Meredian – Falkland & South Georgia Expedition

Meredian – Falkland & South Georgia Expedition

Two days exploring the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands, followed by ten extraordinary days immersed in the dramatic landscapes and vast penguin colonies of South Georgia.
A focused, intimate journey to the Southern Ocean’s two most spectacular wildlife destinations.

Highlights

Intimate wildlife encounters
Flexibility of a small vessel
Passionate Crew

Duration

21 Days

Cost

Contact us for more information

Upcoming dates

View real-time cabin availability below

What makes this trip unique?

Quality Time

Life aboard Meredian on a South Georgia expedition is about unhurried exploration and a deep connection with one of the wildest places on Earth. With only a small group of guests, you have the rare luxury of time: to linger, to watch wildlife, to listen to the wind and waves, and to feel fully immersed in glaciers, king penguin colonies, and dramatic coastlines before returning to a warm, comfortable floating home at the end of each unforgettable day. Evenings bring shared meals, quiet talks, and the calm of the ship beneath polar skies.

Meredian South Georgia 8
Meredian South Georgia 5
Micro-Cruises

Micro-cruises aboard Meredian offer one of the most intimate ways to experience South Georgia’s dramatic coastline. With a small group on board, the ship can slow down, follow wildlife, and slip deep into fjords, bays, and beneath glacier-carved cliffs. You feel the scale of the island up close: the ice sounds louder, the mountains seem higher, and the wildlife feels closer. Without crowds, every turn reveals new penguin, seal, and seabird colonies, turning each short navigation into a calm, immersive adventure. Every micro-cruise feels personal, spacious, and deeply rewarding.

All-Inclusive

A journey to South Georgia aboard Meredian is designed to be effortless and fully inclusive, so you can focus entirely on the adventure. Once on board, meals, cozy cabins, Zodiac landings, expert guides, micro-cruises, and safety gear are all taken care of. The small group and flexible itinerary let the captain follow wildlife and weather, while a warm, informal atmosphere, shared meals, and help with photography make the ship feel like a comfortable base for exploring one of the world’s most remote islands. Simply step aboard and relax.

Meredian 4 - 60 south
Meredian South Georgia 6
Flexibility

Flexibility is at the heart of every voyage aboard Meredian — a key advantage of exploring South Georgia on a small vessel. Rather than following rigid schedules or landing rotations, we adapt each day to weather, wildlife, and the interests of the group. With a small number of guests, plans can change quickly: shifting bays when winds rise, staying longer when light is perfect, or slowing for unexpected whales. Nothing feels rushed; the trip evolves naturally, turning each journey into a true expedition shaped by nature. In tune with it.

Itinerary

General Itinerary: Falkland & South Georgia

Your expedition begins in Stanley, where you board the vessel and set sail west toward the wild outer Falkland Islands. Over two full days, you explore remote bays, cliffs, and seabird colonies—home to albatross, rockhopper penguins, sea lions, and spectacular coastal scenery. The landings are intimate and uncrowded, offering an ideal warm-up for the adventure ahead.

Leaving the Falklands, the ship turns southeast into the open Southern Ocean. Over the four-day crossing to South Georgia, the voyage becomes part of the experience: watching albatrosses glide behind the ship, spotting petrels and whales, and attending engaging presentations from the expedition team.

Arrival in South Georgia marks the start of roughly 10 extraordinary days of exploring one of the most wildlife-rich places on Earth. Each day brings a mix of landings and Zodiac cruises among vast king penguin colonies, elephant seals, fur seals, historic whaling stations, towering glaciers, and dramatic mountain landscapes. The itinerary remains flexible, fully shaped by weather and wildlife to make the most of every moment.

After an unforgettable time in South Georgia, the ship begins the return journey, carrying guests home filled with memories of remote islands, abundant wildlife, and one of the world’s great polar voyages.

