South Georgia Photo Expedition
Snow Kings in early season
Our South Georgia Snow Kings Photography Expedition, running in late September and October 2026, is designed for passionate landscape and wildlife photographers eager to capture the beauty of one of the planet’s most extraordinary destinations. South Georgia, with its dramatic landscapes and remarkable wildlife, offers unparalleled opportunities to photograph King penguins, Elephant seals, and other elusive species - with good chances of snow during this time of the year.
To maximise light and photo opportunities, we schedule early, pre-sunrise landings on the beaches (weather permitting), taking advantage of the golden hours to create breathtaking imagery of South Georgia’s wildlife and scenery.
This 17-day photo expedition (16 nights) combines the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. While our primary focus is South Georgia - where we plan to spend 5-6 eventful days - we also allow 1-3 days in the Falkland Islands, depending on weather, to photograph additional penguins and other birds unique to the region.
Travelling aboard the modern MV Magellan Explorer, limited to 89 guests, ensures safe and comfortable exploration of these remote destinations. Although this is a larger group compared to previous South Georgia expeditions, it remains the smallest available vessel for our 2026 adventure. The ship’s near-new condition and superior facilities will provide a great experience.
We are proud to collaborate with our long-standing partner - PhotoTeva - who have chartered the vessel and will host the majority of the guests onboard. The WildPhoto group will consist of 36 guests and 2 dedicated WildPhoto guides, ensuring an intimate and focused photography experience.
If you're seeking a truly unique South Georgia photography adventure, this expedition is perfect for you!
PhotographingKing Penguinsin Snow
• Amazing colonies with thousands of King penguins
• King penguin chicks in the colonies
• Exclusive opportunities to photograph penguins in snow-covered, dramatic landscapes
• King penguin chicks in the colonies
• Exclusive opportunities to photograph penguins in snow-covered, dramatic landscapes
South Georgia is one of the best places in the world for King penguin photography, with large colonies surrounded by dramatic landscapes.
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BreathtakingWildlife at SunrisePhotography
• Photographing King penguins in golden light
• Early landings at King penguin colonies
• Early landings at King penguin colonies
The golden light at sunrise in South Georgia provide excellent conditions for amazing penguin portraits or wildlife in the landscape. Our South Georgia photo expeditions provide both exclusive photo opportunities and great memories.
What more to photograph
Below, you can discover more about the photography opportunities in South Georgia during the early season, with links to images taken on previous WildPhoto South Georgia expeditions.
PhotographingElephant Sealsin Early Season
• Dramatic bull fights on the beaches
• Giant elephant seals in winter landscape
• Giant elephant seals in winter landscape
The Southern elephant seal is the largest marine mammal apart from whales, up to 6–7 times heavier than a polar bear. More than 400,000 live in South Georgia, and during October–November, beachmaster males defend their harems.
WildPhoto has organised photo expeditions to South Georgia in 2015, 2018, and twice in 2023. Click on the image below to read the trip report from the WildPhoto expedition to South Georgia 7-21 November 2015. See where we have been, what we have photographed, and some behind-the-scenes images.
Available spots on South Georgia Snow Kings
Below is a list of available cabins for our South Georgia Snow King expedition onboard MV Magellan Explorer (maximum of 89 guests). The price displayed for each cabin is per person (in USD), not for the entire cabin. To inquire or book a spot, simply click the button under your preferred type of cabin, and you’ll be directed to an email to booking@wildphoto.com where you can provide more details about what you are interested in or request further information. If your desired cabin or availability isn't listed, please let us know. We can add you to the waiting list and notify you if spots become available later.
Please note: the beds on the images below can be separated as a twin cabin, or put together as a double cabin (for a couple).
Itinerary South Georgia
Based on previous ship-based South Georgia photo expeditions in early season we plan to use the travel route as described below. However, this itinerary may change due to weather conditions, availability or governmental restrictions.
DAY 1 Punta Arenas - Embarkation at 16:00, sailing east along the Strait of Magellan.
DAY 2 At sea toward the Falklands.
DAY 3 Falkland Islands - Morning visit to Saunders Island and in the afternoon to Carcass Island, photographing rockhopper penguins, gentoo penguins, magellanic penguins, black-browed albatross, and other wildlife and landscape.
DAY 4 Port Stanley or Gypsy Cove, before heading toward South Georgia.
DAY 5-6 At sea toward South Georgia.
DAY 7 Arriving South Georgia. Depending on sea conditions over the previous days, arrival is planned for the afternoon. Provided we receive approval from the South Georgia government, we plan to do an evening Zodiac cruise at Elsehul Bay.
