South Georgia Island (Month-Long Expedition) 2026
Join legendary photographer Amos Nachoum for a rare, 30-day expedition to South Georgia — one of the wildest, most remote places on Earth.
Off the Beaten Track
Free Photo Workshops
Why Join This Trip
Enjoy a Small-Group Adventure, limited to just 8 guests, ensuring personalized experiences, longer shore excursions, and unmatched access to remote landing sites
Perfect for photographers and non-photographers alike
Explore One of the Wildest Places on Earth as you journey deep into South Georgia, home to staggering wildlife and untouched polar landscapes.
Experience Close-Up Wildlife Encounters with over 200,000 king penguins, battling elephant seals, leopard seals, and breaching whales.
Receive Expert Guidance from Amos Nachoum, acclaimed wildlife photographer and expedition leader known for capturing iconic big animal encounters.
This is a very special, remote expedition featuring wildlife like elephant seals, leopard seals, whales, king penguins, and iceberg landscapes all in one place. The dates were specifically chosen to capture this unique convergence.
Trip overview
Trip Overview
Diving in South Georgia is a raw and exhilarating experience, offering rare underwater access to one of the planet’s last true wildernesses. In the island’s icy waters, divers explore walls of blue ice and dense kelp forests where leopard seals hunt and king penguins dart with surprising agility. Visibility can exceed 100 feet, revealing a haunting seascape of sculpted icebergs, marine invertebrates, and curious fur seals. Above water reveals surreal scenes of natural abundance — beaches crowded with thousands of elephant seals, king penguin colonies stretching to the horizon, and dramatic backdrops of glacier-carved fjords.
Non-divers and certified drysuit divers are welcome on this trip
- Drysuit snorkeling permitted with your own gear (no certification required)
- Drysuit diving requires certification and a minimum of 25 logged hours
Weather Conditions
From October to early November, South Georgia experiences cold and variable weather conditions. Air temperatures typically range from -4°C to 10°C (25°F to 50°F), while sea temperatures hover around 2°C (35°F). Underwater visibility is excellent, ranging from 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 feet), offering clear views of the region's rich marine life. This period marks the beginning of spring, with increasing daylight hours providing ample opportunities for exploration.
Marine Life To Photograph
Diving in South Georgia offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore one of the world's most biodiverse marine ecosystems. The waters teem with life, including vibrant kelp forests, sea spiders the size of dinner plates, and ribbon worms that can grow up to two meters long. These waters are richer in biodiversity than many tropical sites, including the Galápagos Islands. Divers can encounter majestic leopard seals, formidable predators known for their sleek, spotted coats and powerful hunting techniques. The underwater visibility ranges from 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 feet), providing crystal-clear views of the rich marine life. However, the cold waters, with temperatures around 2°C (35°F), require divers to be well-prepared with appropriate thermal protection. This remote and pristine environment offers a unique and unforgettable diving experience for those seeking adventure in the wildest corners of the Earth.
Sample Itinerary
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.Â
Highlights include:Â
- St. Andrews Bay & Salisbury Plain – Home to the world’s largest king penguin coloniesÂ
- Gold Harbour – Observe massive elephant seals in intense mating battlesÂ
- Prion Island – Rare viewings of nesting wandering albatrossesÂ
- Grytviken & Shackleton’s Grave – Visit the restored museum, historic whaling station, and Shackleton’s final resting placeÂ
- Drygalski Fjord – Sail through towering glacial fjords at the island’s southern edgeÂ
- Cooper Bay – Encounter Macaroni penguins and ice-carved cliffsÂ
- Ocean Harbour – See a rusted 19th-century shipwreck reclaimed by natureÂ
- King Haakon Bay – Retrace Shackleton’s legendary survival routeÂ
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.Â
Each landing is carefully planned for wildlife access, safety, and photographic potential — led by expert naturalists, divemasters, and Amos himself.Â
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.
Trip Inclusions
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)
Trip Exclusions
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
Accommodation
Accommodation Overview
The Pelagic 77 Amundsen is a purpose-built expedition yacht designed for high-latitude exploration, offering comfort, safety, and access to remote coastal areas of South Georgia. With just eight guests on board, the yacht features warm shared cabins, two shared bathrooms, a heated pilothouse lounge with panoramic views, chef-prepared meals, ample gear storage, and two inflatable boats for diving and shore landings — ensuring an intimate, flexible, and immersive experience far from traditional cruise itineraries.
Trip Price
Trip starts from $42,800 per person.
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $14,124 to confirm spotÂ
- Balance: Due July 11, 2026
Terms & Conditions
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- All prices $USDÂ
- Dates and pricing are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, animal behavior, and currency fluctuation.Â
- *For full terms and conditions, please contact us
Extend your trip
South Georgia Island (Month-Long Expedition) 2026 Trip Extension
Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of South Georgia before or after your workshop with Bluewater. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! There are a myriad of amazing destinations nearby that offer a range of additional unique experiences. Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your workshop reservation:

Trip Leader


Amos Nachoum
Amos Nachoum is an internationally acclaimed wildlife and underwater photographer and explorer. With a career spanning more than four decades, he has dedicated his life to capturing extraordinary images of elusive aquatic and land animals and inspiring others to understand and respect the natural world.
His extraordinary work has won him numerous awards. Notably, he is a two-time winner of the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His work has also been recognized by National Geographic, the World Press Photo, and the United Nations Environmental Program, among others. His images have appeared in prominent publications worldwide, including National Geographic Magazine, Time, Life, The New York Times, Cond Nast Traveler, and many others.
As an expedition guide, Amos is known for his meticulous planning and vast experience navigating challenging environments. He instills confidence in his team members, always prioritizing safety and respect for the natural world. His deep understanding of marine life and their habitats, coupled with his ability to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions, makes him an invaluable mentor to those fortunate to journey with him. Check out his latest TED Talk to find out more!
Awe and Enchantment, in the Company of Ocean Giants | Amos Nachoum | TEDxBerkeley
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