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South Orkney Islands
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They were named, together with the South Shetland Islands, after the islands in northern Scotland by the Scottish sealers that frequented the area.
The islands were discovered only in 1821 when they were sighted by the respectively British and American sealers George Powell and Nathaniel Palmer. The islands consist mainly of rock and ice (85 % is glaciated), with little vegetation. Argentina and the United Kingdom have scientific stations on the islands, the Orcadas Station and Signy Station.
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Currently we do not have any South Orkney Islands cruises available.
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Latest blog and customer story
Blog（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/from-stonington-to-the-south-orkney-islands-the-legacy-of-nathaniel-palmer）
From Stonington to the South Orkney Islands: The legacy of Nathaniel Palmer（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/from-stonington-to-the-south-orkney-islands-the-legacy-of-nathaniel-palmer）
Nathanial Brown Palmer, also known as 'Captain Nat,' was an American sealer, whaler, ship designer, and explorer whose polar legacy continues today. Palmer played a crucial role in discovering and naming several iconic locations in Antarctica, many of which you can visit during an expedition cruise.
All related posts（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog?region=antarctica&destination=south-orkney-islands&type=blog.news）
Customer story（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/antarctica-the-trip-of-a-lifetime）
Antarctica: the Trip of a Lifetime（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/antarctica-the-trip-of-a-lifetime）
Antarctica - The Trip of a Lifetime
Share your story（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/customer-story/create）
Latest highlight and wildlife
Highlights（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/experiences/zodiac-cruising-shore-program）
See the highlights you may experience:
— Zodiac Cruising & Shore Program（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/experiences/zodiac-cruising-shore-program）
— Orcadas Base（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/experiences/orcadas-station-on-south-orkney）
— Zodiac Cruising around the South Orkney Islands（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/experiences/zodiac-cruising-around-the-south-orkney-islands）
— Shore-Based Walking（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/experiences/shore-based-walking-excursions-1）
More highlights（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do?region=antarctica&destination=south-orkney-islands&ttype=experiences）
Wildlife（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/arctic-tern）
See the highlights you may experience:
— Arctic Tern（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/arctic-tern）
— Adelie Penguin（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/adelie-penguin）
— Chinstrap Penguin（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/chinstrap-penguin）
— Southern Elephant Seal（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/elephant-seal）
More wildlife（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do?region=antarctica&destination=south-orkney-islands&ttype=wildlife）
Map of the South Orkney Islands
Fan(tastic) photo
Share your photo（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/customer-pictures/create） See gallery（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/gallery/customer-pictures/gallery）
South Orkney Islands cruise reviews
Trip of a Lifetime（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/review/trip-of-a-lifetime-16）
by Marie Ann Daloia
Antarctica（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/antarctica）
I traveled to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica on the Hondius in early January 2024. I chose Oceanwide because they are an excellent, low key, and deeply safety conscious operator. Their crew is incredibly professional and caring, and they always put the well being of their passengers above everything else. The wildlife and landscapes one sees on this itinerary are incredible. I saw seven penguin species, penguin chicks of four species, Antarctic fur seals and pups, Elephant seals and pups, Weddell seals, Orca, Humpback whales and numerous species of other birds. I hope to travel with Oceanwide Expeditions again -- South Georgia is one of the most beautiful places on the planet and I want to see more of it in a different season.
Best trip ever（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/review/best-trip-ever-12）
by Muriel de Kok
Antarctica（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/antarctica）
We saw so many beautifull animals and surroundings! It feels unreal when you are there. Very happy we also did the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Great expeditionteam and hospitalityteam on the ship.
Trip of a Lifetime. Bucket List checked. In honor of my love Michael.（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/review/trip-of-a-lifetime-15）
by Candice Quinn
Antarctica（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/antarctica）
Solo travel on Hondius Feb 2025 to Falkland, South Georgia and Antarctica. Saw 7 different Penguin species. Rockhopper, Gentoo, Magellanic, Macaroni, Adelie, Chinstrap & King Penguin. Saw different Whales as well. Minke Whale, Killer Whale / Orcas, Humpback Whales. Saw different birds. Saw different Seals. Fur Seals, Crab Eater Seals, Leopard Seals, Weddell Seals. Beautiful Landscape. Expedition Team great. Crew and Staff great. Love everything about my trip. Worth the money spent. Thanks for the trip log & slideshow. Food is great. Activities great. Love the zodiac cruise and landings.
Trip of a lifetime!（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/review/trip-of-a-lifetime-14）
by Jake Tant-Arrillaga
Antarctica（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/antarctica）
My wife and I had such a good time aboard Hondius. Pippa and her team were great. We were well taken care of and fed by the hotel team and always felt safe aboard. We got so lucky with the weather and wildlife, which are always big variables in these types of trips. South Georgia is definitely one of the top places I've ever visited and we'll have memories of this trip for the rest of our lives! Thanks for everything!!!
This is your sign to book it!（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/review/this-is-your-sign-to-book-it）
by Melissa Tant-Arrillaga
Antarctica（https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/antarctica）
My husband and I had an amazing 23 day journey to the Falklands + South Georgia + Antarctica! A huge part of this success came from the Oceanwide team — the ability of an expedition mindset allowed the team to be flexible and keep our best interests at heart.