From the abundant wildlife of South Georgia to the quaint outpost of Port Lockroy, these Antarctic destinations are not to be missed
An expedition cruise to Antarctica is more than a journey; it’s a rare immersion into one of the planet’s last true frontiers. This is a place where icebergs drift like sculptures, wildlife outnumbers people, and landscapes feel untouched by time.
Specialist operators such as Voyagers Travel craft luxury expedition cruises that blend small-ship access with expert-led exploration and exceptional onboard comfort. The result is a style of travel that brings you closer to the wild while ensuring the journey is seamless, safe and deeply enriching.
After visiting Antarctica in 2022, I am now midway through my three-month stint working as a wildlife monitor at Port Lockroy, home to the world’s southernmost post office and a museum that serves as a time capsule of early polar science.
Living and working at the edge of the world has given me a front-row seat to the magic of the White Continent, and there are a handful of unforgettable Antarctic destinations that every expedition cruise down here should have on its itinerary.
1. Falkland Islands
Often the first taste of the Southern Ocean’s wildlife riches, the Falkland Islands offer a fascinating introduction to the region. Windswept, rugged and surprisingly green in places, the archipelago is a haven for birdlife and marine mammals.
Landing ashore feels like stepping into a natural history documentary. Vast colonies of black-browed albatross nest on sea cliffs, while rockhopper, gentoo and Magellanic penguins gather along beaches and grassy slopes. Elephant seals and sea lions haul out along the shore, seemingly unfazed by visitors.
Beyond wildlife, the Falklands also provide a cultural counterpoint to Antarctica’s uninhabited wilderness. The capital, Stanley, has a distinctly British character, with cosy pubs, colourful houses and maritime history that reflects the islands’ remote yet strategic past. It’s a gentle transition into deeper, more isolated realms.
2. South Georgia
Snow-draped peaks rise steeply from the sea, glaciers spill into sheltered bays, and beaches heave with animals. Here, you can stand a respectful distance from king penguin colonies numbering in the tens of thousands, their golden plumage glowing against a backdrop of tussock grass and snow. Nearby, elephant seals battle for territory while fur seals crowd the shoreline.
South Georgia also carries powerful echoes of human history. It was here that Sir Ernest Shackleton completed the final leg of his legendary survival journey in 1916. Many expedition cruises visit Grytviken, a former whaling station and the site of Shackleton’s grave, offering a poignant reminder of the age of polar exploration.
3. Port Lockroy, Antarctic Peninsula
Port Lockroy holds a particularly special place in my heart as I’m currently stationed on tiny Goudier Island for three months as the wildlife monitor, AKA penguin counter!
Tucked into a sheltered bay, Port Lockroy is one of the most charming and unusual Antarctic destinations on the Peninsula. Once a British research station, it is now a museum and post office operated by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Stepping ashore here offers a rare glimpse into Antarctica’s human story. Inside the restored buildings, you’ll find vintage scientific equipment, tins of decades-old supplies and exhibits detailing life in this remote outpost. You can even send a postcard from one of the world’s southernmost post offices.
Outside, nature continues to steal the show. A busy colony of gentoo penguins nests among the rocks, often waddling straight past visitors on their well-worn paths to the sea. The setting – calm waters ringed by glaciers and peaks – makes Port Lockroy as scenic as it is historic.
4. Lemaire Channel
Few stretches of water are as celebrated in Antarctica as the Lemaire Channel. This narrow passage between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula is often dubbed the Kodak Gap and for good reason.
As your expedition ship glides through the channel (ice permitting), sheer cliffs rise on either side, their dark rock faces streaked with snow. Icebergs drift silently in glassy water that mirrors the landscape with near-perfect clarity. It’s a place of hushed awe, where even seasoned travellers fall quiet.
Wildlife sightings can add to the magic. Humpback and minke whales are sometimes spotted feeding in the nutrient-rich waters, while seals rest on passing ice floes. Whether viewed from the deck or a zodiac, the Lemaire Channel encapsulates the raw, cinematic beauty that draws people to Antarctica in the first place.
5. Neko Harbour
My first continental landing, during my first visit to Antarctica, was at Neko Harbour on the west coast of Graham Land, the northernmost section of the Antarctic Peninsula.
For many travellers – as it was for me – it is the moment Antarctica truly comes into focus, offering a classic Antarctic landing: penguins, glaciers and vast, echoing silence.
After a zodiac ride through brash ice, you step onto a snowy shore shared with a colony of gentoo penguins. From here, a short but sometimes steep walk leads up a hillside with sweeping views over Andvord Bay, where glaciers tumble into the sea, and icebergs drift below.
Every so often, a thunderous crack splits the air as a chunk of glacier calves into the water, a dramatic reminder that this landscape is alive and constantly reshaping itself. Standing here, surrounded by ice, mountains and ocean, it’s easy to grasp just how remote and extraordinary Antarctica really is.
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