King George Island | Experience the Untouched

A trip to Antarctica is unlike any other journey you have undertaken – it is a proper expedition. Landing on the desolate terrain of King George Island is the first step towards this fascinating journey. While the remote island is challenging to reach, it is well worth the effort, considering the rich rewards awaiting you.

Your discovery of the untouched wilderness of Antarctica begins right from King George Island. While guests find the icy wilderness and volcanic landscapes of the island majestic in themselves, they eagerly await the next stage of the adventure to unfold. 

We have to say that standing on the beach on the island and witnessing the incredible beauty is a surreal experience.

About King George Island

At one end of the Drake Passage in the Southern Ocean lies a group of islands, the South Shetland Islands. The largest island in this group and the easternmost one, is King George Island, named after King George III of the United Kingdom.

In 1819, British explorer William Smith discovered the island. It has an area of 444 square miles and over 90 percent of the land area is glaciated. 

Presently, the island has multiple research stations operated by various countries. Naturally, a large section of the population of the island consists of scientists from more than 10 different countries.

The island is mostly barren, and the terrain is rocky and mountainous. The stark beauty of pristine beaches and jagged cliffs reaching down to the ocean serves as a perfect prelude for the journey to Antarctica.

King George Island has an airport that serves as the landing point for all flights to Antarctica. Since it is around 75 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula, the island serves as an important connecting hub for the white continent. Interestingly, it has one of the rare permanent structures in the Antarctic region – a Russian Orthodox church.

Keep in mind that only 100 people are permitted at any time on shore from a cruise ship so this is why a small expedition cruise is highly recommended.  The population itself can swell up to 1000 people in King George's Island including researchers and support staff on a temporary basis.

Climate 

The climate around the Antarctic peninsula is the mildest in the continent due to the effect of the ocean and the strong west winds. The definition of mild is relative though. The average temperature in the middle of summer – around January – is between 1-2 °C. The peak of winter in July sees the temperatures drop to −7 °C.

The skies over the island remain cloudy for most periods of the year with occasional sunlight beaming through the clouds. Precipitation occurs throughout the year in the form of rain and snow. More often than not, it is in the form of a rain-sleet mix.

Wildlife

While King George Island is not considered a wildlife stop by guests, it is home to a varied species of Antarctic wildlife. These include elephant seals, gentoo penguins, Adélie penguins, Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, and more. 

Note that the waters of the Southern Ocean are nutrient-rich and offer an abundant supply of krill. This results in a flourishing marine ecosystem around the island.

This is also a paradise for birdwatchers with avian species like gulls, brown skuas, and the striking southern giant petrels flying around. You can find the petrels walking on the beaches of the island with their peculiar gait or taking a flight. With a massive wingspan of 180–210cm, the flight of a petrel is an impressive sight. 

Shoreline encounters with weddell seals are common occurrences on the island. Leopard seals can be found lurking around penguin colonies – they are apex predators. One of the finest sites you can enjoy around the island is that of magnificent whales gliding through the icy waters. Minke whales, fin whales, and the occasional orcas or killer whales can be seen from here.

What to see on King George Island

Not many Antarctica travel guides talk about King George Island and it is overlooked in comparison with Antarctica. However, it is nothing short of a fantastic destination by itself. Here are some of the spots on the island worth visiting.

Base Carlini

Carlini is the Argentine Research Station located in an area of the island called ‘Potter Cove’. Initially built as a refuge, it was upgraded to a research station in 1982. Since then the facilities have been continuously upgraded. It conducts advanced research on the multiple disciplines of natural sciences.

In contrast to the greyish landscape, the base is a cluster of red buildings located close to a large penguin colony. You can take a guided tour through the interiors of the base and chat with the researchers as well.

Great Wall Station

This station was established by China in 1985 and can accommodate around 80 people. It is located in the Fildes Peninsula in the western section of the island.  

Apart from the weather station, laboratories, and a sleeping quarter, the base also has a small museum that tells the history of Chinese Antarctic expeditions.

Antarctic flora

Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) are an option for flower lovers as the only two native flowering plants (angiosperms) that have managed to establish themselves in the Antarctic region here on King George Island. 

Their presence on King George Island is particularly interesting because the island represents one of the more extensively vegetated areas in maritime Antarctica, helped by its relatively milder climate compared to the continental interior. Both species can be found in ice-free areas of the island, particularly in spots with good drainage and some protection from the harshest elements.

Antarctica Marathon

If you want to test your endurance limits, try this 42.195-kilometre race that has been held on King George Island since 1995. Many extreme sportsmen and women from around the planet participate in this event during the tail end of the summer season.

The course of the race moves over gravel tracks that connect the various research bases on the island. Extreme care is taken to ensure the minimum impact of the event on the environment.

Trinity Church

Located over a narrow rocky hill, this Russian Orthodox church is a wooden structure with a full-time priest who performs the services. Often called ‘the church at the end of the world’, this is the southernmost Orthodox church on the planet. The Siberian pine wood used in the construction was shipped from Altay, and the bells were brought from the city of Vladimir. 

Fossil discoveries

King George Island has yielded significant fossil finds, including remnants of plants and animals from prehistoric times, offering insights into the region's ancient ecosystems.

Research on King George Island

King George Island hosts several international research stations and serves as a major hub for Antarctic research. Here are the main types of research conducted there:

Climate and environmental research:

• Long-term monitoring of climate change impacts

• Glaciology studies examining ice sheet dynamics and retreat

• Atmospheric research, including ozone monitoring

• Marine ecosystem monitoring

Biological sciences:

• Studies of penguin colonies and other seabird populations

• Marine biology research in the surrounding waters

• Plant ecology studies, particularly focusing on the two native flowering plants

• Microbial research in various environments

Geological studies:

• Volcanic activity monitoring (since it's part of a volcanic arc)

• Rock formation and Antarctic plate tectonics research

• Sediment studies to understand historical climate patterns

Planning your trip to Antarctica

Admittedly, a trip to Antarctica is a true once-in-a-lifetime adventure for every traveller. If you have finally decided to take the plunge and embark on this fascinating adventure, you need the right level of preparation. 

Besides, the white continent is not a destination where you can venture alone. So, you need to join a guided expedition. That makes picking a safe and reliable Antarctica expedition cruise essential for having the best experience.

Even though the white continent is often called the most beautiful place on earth, don’t let the flowery language distract you. In truth, a trip to this harsh land is challenging in every way. Here’s one interesting fact about Antarctica – it is officially a desert, albeit, the coldest one.

While reaching King George Island across the Drake Passage is challenging, venturing into the mainland of the white continent will take you beyond your comfort zone. Even so, it will be a transformative experience that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Visit Antarctica with Secret Atlas

At Secret Atlas, we understand that the spirit of adventure lies in exploring nature with a sense of freedom and thrill. Each of our Antarctic voyages is carefully curated to balance the spirit of wilderness exploration with comfort and safety. 

At the same time, we believe in ensuring the preservation of the continent’s fragile ecosystem at every step and making a positive impact through responsible travel.

Join us for a memorable adventure through the awe-inspiring icy landscapes of Antarctica.