South Georgia yacht charters

Grytviken 54°16’S, 36°30’W

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South Georgia private yacht charters

Penguins with mountain backdrop in South Georgia Secret Atlas

Plot your own adventure to one of the most ecologically rich islands on the planet, with a South Georgia yacht charter.

The South Georgia yacht charter experience

Take your friends, family, or colleagues to meet the penguins of South Georgia. Way out in the South Atlantic, this island wildlife sanctuary promises animal encounters like nowhere else. With Secret Atlas’s years of expedition-planning experience, superstar expedition team, and fleet of private vessels at your disposal, chart your own path with a South Georgia yacht charter.

The sheer abundance of life here in this incomparable place of great bio-diversity is head-spinningly immense. The distinctive king penguin colonies – where hundreds of thousands of penguins court, brood eggs on their feet, and finally watch their eggs crack open when tiny chicks are born – put on one of nature’s greatest shows.

The wildlife rightly steals the headlines, but your South Georgia yacht charter will play to your tastes. Central to the story of Antarctic exploration, the island attracts as many history enthusiasts as it does ornithologists and wilderness lovers. Tell us what you want to see, and we can make it happen of your South Georgia private yacht charter. Looking for ideas? We’ll lend our expertise during the planning phase.

Guests in zodiac taking photos with Secret Atlas

Where we explore

St Andrews Bay

An iconic sight on any South Georgia expedition, the bay is home to one of the largest king penguin colonies on the island, with close to 500,000 penguins set against a backdrop of glaciated mountains.

Learn more about St. Andrews Bay's history, its biggest king penguin colony, and other wildlife

Salisbury Plain

Another penguin hotspot, Salisbury Plain is a dark beach renowned for its massive king penguin colony. Elephant seals, fur seals, and a host of seabirds compete for your attention, too.

Explore king penguins and elephant seals in a gorgeous setting at Salisbury Plain

Grytviken whaling station

The former whaling station sits within the protected cove of Cumberland Bay, where dedicated scientists and conservationists greet visitors and welcome them with information on how they too can participate in protecting this precious place of great biodiversity, home to the South Georgia Museum, the Whalers Church, and Shackleton’s grave.

Discover the historical heart of South Georgia at Grytviken

Pair of wandering albatrosses on the nest, socializing, with snowy mountains and light blue ocean in the background, South Georgia Island, Antarctica

Prion Island

A protected breeding site for the wandering albatross, the largest flying seabird in the world, with an impressive 12-foot wingspan. Viewing platforms amongst the tussock grass allow you to admire these impressive creatures as they court and nest without disturbing them.

Learn more about the wandering albatross nesting site at Prion Island

Gold Harbour

At the foot of the Salvesen Mountains, Gold Harbour draws together so much of what makes South Georgia special, with penguins and elephant seals lining the beach, lush tussock grass, and Bertrab Glacier dramatically jutting out from the cliffs above.

Find out more about the history of Gold Harbour

King Haakon Bay

Delve into the untamed wilderness of King Haakon Bay, a secluded fjord nestled on South Georgia's southern coast. King Haakon Bay is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse marine life. Its shores are a haven for a myriad of seabirds, including graceful albatrosses, agile petrels, and distinctive pipits.

The Bay is also the famed landing site of Shackleton’s James Caird lifeboat, as the six men made it back to South Georgia following the sinking of the Endurance.

Read about King Haakon Bay and its impact on polar discoveries

Yachts for charter in South Georgia

Choose the ship to match your adventure.

Our fleet of ice-strengthened, go-anywhere vessels are ideal for exploring the remotest reaches of South Georgia. High-performance, low-impact, and kitted out with all the home comforts you might need, we sail expedition-style ships that get you closer to nature.

TBD

Carrying just 44 guests, MV Polar Athena is the ultimate platform for observation and versatility in the polar regions. With spacious decks, two observation lounges in the bridge, and the highest 1A Super ice-class rating, she invites you to experience the polar world in comfort, depth, and quiet intimacy.

