South Georgia archipelago. South Sandwich Islands

We can say with full confidence that few of you have been to the island of South Georgia and there is nothing to be ashamed of, but absolutely everyone should know about it!

After reading this material, you will surely burn with a desire to visit this wonderful place, but getting to it is not at all easy. The fact is that planes do not fly to South Georgia, and ships do not sail, and there are no fishing boats here. Well, the distance from the nearest mainland is estimated at two thousand kilometers, so swimming is also not an option!

On big island 174 kilometers long, which was formed subsequently by volcanic activity, is inhabited by only a few people. The first is the representative of Great Britain, to which the island belongs, the second is the postmaster and two caretakers. Why are they there, you ask? We answer, in fact, you can get to the island, but only through the mediation of expeditionary ships. The nearest port from which ships depart is located in the very south of Argentina and bears the name of Uguaya.

First of all, the island attracts tourists with its virgin nature. More than 80% of the planet's albatrosses and 30 species of other birds nest on South Georgia alone, and in total the island has sheltered more than 60,000,000 seabirds! A huge number of penguins, about 2,000,000 seals, 300,000 elephant seals and other representatives of the marine fauna. Everything is under the close control of the UK, any attempt to hunt or capture is punishable by imprisonment.

There are also old fishing bases on the island, which were founded in the 18th century. In addition, South Georgia can offer its few tourists a visit to a small museum, and the Norwegian Church. But that's not all, there are several military barracks on the island that have remained since the Falklands War! By the way, each tourist undergoes a compulsory insurance procedure in the amount of 100,000 euros, although the time spent on the island rarely exceeds several hours.

Rest - is it necessarily beaches and excursions? But no! In South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, among the rocks and snow, you can spend an unforgettable time alone with the Antarctic nature.

Climate and recreation

The climatic conditions on the islands are quite severe. average temperature air drops to -29 °C, and rises only to +17 °C. The islands are subject to the action of winds, it can snow here at any moment.

In such conditions, it is almost impossible to organize tourism, so there are no hotels and resorts on the islands. But there are temporary settlements of expeditions studying the local fauna and climate.

Nevertheless, it is worth visiting the islands. Here you can watch Antarctic birds in natural conditions: albatrosses, skuas, petrels, cormorants, penguins. Only here there is a big horse - the only songbird in this region. Also found on the islands different kinds Antarctic mammals - whales, elephant seals, seals.

Attractions

The main attraction of the islands is landscapes and fauna. Their impressions will stay with you for a long time. They call for nature to be treated with care, as the ecosystem recovers very slowly due to the low temperature.

In addition, in the capital Grytviken, it is worth visiting the Whaling Museum. It was organized on a former whaling base, and its exposition is unique. The process itself can be seen here: South Georgia is still considered the center of whaling.

Visiting the islands cannot be called easy: not everyone can afford the harsh climate and the lack of the benefits of civilization. But if you still take the risk, then you will have something to be proud of, and the impressions of the snowy exotic will remain with you forever.

Cultural Features

South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands are practically uninhabited: there are no permanent residents. In the summer, scientific expeditions arrive to study the local nature, but by the winter they leave. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about the local culture.

Traveling here is considered extreme, since you will not find any medical centers or rescue services on the island, and you will have to wait a long time for help from the mainland.

Kitchen

If you like fish dishes, then you are here, because it is the basis of the local food. In the waters of the islands are found the most different types fish, from the familiar pike (icefish) and cod to more exotic ones: Patagonian toothfish and Antarctic krill. You will most likely have to cook them yourself, since there are no cafes and restaurants on the islands.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are British Overseas Territories. Due to the fact that these are subantarctic territories without a permanent population, the issuance of permission to enter here is strikingly different, and first of all, in that it has nothing to do with either the consulate or visa centers Great Britain. Visiting these territories is possible only as part of organized group(minimum 3 people, maximum 15) led by a guide. A list of companies licensed to organize such expeditions can be found at: https://iaato.org/home; You can visit the archipelago from March 20 to October 20; Aircraft do not fly into the territory of South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, the entry of ships and yachts is limited and requires special licenses and permits. Accordingly, you can only travel on one of the licensed ships; From candidates wishing to visit the archipelago, first of all, a clear idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhere and why they are going is required, as well as a reasonable assessment of health and fitness. In a harsh climate and the virtual absence of the possibility of providing qualified medical care (with the exception of emergency actions), the traveler must be clearly aware that any health problems can end in death; In accordance with the requirements of the administration of the archipelago, before traveling, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the rules of conduct and visiting South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands. Full information is provided by the company organizing the tour, and it can also be found on the official website of the islands: http://www.gov.gs; Applications for visiting are submitted no later than 60 days before the start of the expedition. Additionally, it is worth considering a few days for data processing by the tour operator organizing the trip;... Read more

You can get to South Georgia only if you become a member of the expedition. You can only come here by sea on one of the research ships. Processing procedure...

