South Georgia Wildlife Expedition

A Rare Opportunity to Explore One of the Wildest Places on Earth

Embark on an exclusive South Georgia wildlife expedition led by world-renowned photographer Amos Nachoum. This 30-day voyage offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore one of the most remote and wildlife-rich destinations on the planet.

Sailing aboard the state-of-the-art Pelagic 77 Amundsen — a purpose-built expedition yacht — you’ll experience close encounters with more than 200,000 king penguins, witness elephant seals battling for dominance, snorkel with leopard seals and penguins, and explore glacier-carved fjords and historic whaling stations.

Unlike traditional cruises, this small-group expedition (limited to 8 guests) ensures maximum time on shore and under water, personalized photography guidance, and rare access to South Georgia’s most dramatic landscapes and untamed wildlife.

 

  • Sail deep into the Southern Ocean aboard a purpose-built expedition yacht
  • Walk among 200,000+ king penguins at St. Andrews Bay
  • Witness elephant seals battling for dominance on South Georgia’s beaches
  • Spot breaching whales, leopard seals, and albatrosses in their natural habitat
  • Dive and snorkel in kelp forests, alongside icebergs, and with penguins and leopard seals on the hunt
  • Explore legendary sites like Shackleton’s grave at Grytviken
  • Access remote landing sites unreachable by larger ships
  • Daily Zodiac excursions for both divers and land-based photographers
  • Photographic and storytelling guidance from Amos Nachoum

 

 

SUMMARY

South Georgia
8 Guests
30 Days

October 9 – November 8, 2026

More Information

SCHEDULE

Day 1 – Santiago, Chile

  • Arrive in Santiago and check into a centrally located hotel
  • Welcome dinner and expedition briefing with Amos Nachoum

Day 2 – Fly to the Falkland Islands & Board the Yacht

  • Morning flight to Stanley, Falkland Islands
  • Board Amundsen and depart for South Georgia

Days 3–7 – Southern Ocean Crossing

  • Open-ocean sailing with wildlife spotting and photography workshops
  • Observe seabirds, whales, and the first signs of sub-Antarctic life

Days 8–25 – South Georgia Wildlife Expedition
Each day offers new landings and wildlife encounters — both on land and beneath the surface. Highlights include:

  • St. Andrews Bay & Salisbury Plain – Home to the world’s largest king penguin colonies
  • Gold Harbour – Observe massive elephant seals in intense mating battles
  • Prion Island – Rare viewings of nesting wandering albatrosses
  • Grytviken & Shackleton’s Grave – Visit the restored museum, historic whaling station, and Shackleton’s final resting place
  • Drygalski Fjord – Sail through towering glacial fjords at the island’s southern edge
  • Cooper Bay – Encounter Macaroni penguins and ice-carved cliffs
  • Ocean Harbour – See a rusted 19th-century shipwreck reclaimed by nature
  • King Haakon Bay – Retrace Shackleton’s legendary survival route

Dive-focused guests will explore iceberg walls, kelp forests, and historic wrecks, and may encounter leopard seals, fur seals, and king penguins in the water.

Each landing is carefully planned for wildlife access, safety, and photographic potential — led by expert naturalists, divemasters, and Amos himself.

Days 26–30 – Return Voyage & Departure

  • November 3 – Depart South Georgia and begin sailing return
  • November 7 – Arrive in Stanley and fly back to Santiago

November 8 – International departures

 

 

CONDITIONS

Temperature
Air: 25–50°F (-4 to 10°C), Water: 35°F (2°C)

Visibility
60–100 ft (20–30m) underwater

 

 

INCLUDED

  • 28 Days aboard the Pelagic 77 Amundsen
  • 2 Nights in Santiago, Chile (pre- and post-expedition)
  • All meals, soft drinks, beer, and wine
  • Daily guided landings and Zodiac excursions
  • Wildlife photography coaching from Amos Nachoum
  • Foul weather gear for on-deck expedition use
  • Dive support (tanks and weights provided)

 

EXCLUDED

  • International and domestic airfare
  • Mandatory travel & evacuation insurance
  • Diving equipment (must bring your own, including two regulators)
  • Required certifications:
    • Drysuit snorkeling permitted with your own gear (no certification required)
    • Drysuit diving requires certification and a minimum of 25 logged hours
  • Unused portion of the itinerary due to weather or logistics
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

 

EXPEDITION LEADER

Amos Nachoum is a distinguished figure in wildlife and underwater photography, seamlessly combining exploration and artistry for over 45 years. His dedication to capturing the essence of marine life has garnered him prestigious accolades, including twice winning the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in animal behavior and the Siena Photo Competition in ‘Animals in Their Environment’ category.

