Cruising To South Georgia & The Falkland Islands

The austral summer is the best time to plan a trip to South Georgia or the Falkland Islands, between October and April. November to February are the warmest months, though snow and rain can be possible at all times of the year.

South Georgia is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands nearly 1,400 kilometres southeast of the Falkland Islands. 

The Falkland Islands are situated 483 kilometres from the South American mainland and 1,365 kilometres north of the Antarctic Circle, midway between Argentina and South Africa in the South Atlantic Ocean. 

At Viva Expeditions, we keep our eyes firmly peeled on the ‘special deal fronts’, which include:

- early-bird sales

- last-minute deals

- special charters

- introductory deals on new vessels

Our Specials Page is constantly updated with new deals as they’re offered and do note that the list can cover all cruise itineraries: from classic routes to extended itineraries including South Georgia and the Falklands, Antarctic Circle cruises and plenty of Fly+Sail options, whereby you fly to King George Island, bypassing a crossing of the Drake Passage, and join a shorter cruise from there.

When it comes to mitigating costs, note that booking months in advance (both flights and cruises) can actually save you a neat bundle, oftentimes more than if you were to simply wait for a deal on the cruise alone. Moreover, know that being among the first or last cruise passengers in Antarctica can also slash the cost considerably, as the great majority of visitors head down over the Christmas break, making December and January the busiest and most expensive months of all. Early and late Antarctic cruises also offer unique advantages that go beyond savings – the former offering pristine landing sites with not a footstep to be seen and, the latter, sensational whale-watching galore.

Being fit is not a must, however, being in a good health is. You need to be able to get in and out of zodiacs during land expeditions, knowing that it can be slippery. A doctor is on board during the tour, but you are still a long way from any other medical assistance.

All our tours are 100% tried and tested to ensure that when you travel with us, you are doing so in a controlled and safe environment with trained experts. One of our biggest concern is the weather conditions to ensure you have the best adventure without risk of injuries to you or the vessel. For your safety, activities may occasionally need to be rescheduled or cancelled.

A visa is not required to travel to South Georgia. If your Antarctica cruise is departing from an Argentinian port such as Ushuaia, no pre-arranged visa is required to enter Argentina by citizens of the UK, Australia, Ireland, the European Union, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and the USA. Other nationalities should check with their closest Argentinean embassy or consulate. Canadian citizens must pay a "reciprocity fee" to enter Argentina. This is not a visa, but a fee based on what Argentinean citizens pay for visas to Canada. The fee must be paid online and in advance for arrival at all airports. 

No visa is needed for passengers visiting the Falkland Islands. If you are flying into Port Stanley to board a Falkland Islands Antarctica Cruise, or if you are planning to spend additional time in the Falkland Islands before or after your cruise, you may need a visa. Visas are not required by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, the European Union, Canada, USA and South Africa. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact their nearest British Embassy or Consulate to check visa requirements for the Falkland Islands.

If your Falkland Islands Antarctica cruise is departing from an Argentinian port such as Ushuaia, no pre-arranged visa is required to enter Argentina by citizens of the UK, Australia, Ireland, European Union, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and the USA. Other nationalities should check with their closest Argentinean embassy or consulate.

Canadian citizens must pay a "reciprocity fee" to enter Argentina. This is not a visa, but a fee based on what Argentinean citizens pay for visas to Canada. The fee must be paid online and in advance for arrival at all airports. 

The currency is the Falkland Islands pound

As it is a British Overseas Territory, English is the official language. 

Exploring the Falkland Islands usually takes no more than 2 days.