Grytviken 08:31 2°C
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Country population 30 people Territory 4066 km² Located on the continent -- Capital Grytviken Money pound sterling Domain zone.gs Telephone code countries --

Hotels

There are no hotels here. Because of the separation from the whole world, it’s just not possible to come here. Usually rare tourist groups overnight on a cruise ship.

The climate of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is: Variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year with periods of calm. Almost all precipitation falls in the form of snow.

Attractions

Untouched nature is the main attraction. A large colony of king penguins, seals and even whales are the main inhabitants of the animal world. Vegetable world very poor: there are no trees, only grasses, ferns and lichens.

Topography of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands: Most of the islands rise sharply from the sea. Largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains. The South Sandwich Islands have volcanic origin with some active volcanoes.

Museums

Surprisingly, there are few traces of civilization left on the islands, but there is a museum. The South Georgia Museum is located in Grytviken. The modest collection tells about the history of whaling, the discovery of the archipelago and nearby islands.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has resources like: : Fish.

Transport

The only real way to get to the archipelago is by sea. This is the most remote place in the whole world.

Standard of living

South Georgia and nearby islands are British overseas possessions. There has never been an indigenous population on the islands, who discovered the first archipelago is still unknown. There is no permanent population here, only British officials, scientists, members of various expeditions and their staff come here from time to time. In the last and the century before last, the islands were the base of hunters and whalers. Fishing is carried out here for several months of the year.

Cities

City of Grytviken - administrative center South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands. This is the most South Capital in the world. The city was founded at the beginning of the last century as a whaling base. Currently, it is abandoned, the created infrastructure has fallen into disrepair. Remains of the city 0 more fun for rare tourists visiting the archipelago as part of a trip to Antarctica.

General information

Official name - . island territories in the South Atlantic. Belonged since 1775 (South Georgia) and 1908 (South Sandwich Islands) and have the status overseas territory. The area is 4,066 km2. The population is 30 people. (for 2006). Official language- English. The capital is Grytviken. The monetary unit is the pound sterling.

The cold climate of these islands is influenced by Antarctic waters. The climate here is quite severe, but with changeable weather. At sea level, the air temperature ranges from 0° in winter to +8°C in summer. The lowest winter temperature is around -5°C, it rarely drops below -10°C. Snow or sleet can be expected at any time of the year, with precipitation in the order of 1500 mm per year. At an altitude of 300 m, a strip of eternal snow begins.

South Georgia is blown by the west wind, stopping briefly. In the east the climate is milder. When the foehn winds blow over the island, the weather becomes drier and warmer, then in summer the temperature can rise to +20°C. The water around the island is always cold, although it is practically not covered with ice, except for those places where the water is protected from the wind by bays. Icebergs are common here. The water temperature drops to 0°C by September and rises to +4°C by April.

The climate of the South Sandwich Islands is colder than that of South Georgia. The sea around the islands is ice-bound from mid-May to late November.

Story

South Georgia Island and the South Sandwich Islands were discovered English navigator James Cook. Three islands of the archipelago were discovered by the Russian imperial expedition led by Faddem Faddeevich Bellingshausen and Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev.

The history of the settlements goes back more than two centuries, during which fishing fishing villages were founded on the islands. Indigenous people was absent due to the remoteness of the islands in the ocean and the harsh, cold maritime climate.

The South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited due to high volcanic activity.

For 19th century, the territory of South Georgia was inhabited mainly by North American sealers.

South Georgia is the largest whaling center in the world.

The Falklands military conflict, the essence of which was claims to the Antarctic territories, including the island of South Georgia, forces the UK to place a small garrison in Grytviken.

Landmarks in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Grytviken was previously a whaling base, from 1982 to 2001 - a small military garrison, now some buildings of the former whaling base are being restored as tourist attractions, the South Georgia Museum is operating. Depending on the season, 20 to 50 people live on the island. In summer, temporary bases for scientific expeditions are formed, numbering several dozen people.

The South Sandwich Islands is a subantarctic archipelago southeast of South Georgia, consisting of several small islands. Located in the southern part Atlantic Ocean often referred to as the Southern Ocean. There are scientific expeditions on the islands in summer.

