South Georgia & the Falkland Islands - A True Adventure Experience 2026
Join us for a remarkable experience that takes you through the western Antarctic Peninsula, through Elephant Island to South Georgia. The South Georgia and Antarctica air-cruise allows you to sail through the nutrient-rich waters and, each day, disembark with our expert polar guides having time to either hike, snowshoe, or kayak in bays nearby. As we make our way to South Georgia, you will follow in the footsteps of famous Antarctic explorers, like Ernest Shackleton, and learn about their daring southerly adventures. After reaching South Georgia, visit some of the largest colonies of penguins in the world, including the king penguin, and see the nesting grounds of thousands of albatrosses.
Highlights
• Each day you can disembark your expedition vessel by zodiac and explore the landscapes together with our expert polar guides.
• You can join our kayaking program to visit the beautiful bays and parts of the coast where our ship cannot go.
• As you sail the austral waters of the southern oceans on your way to South Georgia you may see migrating whales.
• Enjoy amazing views like these Icebergs in South Georgia.
• Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the White Continent and start your expedition directly in Antarctica.
• South Georgia is home to some of the most interesting wildlife in the world, like the Northern giant petrel.
Antarctica21 staff members welcome you in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM. Transfer to your hotel, visit Explorers House, and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. At Explorers House, enjoy local gastronomy as you meet your fellow adventurers.
A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your adventure begins as you exit the airplane, and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. A short vehicle transfer takes you to the shore of Fildes Bay where a Zodiac takes you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
Sailing north, we hope to stop at Elephant Island. It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on to South Georgia. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will see the island from the ship.
As we sail northward, our historian and our naturalist guides offer a series of presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said to have the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.
As the ship heads to South America, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
Approach the South American continent and sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego and Navarino Island as you make your way to Ushuaia.
Arrival to Ushuaia, where your journey ends.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Porthole Cabin
Triple Suite
Veranda Cabin
Deluxe Veranda Cabin
Suite
Single Cabin
PH Suite
Vessel Type: Expedition
Length: 90.7 m - 298 ft.
Passenger Capacity: 100 (only 69 passengers for Air-Cruise operations)
Built: 2018
MV Magellan Explorer features 50 passenger suites and cabins in five categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. The cabins are very spacious, ranging in size from 40 m2 (440 sq. ft.) to 20 m2 (220 sq. ft.). All double cabins have two twin beds that can be configured as one queen-size bed, offering great flexibility to our guests. 42 cabins feature a large window and a private balcony, while 8 cabins feature a porthole. All cabins feature a private bathroom and a sitting area.
Public areas include a large, forward-facing observation lounge, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting, two meeting rooms, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration. Optional adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.
Specific measures have been taken to minimize MV Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art engines that meet MARPOL’s stringent Tier III emission standards. To minimize fuel consumption, a waste heat recovery system recycles the heat produced by the ship’s engines and repurposes it to power the ship’s heating system and to warm the water used on board.
Kayaking (895.00 USD)
Inclusions
• Port Fees/Taxes
• All meals on board the ship
• Complimentary Coffee/Tea and water throughout the voyage
• Complimentary Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner while on board
• Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage
• Group transfers airport - hotel on the Day of the Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica
• Group transfers hotel - airport on last Day of the itinerary
• All Zodiac excursions
• On board lectures
• Evening entertainment
• Comprehensive Pre-departure materials
• Rubber boots to borrow for the voyage
• 1 overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on the Day of the Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica
Exclusions
• International airfares
• Pre and post voyage accommodation unless specified in the itinerary
• Travel insurance including mandatory Medical Evacuation insurance
• Beverages not listed in inclusions
• Meals when not on board the ship unless specified in the itinerary
• Transfers not listed in the itinerary
• Passport and visa costs if applicable
• Personal expenses including any medical expenses incurred on board
• Optional excursions (eg kayaking where available)
• Gratuities (recommended USD$15.00 per passenger per day)
Expedition
Our Associates Include