Amos’s photographic excellence has earned him the title of Nature Photographer of the Year 2021 by Wilderness Photography. His impact on the artistic and conservation communities has been recognized with the NOGI Award in Art, solidifying his status as a leader in his field. His works have graced prominent publications like National Geographic, Time, and The New York Times, showcasing his ability to tell compelling visual stories.

In 2019, his documentary “Picture of His Life” unveiled his relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to marine conservation. As the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, he leads private expeditions, ensuring safe and intimate wildlife encounters during peak seasons. These expeditions, whether on land or in the ocean, reflect his immaculate safety record and deep respect for the natural world.

By choosing to embark on an expedition with Amos, adventurers open themselves up to a transformative experience. They learn from a maestro whose life’s work resonates with the pulse of the oceans and the dance of wildlife across diverse habitats. Whether a seasoned photographer or a nature enthusiast, participants in Amos’s expeditions gain unparalleled insight and a unique opportunity to connect with the wild.

Additionally, his work in marine conservation and education has not gone unnoticed. Amos has been named Seakeepers’ Man of the Year, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to the ocean and its inhabitants. Through his expeditions, workshops, and storytelling, he continues to inspire, educate, and ignite a passion for conservation in hearts worldwide.

LODGING

Explore South Georgia Aboard the Pelagic 77 ‘Amundsen’
The Ultimate Expedition Yacht for High-Latitude Exploration

Most ships are too large or limited to reach South Georgia’s most remote and dramatic coastlines. That’s why we sail aboard the Pelagic 77 Amundsen — one of the most advanced expedition yachts ever built.

Designed by Tony Castro in collaboration with Skip Novak and Nicolás Ibáñez, Amundsen was engineered specifically for high-latitude exploration — with twin masts, manual sail systems, and an aluminum hull built to handle Antarctic conditions safely and sustainably.

This is not a cruise ship. It’s a purpose-built expedition platform that lets us anchor in sheltered coves, reach more landings, and navigate remote areas with autonomy, comfort, and safety.

Key Expedition Features

  • Expedition-Ready Design
    • Aluminum Hull & Fixed Keel — Superior stability in extreme conditions
    • Twin Carbon Masts & Manual Sailing Systems — Redundant and hands-on for full reliability
    • Eco-Friendly Volvo Engines — Low-emission propulsion for minimal environmental impact
    • Advanced Navigation & Safety Systems — Supporting true autonomy at sea
  • Comfort & Functionality Onboard
    • Spacious Shared Cabins — Warm, comfortable bunks for recovery after long days
    • Heated Pilothouse Lounge — 360° views from a dry, protected space
    • Expedition Library & Digital Workspace — A quiet place to review images or relax
    • Chef-Prepared Meals — Hot, nutritious meals served family-style
    • Ample Gear & Photography Storage — Space to safely stow and access your equipment
    • Two Inflatables — One for divers, one for land-based excursions

Amundsen offers expedition luxury in its truest sense — warmth, independence, and total immersion in one of the wildest places on Earth.

Watch the full vessel walkthrough

 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Wildlife Like Nowhere Else
A South Georgia wildlife expedition is unlike any other journey on Earth. Thanks to its isolation and strict environmental protections, the island’s natural inhabitants thrive in overwhelming numbers. Expect close encounters with:

  • 200,000+ king penguins at St. Andrews Bay and Salisbury Plain
  • Massive elephant seals in loud, territorial combat
  • Wandering albatrosses with 10-foot wingspans nesting on Prion Island
  • Humpbacks, orcas, and fur seals patrolling the icy waters
  • Macaroni, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins in rugged colonies
  • Skuas, petrels, and storm birds circling overhead
  • Leopard seals hunting in the kelp forests and glacial bays

Each day is designed around wildlife behavior and weather conditions — maximizing your time with animals in their natural habitats.