Rocks Step- small bare rocks, barely protruding from the water. Located in the middle of the way from South Georgia to Falkland Islands.

They are not outwardly remarkable, but there is a myth that a Spanish galleon with gold crashed on them (the rocks are named as the Aurora Islands). Expeditions sent so far have not found any evidence of this legend. According to the description, the Shag Rocks bear little resemblance to the Aurora Islands, but their number and geographical coordinates almost match. And since legends tend to be exaggerated, there is a possibility that the described islands are Shag rocks.

Cuisine of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Cuisine in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has no distinct national characteristics. Perhaps a little more than others, the traditions of English cuisine are manifested.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands on the map

The small island of South Georgia can rightly be called a real penguin kingdom, here in such a small area there are 50 million seabirds and more than 5 million seals.

A tiny grain of sand in the vast expanses South Atlantic, South Georgia is by any measure very far from all other points the globe. Distance from the island to Antarctica, South America and the African continent is about 1500, 2100 and 4800 kilometers respectively. Even from the Falkland Islands it is separated by a huge distance of 1400 km.

South Georgia belongs to the subantarctic islands. However, due to the harsh climate, crossed mountainous terrain and the huge number of seals, penguins and petrels per square meter - as well as the cold polar front that dominates the entire territory of the island - in fact, is an Antarctic island. This land, constantly attacked by strong and unpredictable storm winds and violent waves of the surrounding cold seas, at first sight is stunning unearthly beauty their ice halls.

Along the entire island stretches a ridge of pointed, reminiscent of formidable spikes on the backbone of an ancient dragon, snow-covered mountain peaks reaching almost 3,000 meters in height. From afar, it seems as if these high sheer cliffs grow directly from the icy sea. More than half of this distant island, surrounded on all sides by a whole flotilla of rugged coastal islands and rocks, is bound by permafrost. Snow and ice here almost never melt, and there are no trees at all.

Due to the harsh climate, South Georgia has no permanent residents. The only human settlements in the region are considered to be small temporary groups of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, who stop at the base of Bird Island or Grytviken for the duration of the study. Still the island envelops special atmosphere, most likely associated with the extraordinary story of the conquest of South Georgia - a story full of cruelty, destruction, greed, adventure, courage and merciless extermination.

The famous navigator James Cook was the first to set foot on the shore, surveyed and mapped the island. Fulfilling the instructions of the Admiralty, on January 17, 1775, he declared the island a possession of the British crown and named it in honor of King George III. Cooke probably did not like South Georgia at all and seemed rather gloomy. “..Lands doomed by nature to eternal cold, deprived of the warmth of the sun's rays; I have no words to describe their terrible and wild appearance.” So the brave navigator James Cook spoke about this island.

However, in addition to this, when he returned, he also spoke about the huge herds of seals living there, covering the shores to the very horizon line, which, naturally for that time, served as the beginning of a massive influx of seal hunters to the island, who went to the distant shores of South Georgia for valuable skins. fur seals and seal oil. During the flourishing of the fishery, by the 30s of the 20th century, so many seals were killed here that, as a result, only a few hundred of them remained on the island. Fortunately, over the decades that have passed since then, their population on the island has been restored, and today herds of seals are no less numerous than they were hundreds of years ago.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for whales. Between 1904 and 1965, when whaling itself became unprofitable due to a sharp decline in the number of animals, a colossal number of whales were killed in the waters of South Georgia, according to generally accepted estimates, reaching 175,250 individuals. Local whalers often achieved records not only in quantity, but also in quality. For example, in 1909, a female blue whale 33 meters and 58 centimeters long was pulled ashore in the Grytviken area, which to this day remains the largest whale ever recorded on earth.

It is impossible not to mention the man whose name will forever remain inextricably linked with South Georgia - we are talking about the brave Captain Ernest Shackleton, who first went to this harsh region in November 1914 aboard the legendary expedition ship Endurance, intending to make the first transantarctic passage. . The story of what happened next and the captain's legendary feat to save his own crew is widely known. The Endurance was crushed by ice and sank, after which Shackleton returned to the shores of South Georgia in May 1916, when, together with Frank Worsley and Thomas Crean, for the first time in history, he made a brave passage through the icy waters of the Scotia Sea in the tiny seven-meter boat "James Card", and managed to organize the rescue of his expedition, which was in distress in the South Shetland Islands. Shackleton died of a heart attack on January 5, 1922, shortly after arriving at South Georgia on his next expedition. Fulfilling the last will of the brave Antarctic explorer, he was buried in the whaler's cemetery in Grytviken, where his grave remains to this day.

