Cooper Bay in South Georgia

Spending a few hours exploring Cooper Bay on the island will remain etched in your memories forever.

This remote island is located in the Scotia Sea and is around 800 miles east-southeast of the Falkland Islands. 

The geographic location of South Georgia makes Cooper Bay more accessible than other subantarctic islands. Due to the dramatic scenery and the richness of the wildlife, every visit to this land is a sensory overload.

About Cooper Bay

Cooper Bay was named after Lieutenant Robert Palliser Cooper, who served on James Cook’s HMS Resolution in 1775. It is separated from Cooper Island by the Cooper Sound channel, and all three derive their names from the same person. 

Geographically, the bay lies southwest of Cape Vahsel on the eastern tip of South Georgia. One interesting fact is that South Georgia is not a part of Antarctica, even though it is close to the frozen continent. 

A unique geographical feature of the bay is the presence of three coves. Surrounded by cliffs, these coves protect against Atlantic storms that are common in South Georgia. 

Since South Georgia lies directly on the path of the Antarctic circumpolar current, the weather remains cold, wet and windy. Cooper Bay is a welcome shelter for explorers and an ideal landing site.

On the south of Cooper Island is the entrance to Drygalski Fjord, one of the most geologically rich regions in South Georgia. Most trips to the bay are accompanied by a ship cruise to the fjord. 

The stunning sight of the Rising and Jenkins Glaciers flowing down to the blue waters takes the breath away from the most veteran adventurers.

The landscape on the bay is mountainous and rugged, just like the other areas on the island. The icy cliffs form a sharp contrast with the green hues of the tussocky grass making the landscape perfect for witnessing the timeless drama of the wild.

The wildlife

What makes South Georgia a paradise for wildlife lovers is the incredible range of Antarctic animals that thrive on it. The convergence of ocean currents in the area churns up a huge bulk of nutritious Antarctic krill-a prime diet for whales, seals and seabirds.

Penguins are the main attraction and all four species found in South Georgia are found on Cooper Bay. It also has the largest colony of chinstrap penguins on the island. You can even visit a macaroni penguin colony which is the only one accessible without a zodiac trip. Gentoo and king penguins are found waddling around the area as well.

The bird life includes the light-mantled sooty albatross, skua, southern giant petrels and burrowing petrels. Beyond that, there is the ground-dwelling South Georgia pipit, the only songbird on this rugged terrain.

Among the marine mammals, there are the viciously territorial Atlantic fur seals. Southern elephant seals are easily spotted and you may find two unbelievably large males engaged in a fierce duel.

Photographing opportunities in Cooper Bay are amazing. For many guests, a wildlife photography tour to South Georgia has been a transformative journey; a trip of a lifetime. Other than the bay, we also recommend a zodiac ride to visit the amazing wildlife found along the stark coastline of Cooper Island.

The period between late October and January is the best time to visit as the weather remains milder. As spring unfolds, the breeding season for King Penguins begins and when the eggs hatch, it is an overwhelming experience for photographers. As winter sets in in May, the weather turns harsh with extreme temperatures and rough seas. The island remains shut to tourists during this period.

Final thoughts

Adventurers and photographers can spend days on the bay and still not get tired of the views. As one of the most bio-diverse environments you can visit on the planet, a South Georgia Expedition Micro Cruise to Cooper Bay is an enriching experience for intrepid explorers.