Meredian South Georgia 3
Day 1 – Nov 7
Stanley, Falkland Islands – Embarkation
Board Meredian in Stanley in the afternoon. Meet the crew, settle in, and enjoy a welcome briefing as you set sail westward toward the outer islands.
Day 1 – Nov 7
Meredian South Georgia
Days 2–3 – Nov 8–9
Western Falkland Islands
Day 2 – Carcass Island & West Point Island Explore Carcass Island’s gentle landscapes, abundant birdlife, and friendly penguins. Afternoon landing at West Point Island to visit the spectacular Black-Browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguin colony at Devil’s Nose. Day 3 – Saunders Island A full day to enjoy one of the Falklands’ most wildlife-rich islands. Possible encounters with Gentoo, King, Rockhopper, and Magellanic Penguins, plus soaring albatrosses along rugged cliffs. In the evening, set a course toward South Georgia.
Days 2–3 – Nov 8–9
Meredian South Georgia 12
Days 4–7 – Nov 10–13
At Sea – The Southern Ocean
Four days crossing the open ocean. Expect frequent sightings of wandering albatross, giant petrels, prions, and shearwaters riding the winds around the vessel. Daily talks, photography workshops, and deck watches enrich the journey as you close in on South Georgia.
Days 4–7 – Nov 10–13
Meredian South Georgia 11
Days 8–17 – Nov 14–23
South Georgia – 10 Days of Exploration
A flexible itinerary allows the captain and expedition leader to choose optimal sites based on weather and wildlife conditions. A sample route: Day 8 – Elsehul A dramatic first impression of South Georgia with soaring cliffs, fur seals, and nesting seabirds. Day 9 – Salisbury Plain & Prion Island Visit the iconic King Penguin colony at Salisbury Plain. In the afternoon, access Prion Island (seasonally permitted) to observe Wandering Albatross nests on the boardwalk. Day 10 – Fortuna Bay & Stromness Walk among fur seals and penguins at Fortuna Bay, then explore historic Stromness—central to Shackleton’s famous crossing. Day 11 – Grytviken & King Edward Point Clear customs at Grytviken, visit Shackleton’s grave, and explore the museum, KEP, and the historic whaling station. Day 12 – St. Andrews Bay A full day among the largest King Penguin colony on South Georgia, with tens of thousands of birds and striking glacier scenery. Day 13 – Gold Harbour Dramatic sunrises, hanging glaciers, elephant seals, and a vibrant mix of birdlife—one of South Georgia’s most photogenic sites. Day 14 – Cooper Bay & Drygalski Fjord Zodiac cruise through Cooper Bay for macaroni penguins, then sail deep into the spectacular Drygalski Fjord beneath towering ice-covered peaks. Day 15 – Ocean Harbour & Godthul Visit the remnants of a wreck and explore Ocean Harbour’s sheltered bay. Afternoon at Godthul, known for gentoo penguins and historic whaling artifacts. Day 16 – Royal Bay or Cape Rosa Landings chosen to match conditions—both sites offer rich wildlife and impressive glacial surroundings. Day 17 – Larsen Harbour or Possession Bay A final day immersed in fjords or coastal wildlife before turning west for the return journey. In the evening, set course back across the Southern Ocean toward the Falklands.
Days 8–17 – Nov 14–23
Antarctic Albatross Soaring Over Ocean, Cloudy Sky Backdrop
Days 18–21 – Nov 24–27
At Sea – Return to the Falkland
Four days at sea with opportunities for birdwatching, presentations, and enjoying Meredian’s quiet comfort. Keep watch for albatrosses escorting the ship toward the Falklands.
Days 18–21 – Nov 24–27
Meredian South Georgia 15
Day 22 – Nov 28
Stanley – Disembarkation
Arrive in Stanley in the morning. Farewell to the crew and fellow travelers. Disembark with unforgettable memories of South Georgia’s wildlife, landscapes, and history.
Day 22 – Nov 28

Inclusions

Included

Wine/beer with dinners onboard.
All meals and accommodation onboard the Vessel. All cabins are fully heated.
24/7 Coffee, Tea, Snacks & Chocolates
Beanie hat with the Vessel’s logo
A voucher for a free Cargo Hauler Wheeled 110 L duffel from our Gear Partner, Eagle Creek (please check with us for delivery restrictions)
Arctic Muck-boots for use in South Georgia
Kayaking Zodiac tours and landings with limited passengers on the beach
Internet voucher for 5 GB of data, for high speed internet (Starlink). -Wi-Fi Mesh through the vessel. Extra data can be purchased at cost onboard.
Full IAATO Member operator. Boats in full compliance with IAATO regulations. Guides and Crew with IAATO certificates.