Wildlife of South Georgia

Be that as it may, most people willingly make the difficult journey to the distant island of South Georgia precisely in order to look at the fascinating inhabitants of this harsh land. On this small island, only 170 kilometers long and 31 kilometers wide, there are more different living creatures per square meter than anywhere else in the world. And the fact is that the surrounding cold seas abound with krill, squid, fish and all other incredibly tasty and nutritious marine food, which more than provides food all year round for all the penguins living on South Georgia, albatrosses, seals, whales and other animals that occupy more high position in the food chain.

More than 50 million seabirds nest on the island. More than 5 million seals live on the shores. Birds living on the island include 22 million Antarctic whalebirds, up to 8 million common diving petrels, several million macaroni penguins, and 2 million white-chinned petrels. In addition, South Georgia is also the main nesting area for many other seabirds. Including on South Georgia itself and the neighboring islets, one fifth of the entire world population of wandering albatrosses nests, that is, about one and a half thousand pairs. Watching the breathtaking mating dances of these beautiful majestic birds with the world's largest wingspan is a truly unforgettable experience. However, today their colony numbers, like those of other albatrosses around the world, are significantly reduced due to the negative impact of longline fishing technology used in these waters, so there are now much fewer breeding pairs on the island than it once was.

This remote island can also lay claim to being the world's southernmost nesting area for the small passerines, the only songbirds in the subantarctic region, the big pipits, endemic to South Georgia and found nowhere else in the world. In addition, the South Georgian pintail, which is a local subspecies of the yellow-billed pintail, is also an endemic species.

There are no original land mammals on the island, however, in 1911-1925, 20 reindeer were brought here from Norway, the number of which, in the absence of predators, increased quite rapidly, and today it is more than 3,000 individuals.

However, seals are the undoubted champions in terms of numbers on the island. In total, South Georgia is home to at least 4,500,000 Antarctic fur seals (representing 95% of the total global population) and more than 500,000 southern elephant seals (at least half of the global population).

Some places on the coast of the island are so crowded with rookeries of warlike fur seals that it is almost impossible to moor to them without causing a colossal commotion on the verge of disaster: the males hosting here of an impressive size will not let people unceremoniously breaking into their territory for anything. Nevertheless, you can watch the seals from a safe distance directly from the Zodiacs or take a closer look at them in other surrounding areas by going ashore very carefully, without hitting anyone, making your way through the crowd lying on the shore.

Unlike them, elephant seals are much more accommodating and good-natured, although their dimensions are no less impressive. Nothing compares to the sight of these giants - the largest predators on earth - fighting each other for harems.

South Georgia is a heavenly place in terms of observing the unique local fauna: the animals here are incredibly sociable and, instead of running away from all paws in the opposite direction, as soon as they see a person, they simply get up and stare at the guest, and some go in their curiosity so far away, that even, on the contrary, they come closer in order to get a better look at the stranger.

Journeys to the shores of South Georgia and the best places on the island and in its vicinity (exploring these lands in a direction from north to south).

Elzehul Bay

This is a small picturesque bay located on the northwestern tip of South Georgia. The bay area is home to a large number of the most interesting representatives local fauna. In addition, the local water area is just perfect for sailing on the Zodiacs. From November to late January, so many fur seals congregate here - more than anywhere else in all of South Georgia - that the ground under their seething undulating mass is simply not visible. Of course, in order to land on the shore, in such a situation, you can not even dream of. In addition, the bay is great for elephant seal watching, especially at the beginning of the season.

In addition, Elzehul is also an important breeding area for two species of penguins (golden and Hindu), and a whole group of king penguins also arrive here during the molt. In addition, three species of albatrosses (black-browed, grey-headed and light-backed sooty), northern and southern giant petrels, blue-eyed cormorants and white plovers nest here. White-chinned petrels, Cape pigeons, Wilson's storm-petrels, Antarctic skuas, terns and even wandering albatrosses and the rare South Georgian pintail are also found in the bay area.

Prion Island

Prion Island is notable mainly for being one of the main breeding areas for wandering albatrosses. Every year on this tiny island(no more than 800 meters in length), on average, several dozen pairs of these beautiful, majestic birds nest. The island is also considered one of the best places to observe local sparrows - large skates that are found almost everywhere here. In addition, on this tiny piece of land in in large numbers common diving and white-chinned petrels, southern and northern giant petrels, and Antarctic right whales nest. In addition, the island is an important nesting area for light-mantled sooty albatrosses and South Georgian pintails.

