Falkland Islands and South Georgia

Following breakfast at our hotel, we will transfer to the airport for our charter flight to Puerto Madryn, in the Patagonian province of Chubut on Argentina’s stunning Atlantic coast. Upon arrival in Puerto Madryn, your checked bags will be transferred directly to your cabin on Ultramarine, leaving you free to explore this lively Patagonian port town. As you stroll the shoreline, you may spot sea lions basking on the beach or catch sight of southern right whales offshore. Visit the local cafés and artisan markets for a taste of the region’s Welsh-Argentine heritage. In the afternoon, we’ll gather for the group transfer to the port to board Ultramarine. After check-in, you’ll be shown to your comfortable cabin— your home for the next 18 nights. Once you’ve settled in, your warm and friendly Expedition Team will introduce themselves and the ship, sharing important details about the voyage ahead. Expect an air of excitement as we set off toward the wildlife-rich subAntarctic islands of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

From Puerto Madryn we set our course for Islas Malvinas, also known as the Falkland Islands, where we aim to dedicate at least three days to exploration. En route, we will transit rich waters that support an array of wildlife, and in these latitudes—between 42 and 51 degrees north—you may spot avian and marine species you might not see further south. Be sure to spend time on the outer decks taking in the open water, and keep your binoculars handy for any wildlife sightings. Your Expedition Team will host expert presentations about the Patagonian coastlines and the isolated wildlife hotspots of the Falklands and South Georgia. Time at sea also provides opportunities to slow down and relax, and spend time getting to know your fellow ship mates who have traveled from diverse countries around the globe—and who share your passion for wildlife and adventure. It’s not uncommon for guests to make lifelong friends. As we near the Falkland Islands (also known as Islas Malvinas) sometime in the evening of our second day at sea, you may notice an increase in seabirds, particularly albatrosses. We’ll set course for the farthest—and rarely visited— northwest islands in the archipelago. Some of these islands are annual nesting sites for tens of thousands of birds, including the black-browed albatross. While many eyes may be trained toward the horizon and above in search of birds, stay alert to signs of movement above and beneath the surface of the water. Peale’s, Commerson’s, and dusky dolphins can be seen here, along with the occasional baleen and long-finned pilot whale.

With extended time in the Falklands, we’ll seek opportunities to visit seldom explored sites renowned for birdlife and beauty. Our destinations will depend entirely on weather and marine forecasts, as the outer Falklands are exposed to oceanic swells. We’ll choose locations that offer the best—and safest—conditions for exploration. One such site is the small, slender Steeple Jason, one of the most northwesterly islands in the Falklands. Difficult to access, it has been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries for its prolific black-browed albatross colony—the largest in the world, with an estimated 100,000 to 180,000 breeding pairs. It’s truly a sight to behold. Their closely packed nests stretch for hundreds of meters along the shoreline, just beyond dense tussock grasses. Our explorations may also take us to New Island, just over thirty nautical miles south of Steeple Jason. A paradise for birders, this small island boasts coves with white sandy beaches sheltered from the open ocean, and is considered one of the most beautiful in the Falklands. Around 25,000 to 30,000 black-browed albatross nest here, joined by Magellanic, gentoo, and southern rockhopper penguins—each with its own distinct nesting style. Other common sightings include songbirds and the formidable striated caracara. Dolphins, including those in shallow waters, are frequently seen in the area, adding to the island’s remarkable wildlife encounters. Other wilderness destinations may include bird-rich West Point and Saunders Islands in the western Falklands.

But no visit to the Falklands is complete without a stop in its largest community— Stanley. Highlights include the museum (admission covered) and the striking arch monument built from the jaws of blue whales. Pop into a local restaurant or traditional British pub for Falkland f ish and chips, or a pint while chatting with locals about life on this windswept sub-Antarctic island. Stanley has a distinct boundary—where residential streets end and open wilderness and sheep meadows begin to stretch into the horizon. We’ll set sail in early afternoon, allowing plenty of time to cover the 700+ nautical miles to our next destination: South Georgia.

While at sea, we may become aware of our transit over the Antarctic Convergence, or Polar Front. This biological boundary marks where the South Atlantic meets the Southern Ocean, and we’ll notice the change as we cross it. Below the Convergence, the water is much colder; where it meets the warmer Atlantic, cloudy or foggy conditions often form. This mixing of currents creates an ideal foraging ground for a variety of birds and marine mammals. We’ll likely be accompanied by albatross, petrels, and shearwaters, and may spot whales—some species more often than others. Far from shore, we might see Antarctic fur seals. Seeing prions (part of the petrel family) and shags in greater numbers indicates we’re approaching South Georgia.

To say that South Georgia is remote would be an understatement, and as such, we’ll need to invest the necessary time to travel the more than 1,000 nautical miles on our return to South America. We’ll begin our westward journey through the Southern Ocean, crossing back over the Antarctic Convergence and passing near Burwood Bank—a shallow underwater plateau surrounded by deeper waters. All three of these dynamic regions can provide opportunities for bird-watching and marine mammal sightings, and we’ll feel the gradual shift from the chillier ecological Antarctic to the somewhat warmer environments of Tierra del Fuego. If the skies are clear and visibility is good, we might catch our first views of the South American mountains on the horizon well before nightfall. As with other regions we’ve visited, the shelves near the continent can be rich with birdlife and occasionally marine mammals—but the journey isn’t over quite yet. After dinner, we will sail west through the famous Beagle Channel on our approach to Ushuaia, Argentina.