Not Included

Any loss due to flights delays due to weather or logistical reasons
Required VISA to South Georgia -We can assist you
Required evacuation and medical insurance -We can advise, and you can book it from our website fast & easy. Typically it costs around $250 pp based on age and country of residency.

Check availability

FAQ's

Sailing to remote areas means that we are away from everything! That also means that if we need medical assistance, it can be days away. It also means that we have limited access to emails, facebook, etc, for the duration of the trip, and there is NO access to phone lines.
Our expeditions provide many very good things, the main one being that we only take 8 to 12 guests, but we are not a luxury cruise with jacuzzi, sauna or cabins with balconies -our balcony is the main deck!.
Sailing on an Expedition Yacht means that the cabins and common places are very small, and we, all the crew and passengers, share pretty much everything. It can be considered as an Adventure in its true meaning!
The cabins on our sailing boat Ocean Tramp are very small, one of them with barely space to stand inside, still they can be considered big for sailboats standards. Also, sailing boats have hatches on deck for ventilation, light and as an emergency escape route, but the downside is that sometimes when is very cold outside and warm inside, condensation will occur in the inside of the hatch, sometimes dripping if not dried -nothing that cannot be solved with a rag, or if weather allows by crack opening the hatch -ask our crew and they will do it for you.
The cabins on our motor Yacht Hans Hansson are slightly bigger compared to those on Ocean Tramp, but still small compared to regular cruise ships.

On board, all of the Meridian’s cabins feature private bathrooms and a spacious deck saloon offers panoramic views, along with a dedicated conference room for mission planning. The Meridian joins the 60 South fleet for both the Fly-Cruise program and special projects, offering a unique blend of comfort, range, and versatility.

An important question to ask yourself is “Am I in good shape for participating on these expeditions?” If your answer to the questions below are YES, then yes! You are fit to join us! Any questions, Please ask us!!
• Can you stay without external medical assistance for the duration of the expedition? -it could be up to 20 days
• Can you swim or float?
• Do you have good balance: Can you stay standing on a bus/metro/train with little to minimum holding in normal conditions?
• Can you embark/disembark from a zodiac to a beach with little swell?
• Can you walk 10 blocks/half a mile/ 1 km, without getting exhausted?
• Can you climb a 6ft / 2m vertical ladder?
• Are you aware that you are going to a remote area, with no phone access? (note, we now have Starlink onboard, so under normal conditions you should able to purchase internet access, but given that we have no control over the satellite system, we cannot guarantee its functionality over the duration of the trip)

• Am I a flexible person who can deal with changes and adjust to new situations? Do I understand that in Antarctica everything is weather permitting and plans not always goes according to plan?
Do I understand that I am joining a sailing boat, where spaces are small, ventilation is limited, water supply is limited, hot water is limited, and I am supposed to share my space with other guests?

Any questions, Please, ask us!!

 

This is a great trip for photographers, especially those looking to get the perfect shot. Our size offers us incredible flexibility. We can help you get some great shots and we can take advantage of the weather and the light!

Don’t worry – we will send you a list of gear you will need.  If you have winter clothes, most of it you will already have.  A must have are some Arctic Muck boots – insulated rubber boots.  They are amazing.

YES! Please join us. Anyone with a sense of adventure and a desire to spend quality time in Antarctica will find our trips enjoyable. We teach you everything you need to know. Sailors and non-sailors alike both have incredible experiences.

The cabins are spacious, and all of them have a private bathroom. Additionally, there is an option for four guests to have single occupancy. This vessel combines comfort and functionality, with a spacious deck saloon.

Everyone is a little different, but we highly recommend bringing some seasickness pills with you. While you will not be sailing across the Drake there could be a rough day to two down south. We recommend having a chat with your doctor and bringing some seasickness pills with you.