Also here you can watch the largest creatures on earth - elephant seals. However, unfortunately, from November to January, these opportunities are limited, since on the only stretch of the coast to which it would be possible to moor by boat, fur seals aggressively opposed to any invasion of their territory reign supreme at this time.

Gulf of Hercules

This area of ​​South Georgia is considered one of the best places to see the stunning golden-haired penguins. Sailing on the Zodiacs near the local shores is not only a great experience, but also provides excellent opportunities for observing the local inhabitants. Named after a Norwegian whaling ship by Hercules, this magnificent bay is also home to light-mantled sooty albatrosses, white-chinned and southern giant petrels, and beautiful blue-eyed cormorants. The pebbly shore adjacent to the bay is completely covered with elephant seals and seals. In addition, from time to time you can see a small herd of magnificent reindeer here.

Abandoned whaling station Stromness

In addition to the fact that this area, compared to the rest, is rich in real historical sights, here, moreover, in large quantities reindeer, elephant seals, seals and Hindu penguins live. This is exactly the same, now abandoned, whaling station, where in 1916, after a full of dangers crossing the Scotia Sea on a tiny seven-meter boat "James Caird", they found salvation not only for themselves, but also for their expedition, Shackleton, Worsley and Crean. As recently as 1961, it was the largest whaling base in the world.

An abandoned whaling station is considered great place to watch the unusually cute baby fur seals, especially in January and February, when they frolic in the hundreds in the shallow water at the mouth of the local river. Several hundred elephant seals also come here every year for breeding and molting. The Old Harbor is considered one of the best places in the area to watch reindeer, sometimes wandering among the abandoned buildings of the former whaling station. There are also several small colonies of Hindu penguins near the old harbor, and a large colony of Antarctic terns on the hills behind the buildings.

Stromness Harbor is also notable for being accessible by land from the shores of Fortune Bay. It is here that the so-called "Shackleton Way" passes. The bravest can retrace the last leg of the perilous route to the long-awaited rescue of Shackleton, Worsley and Crean. Despite the fact that the path takes less than 6.5 kilometers, it passes mainly along steep and slippery slopes covered with scree, so overcoming it requires not only remarkable skill, but also genuine courage.

Abandoned whaling station Grytviken

This once thriving Antarctic settlement is today the most popular place on the island, and there really is something to see. Against the backdrop of a magnificent, even by the standards of South Georgia, landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks and majestic glaciers, the territory of Grytviken is home to such fascinating historical sights as an abandoned whaling station, the stunning South Georgia Museum, the whaling church and the grave of Ernest Shackleton.

However, local feathered inhabitants are no less remarkable. The South Georgian pintail is certainly among their most prominent representatives, although a huge variety of other equally amazing seabirds also nest on the tops of the surrounding mountains, including Wilson's storm-petrels, white-chinned petrels and black-bellied storm-petrels, South Georgia diving petrels, light-backed sooty albatrosses, northern and southern giant petrels, kelp gulls and magnificent Antarctic terns (most of which can only be seen after dusk). In solemn groups, as in a parade, king penguins line up on the shore during the molting period. And in the vicinity of the bay, at every step, overweight elephant seals lazily lie down and restless fur seals bustle about.

Gulf of St. Andrews

This place rightfully causes genuine delight among all those who have ever been there and remains the most vivid impression from visiting South Georgia. The secret of it unique beauty simple - huge crowds of magnificent king penguins against the backdrop of beautiful majestic mountains. Continuous flashes of color, sound, smell and incredible energy transmitted from the local inhabitants create a truly unique effect of the deepest emotional outburst.

There are really a lot of king penguins in South Georgia. In total, it is estimated that at least 500,000 parent pairs of penguins live on the island, living in 34 separate colonies. The largest population lives on the shores in the St. Andrews Bay area - more than 150 thousand pairs live here. In addition to penguins, there are also at least 6,000 southern elephant seals - more than anywhere else on the island - and literally every square meter is covered here between October and November.

It is also noteworthy that king penguin cubs, whose breeding cycle averages 18 months, are born throughout the year. Therefore, as a rule, here you can see penguins of all ages at the same time - from adults hatching eggs or feeding their chicks from small to large, to young animals on the shore, straying into flocks, which are called penguin "crèches".

The second largest colony of king penguins, with at least 60,000 pairs, lives in another at least great location the islands are on the Salisbury Plain. A kind of record was even registered here, when 250,000 penguins gathered at the same time on the pebbly shore of the plain during molting.