 

 

Small-Group Advantage: Exclusive Access to South Georgia
Unlike large cruise vessels that restrict landing time or avoid smaller bays, our group of 8 travelers enjoys the flexibility to:

  • Land more often and for longer durations
  • Split between divers and land explorers, using both Zodiacs simultaneously
  • Respond to wildlife sightings in real time
  • Explore hidden beaches, fjords, and cliffs off the main tourist circuit
  • Receive one-on-one photography or diving support from Amos and crew

 

Land, Ice, and History: A Photographer’s Dream
South Georgia is more than a wildlife destination. It’s a place of stark contrasts: volcanic rock and glacial ice, riotous penguin colonies and the silent remnants of human endeavor.

Photographic highlights include:

  • Towering glacier faces calving into the ocean
  • Historic whaling stations overtaken by wildlife
  • Shackleton’s grave and the rusted relics of his era
  • Icebergs, abandoned wrecks, and ship bones along the shoreline
  • Ever-changing Antarctic light — from ethereal dawns to golden sunsets

With its haunting history, extreme beauty, and abundant wildlife, South Georgia is a place few have the chance to explore in depth. This journey offers that rare opportunity — to slow down, stay longer, and connect with the wild in ways most travelers never can.

 

 

Send Me More Information

Reserve Now*

You can reserve now by either paying a 33% deposit through our online reservation system or by mailing a check.

If you’d prefer to mail a check to our office or arrange for a wire transfer, please get in touch with us via the Contact BigAnimals form below.

$42,800.00

In stock

Prices are per person and based on double occupancy
Pay a deposit of 33% per item

Payment Policy and Deposit*

All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. In order to join an expedition, you are required to carry trip, health, and dive (if applicable) insurance. This information as well as your passport photo will be requested after you place your deposit.

Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.

All prices $USD
Dates and pricing are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, animal behavior, and currency fluctuation.
Please carefully review Big Animals’ cancellation policy below or on the Cart page before checkout.
 

 

 

*FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY

We at Big Animals LLC know how upsetting it might be for our valued clients to have to postpone or cancel a trip they have been looking forward to for months. We, too, are disappointed when plans must be changed. However, we make extensive preparations in advance of each trip and we are required to make nonrefundable payments to hotels and other vendors on a regular basis. Consequently, we must rigorously enforce our cancellation and trip change policy for all guests without exception. Purchasing travel insurance is vital and may be obtained through a variety of insurance providers. Life in the modern world has taught us that trip cancellations and interruptions happen, luggage gets lost, and people have accidents prior to trips, and people get sick, and are unable to commence or complete anticipated journeys. Insurance is expected to provide you, as our valued client, with the protection and peace of mind in the event that all things do not go according to your intended plan. As a traveler, please be aware you are personally responsible for any expenses incurred due to illness or injury that may arise before departure or while you are on expedition — and as per the details below — cancelling or altering a trip without insurance becomes very expensive for all parties involved, including for Big Animals LLC. We encourage you to make the responsible choice — protect your investment with a reasonably-priced, comprehensive insurance policy. Big Animals LLC requires a deposit equal to 33% of the total trip price at the time of booking, including all applicable taxes, in order to secure space. Once we have accepted your deposit and application, we will make non-refundable payments to secure your space with overseas vendors; consequently, all deposits on expeditions are also non-refundable, without exception.
  • Full payment is due 90 days (12:00am US Pacific Time) before the expeditions’ departure date.
  • In the event of cancellations made by customers fewer than 120 calendar days (12:00am US Pacific Time) before the expeditions’ start date, then Big Animals LLC shall charge a fee equal to 50% of the expedition’s full price, plus a $500 administration fee, and will offer the discounted trip to another traveler at a discounted rate.  If no replacement traveler can be located then the full amount previously paid by the original trip purchaser to Big Animals LLC shall be non-refundable.  Please purchase travel insurance and plan accordingly.
There shall be no exceptions to this “FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY” for any reason, including, but not limited to force majeure. Governing Law California. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement, and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

Discover Private Expeditions

Description

Join this expedition by paying the deposit.

Your deposit reserves your place on the trip. However, the full amount is due 90 days or more before the expedition date begins.

You will receive a confirmation email when your application is received. When your deposit is complete, you will receive trip confirmation. Complete trip details will be sent upon final payment.

View the Expedition Page for Total Trip Price and Cancellation Policies  

Additional information

South Georgia Expedition

October 9 – November 8, 2026

Big Animals Expeditions
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