct 2028 - 28 Oct 2028 (5532)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$24,500
Classic Single
$26,500
Signature Single
$28,500
Signature Suite
$30,500

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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