Landing on the shores of St. Andrews Bay and Salisbury Plain is often impossible due to too high waves. In any case, visiting these corners of South Georgia is always highly dependent on sea conditions and weather conditions.

Gold Harbor Bay

Translated from English, Gold Harbor means "golden harbor", and it was named so for good reason, because for many years it has been rightfully considered one of the most beautiful and scenic spots throughout South Georgia. The shores of Gold Harbor are also home to a large colony of king penguins (estimated at up to 25,000 pairs). Alongside the king penguins, there are equally adorable Hindu penguins, Antarctic skuas, northern and southern giant petrels, hulking elephant seals and even a small group of the ubiquitous fur seals. A large colony of Antarctic terns nests on the hills nearby, and a flock of light-backed sooty albatrosses nests on the ledges of the surrounding rocks.

Dangerous predators are also encountered here from time to time - sea leopards, occasionally swimming into the bay to hunt penguins off the coast. The shore of the bay, which stretches to the very horizon against the background of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, is especially beautiful at dawn, when everything around begins to play with delightful golden colors in the light of the first rays of the sun. It is thanks to this effect that sailors gave the bay such a poetic name.

Larsen Harbor

The shores of Larsen Harbor are most notable for being home to the only colony of Weddell seals on South Georgia during breeding season. There are very few of them here - only a few dozen pregnant females, which for the most part completely disappear from the local shores by mid-November, however, individual individuals are found here from time to time throughout the summer, which in the Southern Hemisphere exactly coincides with ours. in winter.

In addition, Larsen Harbor is one of the main nesting areas for snow petrels, who build their nests on the surrounding cliffs and mountain ledges. This is one of the best places to watch these rare birds, as here they can often be seen circling in the sky along with Cape doves. In addition, it is also home to many other equally remarkable local birds, including Antarctic terns, South Georgia diving petrels, Wilson's storm-petrels, Antarctic whalebirds and blue-eyed cormorants. In the area of ​​the bay, even large pipits are found in small numbers - the only songbirds of the Subantarctic.

Journey

You can visit South Georgia by going on a tour of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Falkland Islands with a few days visit to the archipelago area on expedition cruise ships departing from Ushuaia, a port in southern Argentina. But there are also expeditions dedicated exclusively to the exploration of South Georgia (which usually depart from the coast of the Falkland Islands, from which it takes only 2-3 days to South Georgia). Visitors to the island are not allowed to stay there overnight. In addition, landings are prohibited in some areas of the archipelago, including several small islands, including Cooper Island, located near southeast coast South Georgia, Annenkov Island in the south, and Bird Island off the northwest coast.

In the water area south coast The islands are dominated by a cold western front, as a result of which the climate there is extremely harsh and is characterized by strong storm winds and almost never-ending cold. In addition, there is absolutely nowhere to hide from strong winds. On the northern coast of the archipelago, the climate is milder and there are many places where you can hide from the weather.

In total along north coast islands, you can list about 40 places open to tourists, including: Elzehul, Salisbury Plain, Prion Island, Prince Olaf Harbor coastal whaling base, Fortune Bay, Hercules Bay, Lith Harbor, the abandoned whaling stations of Stromness and Hasvik, Jason Harbor Bay, Myviken Bay, King Edward Polar Station, Grytviken, Shoemaker Bay (Cobblers Cove), Godtul, Ocean Harbor, St. Andrews and others.

Tourist season

tourist season in harsh regions South Georgia lasts from October to February (during the spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere). At this time of the year, the air temperature here, as a rule, ranges from 0 to 10 C, but at times it can be much higher or lower. The start of the season is ideal for those who want to admire the purest sparkling white snow and eternal ice covering the island.

You can watch the dramatic fights of huge male elephant seals from late August to mid-November. Cubs of female elephant seals are born in September-October; seals spend the rest of the season on land during the molt; they also molt without violating the hierarchy - first the cubs, then the females, and at the very end - the males. Unusually cute cubs of fur seals are born in the period from late November to late December. Males completely leave these shores by mid-January, while females visit their cubs from time to time until the end of the season.

King penguins live and breed on the shores of the island all year round. The magnificent golden-haired penguins arrive on the island at the end of October, lay their eggs a month later, and then feed the chicks that are born until the end of December. Rare wandering albatrosses also nest and feed their chicks on the island all year round. Other species of albatross arrive on the island from late September to October and have been feeding their chicks since January.