Michael S. Nolan: King penguins on beach
Ralph Lee Hopkins: Wandering albatross; king penguin/zodiac landing; king penguin crowd; king penguin photographers; Gold Harbor zodiac landing; black-browed albatross; southern elephant seals
Stewart Cohan: Flying albatross
An In-Depth Immersion in the Wildlife Spectacle of the Southern Ocean Islands
Steeped in the lore of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the whalers who navigated these rugged coastlines, South Georgia hosts some of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Our expedition ships take you to beaches where enormous colonies of squawking king penguins stretch to the horizon. Meet gentoo and macaroni penguins, too, and share the sand with 8,000-pound battling elephant seals. Wade through tussock grass on a hillside dotted with nesting albatross, paddle a kayak alongside curious fur seals, and cruise by Zodiac among five different whale species as icebergs bob past. And there’s plenty of human heritage in the subantarctic to explore too, from the history of intrepid steamships heading around Cape Horn to modern-day Falklanders who pay homage to their Scottish roots by farming sheep for fine wool and enjoying the cozy ritual of afternoon tea.
Trip Highlights
A Wildlife ImmersionOn South Georgia, walk among hundreds of thousands of king penguins, watch Magellanic penguins peek from their burrows, and see Weddell and Antarctic fur seals
Falklands DiscoveriesAdmire the Falklands' endangered black-browed albatross, with 70 percent of the world population breeding here, and explore the capital of Stanley, steeped in Scottish heritage
Follow the Path of ShackletonHike in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose famed expedition was beset by tragedy in 1914, and ponder his tale of survival at the site where all were saved in 1916
Sail with the World Leader in Conservation-Focused Small Ship Cruising
We’re proud to offer a worldwide slate of Adventure Cruises through our partner Lindblad Expeditions. Nat Hab joined forces with Lindblad in 2016 to expand our mutual collection of nature adventures. Founded in 1958 by Lars-Eric Lindblad, the company pioneered eco-conscious expeditions for “citizen explorers" and today is the world leader in conservation-focused small-ship cruises. Our Adventure Specialists are intimately familiar with the ships and itineraries and are on call to answer any questions you might have. What makes this expedition stand out? Take a look:
An In-Depth Encounter with the Wildlife Spectacles of the Southern Ocean
For travelers who may have already visited the ice-bound reaches of Antarctica, this is a fresh opportunity to discover more of the incredible wildlife the Southern Ocean islands have to offer. Penguins are paramount, and this itinerary offers extended time and attention to gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap, rockhopper, macaroni and king penguins that inhabit these islands on a staggering scale.
A Top Team of Experts & Outstanding Amenities Enhance Your Exploration
The combination of a small expedition ship, ample tools like Zodiacs and kayaks for close-up exploration, and an experienced leadership team assures an engaging and immersive experience. Travel with an Expedition Leader, eight naturalists and historians, a National Geographic photographer, a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, a Global Perspectives guest speaker and an undersea specialist who scuba-dives into the icy waters to share live underwater images during your voyage. Plus, the ship’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) brings back underwater images from up to 1,000 feet deep—farther than any diver can go.
Flexibility to Follow Whales and Other Wildlife
With many decades and hundreds of expeditions' worth of experience, our captain, Expedition Leader and shipboard staff are able to deliver an unparalleled experience, with flexibility a hallmark of expedition cruising style. That means that when a pod of orcas, or a sighting of fin, humpback, minke or sperm whales occurs, our captain will halt or re-route the ship to give you a close-up view on the action.
Travel with a National Geographic Photographer
Penguins in massive rookeries are a photography highlight in South Georgia and the Falklands. Add Weddell and crabeater seals, a rebounding population of Antarctic fur seals, and the breathtaking sight of the albatross in flight, displaying the world’s largest wingspan, and your wildlife photo opportunities are unparalleled. A National Geographic photographer and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor accompany every expedition. These pros are by your side to provide composition advice, camera tips and other photography skills that ensure you’ll go home with outstanding images.
Meet Local Residents of the Falkland Islands
This voyage offers a chance to meet the welcoming Falklanders and experience a slice of daily life experienced by the islands' 2,500 residents in this far-flung corner of the world. The history of the Falklands is steeped in intrigue, from whaling stations to the islands' status as a ship-repair port after rough Drake Passage voyages, to refueling steamships bound for Cape Horn and the epic tale of Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition. Walk in Shackleton’s footsteps, then settle in for cream tea and conversation about raising some of the world’s finest wool.
We’re Committed to the Planet
Natural Habitat Adventure is a standard-setter in eco-conscious travel. We were the world’s first 100-percent carbon-neutral travel company. And we continue to break innovative ground in adopting practices that help to protect our global environment. Because of our concern for the environment, we are pleased to partner with Lindblad Expeditions for our Adventure Cruises, a company that shares our values and commitment to the planet.
Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our environmental commitment and the outstanding quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund has chosen Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation we’re very proud of! When you book your Lindblad Expeditions cruise with us, a portion of your trip fee supports WWF.
Trace pioneering routes in the far northern reaches of the Arctic, including the quest for the legendary Northwest Passage, as we sail from Greenland to Baffin Island.
Travel with polar experts aboard a small expedition ship—encounter prolific wildlife and colossal icebergs amid the matchless wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Encounter raw beauty and remote Arctic landscapes from our luxury expedition camp near the edge of the Greenland ice sheet. Explore by boat, kayak and on foot, where very few travelers ever venture.