See Ship

44 Guests

Polar Athena cruising the sea ice Lars Korvald Secret Atlas

Interior

MV Polar Athena Bridge viewing lounge Secret Atlas

Scouting for wildlife from the Bridge on Polar Athena with Secret Atlas

Polar Athena Ship Bridge Interior 2 Secret Atlas

Guests enjoying view from the Bridge on Polar Athena with Secret Atlas

Exterior

Photography from deck on Polar Athena with Secret Atlas

Crossing The Lemaire Lemaire Channel Antarctica 2024 Jean Pauldelaharpe Secret Atlas

Polar Athena Palaver Point Antarctica 2024 Jean Pauldelaharpe Secret Atlas

Twin Porthole

Cabin 302 Classic Twin Polar Athena Secret Atlas

Sleeps two in two lower berths
Shared toilet facilities
Porthole

Deck 3

12.5M²

2 Guests

Classic
Twin

Cabin 405 Signature Twin Polar Athena Secret Atlas

Sleeps two in lower berths
Ensuite shower and toilet
Window

Deck 4 & 5

12M²

2 Guests

Classic
Suite

Sleeps two in double bed
Lounge area with sofa, corner desk & chair
Ensuite shower and toilet

Deck 5

16.8M²

2 Guests

Signature
Suite

Sleeps two in double bed
Spacious lounge area with sofa, corner desk & chair
Ensuite shower and toilet

Deck 5

22.5M²

2 Guests

Signature
Single

Sleeps one in lower berth
Ensuite shower and toilet
Window

Deck 4

11M²

1 Guest

Deck

Films

Design your own private expedition micro cruise with Secret Atlas

Share the journey with those who matter most.

TALK TO US

Why Secret Atlas?

Meet Secret Atlas

Because we’re explorers, delivering expeditions for explorers like you.

We’re fuelled by the long-lost spirit of adventure, guided by environmental and cultural responsibility, and committed to creating transformative travel experiences.

We’re pioneers of the Expedition Micro Cruise, offering the smallest group sizes at both poles. That means a flexible itinerary. It means more time exploring and photographing. It means a deeper connection with your team and the natural world.

We understand that, out here, less is more. Less waiting to board Zodiacs, more time ashore. Less strict itineraries, more adventure. Less crowd, more immersion.

That’s why we’re not just small. We’re micro.

South Georgia yacht charter FAQs

When is the best time of year to take a yacht charter to South Georgia?

The South Georgia cruise season starts in November and ends in March. There are no visitors during the winter months due to the harsh conditions.

Each month of the visitor season offers something different.

November is spring in South Georgia, and king penguins begin to lay their eggs ashore. Humpback whales often arrive at this time in the Southern Ocean; seabirds return and begin nesting. Elephant seals come ashore to breed, with bulls fighting it out to see who will reign as 'beachmaster' and head of their herd.

December is the first month of summer, when the days are longest and warmest. The beaches are packed with fur seals and most birds have laid their eggs. In January, the final king penguins are laying their eggs.

In February, when the days are longest the fluffy king penguin chicks begin to run around and call for their parents who often go out fishing and return filled to the brim with fish and krill. Albatross chicks are hatching and grow rapidly, while juveniles practise their courtship dances.Seals moult on the beaches while skuas soar above the colonies looking for sources of food within the penguin colonies.

As autumn begins in March, adult fur seals return to the sea, leaving their pups ashore, and whales can regularly be seen in the waters around South Georgia.

Are there any additional costs I should be aware of when chartering a yacht to South Georgia?

Our South Georgia yacht charters are offered on an all-inclusive basis. All meals are included on Secret Atlas private charters, freshly cooked each day by our superb chefs. Safety equipment, fuel, guides, and crew are all included in the price.

Additional fees for activities such as museum visits or your personal contributions to the South Georgia Heritage Trust are not included. Nor are tips for the crew or flights to and from the embarkation/disembarkation point for your South Georgia private expedition.

What’s the best type of ship to charter to get the most out of a South Georgia yacht charter?

Our fleet of ice-breaking expedition-style ships are perfect for adventures in South Georgia. They can take you to the remotest beaches where king penguin colonies throng in their thousands, away from the cruise ship crowds.

They are agile, go-anywhere ships designed for ultimate safety in the remotest environments on Earth.