South Georgia

South Georgia is a 100 mile long island located over 800 miles southeast of the Falkland Islands.  The weather is harsh with cold, wind and frequent precipitation.  The rich seas surrounding South Georgia support millions of penguins and seals.  King, macaroni, gentoo and chinstrap penguins live there.  Several type of albatrosses are also found. 


South Georgia is home to 95 percent of the world's antarctic fur seals.  Male fur seals live 15 years while females live around 25 years.  Males are up to 6 feet long and can weigh nearly 500 pounds.  Pups are born in late November to early January and are nursed for 4 months.  Southern elephant seals can weight as much as 8000 pounds.  Dominant males have large harems and are known as "beachmasters."  Pups are born in October and nursed for over 3 weeks when their mothers return to the sea to feed.  The pups swim to the sea when 5 weeks old.  Adult elephant seals can dive to nearly 8000 feet and can hold their breath up to 2 hours.


Since South Georgia is only accessible by sea, few visitors travel there. South Georgia is home to the British Antarctica Survery.  Sir Ernest Shackleton, the famous Antarctica explore is buried at the Whaler's Cemetery in Grytviken along with his first mate, Frank Wild.   

South Georgia

Antarctic Fur Seals

Newborn Pup Intial Bond

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Antarctic Fur Seals

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Antarctic Fur Seal

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seals

King Edward Cove

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seal

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seal

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


Antarctic Fur Seal

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


King Penguins

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


King Penguin

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


King Penguins

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


Chinstrap Penguins

Cooper Bay

South Georgia


Marconi Penguin

Cooper Bay

South Georgia


Brown Skua

Gold Harbor

South Georgia

Sir Ernest Shakleton

2/15/1874- 1/5/1922

Memorial Cross

Grytviken

South Georgia


Antarctic Fur Seals

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Antarctic Fur Seal

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seals

King Edward Cove

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seal

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seals

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


Southern Elephant Seals

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


King Penguins

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


King Penguins

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


King Penguins

Gold Harbor

South Georgia


Chinstrap Penguins

Cooper Bay

South Georgia


Antarctic Tern

Fortuna Bay

South Georgia


Northern Giant Petrel

Cooper Bay

South Georgia


Drygalski  Fjord

South Georgia