Antarctica Shore Excursions

The number of shore excursions you can expect will vary depending on board which type of ship you choose to spend your Antarctica experience. The smaller research and expedition ships try to allow you to spend as much time as possible off the ship. Shore excursions will take place on sturdy, inflatable Zodiac boats with small groups of around 10-12 people.

Some expedition liners also have Zodiacs, but will have more limited opportunities to make shore excursions due to the larger number of people on board.

You would normally break into small excursion groups which share similar interests – you choose which group you’d like to go with at each outing.

Itineraries including South Georgia allow you to visit some of the many historical sites on the island. South Georgia allows for some concentrated wildlife viewing. Located on the cusp of the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica, South Georgia attracts an overwhelming number of sub-Antarctic animals, which come ashore to breed. Masses of King Penguins blanket the beaches with over 100,000 crowded onto Salisbury Plain; fur and elephant seals form huge colonies on the foreshore. Other wildlife you can expect to see are black-browed albatrosses, cape petrels, giant petrels, Antarctic prions, rockhopper penguins, and reindeer.

The Falkland Islands

Just like all of the Polar Regions our team have travelled extensively around the Falkland Islands which are home to some of the most amazing wildlife and birdlife (including endemic species) in the world including Rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, colonies of black-browed albatross, all of which nest in the tussock grass plus elephant seal, Orca, Comerson Dolphin plus many more species.

Close encounters are guaranteed so also ideal for photography and observing at close quarters. History buffs can explore Port Stanley – the world’s most isolated capital city. From here you can visit Gypsy Cove Penguin Colony and Cape Pembroke Lighthouse. 1982 Battle field tours are also a must around Stanley, San Carlos, Goose Green and Pebble Island all of which can be arranged by WILDFOOT Travel.