South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia is one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on Earth, despite having no permanent residents beyond a small government and research presence. Beaches here hold some of the largest king penguin colonies anywhere, alongside huge numbers of elephant seals and fur seals, all against a backdrop of glaciers and jagged peaks. The rusting remains of old whaling stations like Grytviken, where Ernest Shackleton is buried, add a haunting layer of history. Nearly everyone who visits arrives by expedition ship as part of a longer Antarctic voyage.