When we are in Antarctica, Meredian will act like a base camp. Some days we will travel other days we will stay put. Once we are anchored we will launch the zodiac to explore. Sometimes we will cruise around the in the zodiac exploring the area, other times we will use the zodiac to bring us to shore. Sometime on shore we will be able to freely move around, explore and hike, other times we may be limited due to the wildlife and limiting our impact on them. We also bring kayaks and can use them to explore at eye leve

On-board you will eat hearty well-made delicious home cooked food. Lunch is often warm soups and sandwiches, while dinner is the big meal of the day and can be a wide ranging based on the cook and crews’ favorites. The food might be described as healthy, comforting fare. We also always have snacks available during the day and water ready for coffee or tea. If you do have any special snacks or teas that you can’t live without, we recommend bringing some with you.
Passengers with dietary needs: The vessel is small and not a full-scale restaurant with multi options each meal. Our cooks will make their best effort to try to meet your needs, but some flexibility and understanding is also asked. We are a small boat, with only a fortnightly resupply by plane

Once you are onboard everything is included – port fees, meals, wine with meals. We also provide your basic safety equipment including life jackets. Flights to/from Punta Arenas to Antarctica.

Flights to/from Punta Arenas, airport transfers, and REQUIRED evacuation insurance. Accommodation before and after the trip is not included.

Yes. The places we go are quite remote and while what we do is safe, it does require some physical activity and advanced care could be days away. Once you sign up for a trip we will require you to fill out a medical form and have it signed by a doctor.

One of the wonderful aspects of this trip is it allows you to unplug and get away from emails, phone calls, etc. We do have a connection to the internet via our satellite phone. We use this for weather updates, email to update our position, emergencies, and facebook and blog updates. We encourage everyone to tell their friends and families to subscribe to our blog and like us on facebook. Then they can get updates while you are here with us. Our guests and their families have appreciated these “news” updates in the past.

Alcohol consumption is that the discretion of the captain. If we are underway sailing then we do not drink, as it is not in the interest of safety for crew and guests. If we are comfortably in a cove for the night then indeed, we all enjoy a nice glass of Argentine wine with our meal.
Inebriation will not be tolerated onboard and the Captain has the right to cancel a trip should guests not adhere to this policy.

We recognize that this trip is not cheap. When shopping around for Antarctica Trips consider how many days a vessel is actually in Antarctica. Many have two days crossing the Drake each way (or 4 days each way in a sailboat). Our trips are 14 days in ANTARCTICA. If you look at cost per day of actually being in Antarctica – our costs aren’t so different. In addition, our vessels only carry 8 or 12 passengers and we need to charter a plane.

Our Zodiac cruises are one of the highlights of every expedition. Unlike a simple transfer from ship to shore, they are an opportunity to explore Antarctica from sea level, getting closer to icebergs, glaciers and wildlife.

Our fleet is equipped with integrated 90-litre fuel tanks, allowing us to travel further, stay out longer and explore more of Antarctica’s spectacular coastline.

Every Zodiac is also fitted with AIS (Automatic Identification System) and navigation lights, enabling the bridge team to continuously monitor each Zodiac’s position and ensuring an additional layer of safety throughout every excursion.

The result is greater flexibility, more time exploring, and the freedom to make the most of whatever Antarctica has to offer.

IAATO (the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) was established to promote safe and environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica.

As an IAATO member, we operate in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System and IAATO’s comprehensive operational guidelines. This includes strict environmental standards, wildlife protection, biosecurity measures, safety procedures and responsible visitor management.

Travelling with an IAATO member means choosing an operator committed to protecting Antarctica while delivering a safe, responsible and unforgettable expedition experience.

At 60 South, we believe the people onboard make all the difference.

Our expeditions are led by qualified maritime professionals and experienced expedition leaders, all holding the certifications and seafarer qualifications required for their roles. Safety, professionalism and responsible operations are at the heart of everything we do.

With a maximum of just 8 or 12 guests, you’ll quickly get to know the team. Our small group sizes create a relaxed, highly personalised atmosphere where the crew has the time to share their knowledge, answer your questions and help you make the most of every moment in Antarctica.

For us, the crew are not simply there to operate the expedition; they’re there to be part of your journey.

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Charter our yachts

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Hans Hansson – Falklands

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Costs:
Contact us for more information
Duration:
21 Days

Interested in one of our trips?

Please fill out the form, and we’ll be delighted to have you join our next trip. We look forward to seeing you!

Interested in our Meredian – Falkland & South Georgia Expedition trip?

Please fill out the form, and we’ll be delighted to have you join our next trip. We look forward to seeing you!

You have made a penguin happy :)

Three penguins jumping onto an ice shelf in Antarctica

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