DAY 8 Grytviken - Clear customs, then in the afternoon we land at Fortuna Bay / Stromness to photograph king penguins.
DAY 9 Gold Harbor and Cooper Bay. In the morning, we plan a landing at Gold Harbor, a spectacular location with king penguins, elephant seals and stunning mountains in the background. In the afternoon, we plan to visit Cooper Bay to search for macaroni penguins (they are not yet on land in the colony) during a Zodiac Cruise.
DAY 10 St Andrews Bay and Ocean Harbor. St Andrews Bay is the destination for an early morning excursion, visiting the largest king penguin colony in South Georgia. In the afternoon, we plan a Zodiac cruise and landing at Ocean Harbor.
DAY 11 Prion Island and Salisbury Plain. In the morning, we plan to visit Prion Island (if we are allowed to land) to see the nesting Wandering albatross. In the afternoon, we head to Salisbury Plain for more king penguins and stunning landscapes.
DAY 12-14 At Sea toward the Falklands.
DAY 15 Falklands Islands, where we plan to do an evening landing at Bleaker Island.
DAY 16 At Sea toward Punta Arenas.
DAY 17 Punta Arenas - Upon arrival at Punta Arenas, we disembark and take a group transfer to the town centre, where the expedition will end.
DAY 1 Punta Arenas - Embarkation at 16:00, sailing east along the Strait of Magellan.
DAY 2 At sea toward the Falklands.
DAY 3 Falkland Islands - Morning visit to Saunders Island and in the afternoon to Carcass Island, photographing rockhopper penguins, gentoo penguins, magellanic penguins, black-browed albatross, and other wildlife and landscape.
DAY 4 Port Stanley or Gypsy Cove, before heading toward South Georgia.
DAY 5-6 At sea toward South Georgia.
DAY 7 Arriving South Georgia. Depending on sea conditions over the previous days, arrival is planned for the afternoon. Provided we receive approval from the South Georgia government, we plan to do an evening Zodiac cruise at Elsehul Bay.
DAY 8 Grytviken - Clear customs, then in the afternoon we land at Fortuna Bay / Stromness to photograph king penguins.
DAY 9 Gold Harbor and Cooper Bay. In the morning, we plan a landing at Gold Harbor, a spectacular location with king penguins, elephant seals and stunning mountains in the background. In the afternoon, we plan to visit Cooper Bay to search for macaroni penguins (they are not yet on land in the colony) during a Zodiac Cruise.
DAY 10 St Andrews Bay and Ocean Harbor. St Andrews Bay is the destination for an early morning excursion, visiting the largest king penguin colony in South Georgia. In the afternoon, we plan a Zodiac cruise and landing at Ocean Harbor.
DAY 11 Prion Island and Salisbury Plain. In the morning, we plan to visit Prion Island (if we are allowed to land) to see the nesting Wandering albatross. In the afternoon, we head to Salisbury Plain for more king penguins and stunning landscapes.
DAY 12-14 At Sea toward the Falklands.
DAY 15 Falklands Islands, where we plan to do an evening landing at Bleaker Island.
DAY 16 At Sea toward Punta Arenas.
DAY 17 Punta Arenas - Upon arrival at Punta Arenas, we disembark and take a group transfer to the town centre, where the expedition will end.
Expedition ShipMagellan Explorerfor South Georgia
• Modern design for the Southern Ocean
• Spacious accommodation for 90 guests
• Each cabin includes private bathroom
• Spacious accommodation for 90 guests
• Each cabin includes private bathroom
The Magellan Explorer is a modern expedition vessel, introduced in 2019 and purpose-built for expeditions to South Georgia and Antarctica. The ship integrates solutions to enhance the guest experience and comfort.
FAQ - Good to know about South Georgia
Click on the frequently asked questions below to learn more about our South Georgia photo expeditions.
Which penguin species can you photograph in South Georgia?
When do elephant seal bulls fight on the beaches?
PhotographingRockhopper penguinsin the Falkland Islands
• Two to three landings planned in the Falklands
• Photograph penguins early in the breeding season
• Photographing interesting behaviour and interactions
• Photograph penguins early in the breeding season
• Photographing interesting behaviour and interactions
The Falkland Islands are home to scenic colonies of Rockhopper penguins. These charming, medium-sized penguins are known for their spiky crests and fearless behaviour.
Book your spot today
Please click on one of the buttons below to request more information about expeditions to South Georgia or if you want to reserve a spot.
About
WildPhoto Travel is a leading photo expedition company - specialized in polar regions. Since 2006, we have offered great photo opportunities for our guests and partners.
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