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Experience the extraordinary wildlife and pristine landscapes of the Southern Ocean on this 15-day spring expedition aboard MV Aureum. Sailing from the Falkland Islands to the rugged wilderness of South Georgia and back, you'll spend 13 days exploring two of the planet's most remarkable wildlife destinations aboard an intimate expedition vessel carrying just 36 guests. Spring is one of the most rewarding times to visit South Georgia, when snow still cloaks the island's dramatic peaks and glaciers, and the annual wildlife spectacle begins to unfold. Witness bustling King Penguin colonies, elephant seals establishing breeding harems, and seabirds returning to nest, all while exploring remote bays and historic landing sites by Zodiac. With just 36 guests on board, everyone can enjoy shore landings together, giving your experienced expedition team the flexibility to adapt each day to the best wildlife encounters, weather and sea conditions. Combined with the rich birdlife and fascinating history of the Falkland Islands, this immersive voyage offers an exceptional introduction to one of the Southern Hemisphere's last great wildernesses.
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Day 1
Arrive in Port Stanley, board MV Aureum
Depending on your travel arrangements, you'll either be met on arrival at Mount Pleasant Airport or join the expedition team in town before embarking MV Aureum later this afternoon. After settling into your cabin, attend mandatory safety briefings before joining your fellow travellers and expedition team for a welcome cocktail and dinner as your Southern Ocean adventure begins.
Meals: D
Day 2-3
Scotia Sea
Settle into life aboard MV Aureum as you sail across the Scotia Sea towards South Georgia. Spend time on deck scanning the horizon for wandering albatrosses, petrels and other seabirds that thrive in these nutrient-rich waters, while attending engaging lectures and presentations from your expedition team covering the region's wildlife, history and geology. As you journey south, you'll cross the Antarctic Convergence, where warmer northern waters meet the colder Southern Ocean, creating one of the world's richest marine ecosystems. Weather permitting, you'll pass the dramatic Shag Rocks, a remote cluster of jagged sea stacks renowned for their abundant seabirds and marine life—the first sign that South Georgia is just over the horizon.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 4-11
South Georgia Exploration
Spend the next eight days exploring the extraordinary wilderness of South Georgia, home to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. Travelling aboard MV Aureum, your experienced expedition team will shape each day's activities around the prevailing weather, sea conditions and wildlife opportunities, maximising your time ashore with daily Zodiac excursions and guided landings. Witness vast King Penguin colonies at iconic locations such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay, where hundreds of thousands of birds gather alongside breeding elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals. Explore historic Grytviken, visiting the former whaling station, museum and the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton, before discovering the dramatic fjords, glaciers and rugged coastline that make South Georgia one of the Southern Ocean's most captivating destinations. Depending on conditions, your expedition may also explore remarkable locations including Bird Island, Elsehul, Fortuna Bay, Stromness Bay, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord, Ocean Harbour, King Haakon Bay and the magnificent Nordenskjöld Glacier. From wandering albatrosses soaring overhead to penguins crowding the beaches and seals hauled out along the shore, every day offers new opportunities to experience one of the world's last great wildlife sanctuaries.
Day 12-14
Bid farewell to South Georgia as MV Aureum turns north across the Scotia Sea towards the Falkland Islands. Spend your final days at sea enjoying life on board, with expert lectures, photography workshops and time on deck watching for albatrosses, petrels, whales and other Southern Ocean wildlife. As the Falkland Islands come back into view, weather and sea conditions permitting, there may be an opportunity for one final zodiac excursion or shore landing before returning to Stanley. It's a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable expedition through one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations.
Day 15
Trip concludes in Port Stanley
Our trip concludes in Port Stanley this morning after breakfast.
Meals: B
What's included
What's not included
Our voyages are designed for curious travellers — not just passengers. While our itineraries offer a range of activities, from gentle Zodiac cruises to more challenging hikes and paddles, it’s important to understand the nature of this experience before you join us. These expeditions are suitable for most travellers with an adventurous spirit, good health, and the ability to move confidently around a vessel — especially in variable weather and sea conditions. Some shore landings and excursions may involve uneven terrain, wet landings, or light scrambling. Boarding Zodiacs and navigating the ship may require balance and agility, though our experienced team is always on hand to assist. Each trip may include a variety of optional activities, most of which require no prior experience. You might find yourself kayaking past icebergs, snowshoeing across pristine landscapes, or even catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Of course, all activities are optional — you’re always welcome to stay aboard and enjoy the ship at your own pace. Not sure if this trip is right for you?
Get in touch with our team — we’re here to help you choose the experience that best suits your interests, comfort, and curiosity.
Purpose-built for expedition cruising, Aureum has been designed to offer an exceptionally intimate polar experience with just 36 guests on board. Combining advanced hybrid propulsion, an ice-strengthened hull and a remarkably high expedition guide-to-guest ratio, she is built for travellers who value time ashore, flexibility and close access to wildlife over large-ship amenities. Her small size allows for fast zodiac operations, meaning guests spend less time waiting and more time exploring Antarctica and South Georgia. Contemporary Scandinavian-inspired interiors, generous observation spaces and an open bridge policy create a relaxed atmosphere where the expedition itself remains the focus.
Signature Suite - 4 Cabins
Located on the Bridge Deck, the spacious 24.5m² Signature Suite features a large picture window, private ensuite and flexible twin or double bedding. With additional living space and elevated views, it offers a comfortable retreat between excursions, complemented by Starlink Wi-Fi, ample storage and thoughtful expedition amenities.
Signature Twin - 8 Cabins
Located on the Upper Deck, the 18m² Signature Twin features a large picture window, private ensuite and flexible twin or double bedding. Bright and comfortable, these cabins provide a welcoming base for your expedition, with Starlink Wi-Fi, generous storage and practical amenities designed for polar exploration.
Signature Single - 6 Cabins
Located on the Upper Deck, the 12.5m² Signature Single offers dedicated accommodation for solo travellers, featuring a large picture window, private ensuite and a comfortable single bed. Designed to maximise space and functionality, each cabin includes Starlink Wi-Fi, generous storage and practical amenities for expedition cruising.
Classic Twin - 2 Cabins
Located on the Main Deck, the 17.5m² Classic Twin features a porthole window, private ensuite and flexible twin or double bedding. Positioned low and centrally within the ship, it offers a comfortable retreat with ample storage, Starlink Wi-Fi and thoughtful amenities for life on expedition.
Classic Single - 2 Cabins
Located on the Main Deck, the 12.5m² Classic Single offers dedicated accommodation for solo travellers, featuring a porthole window, private ensuite and a comfortable single bed. Positioned low and centrally within the ship, it provides a quiet and comfortable retreat with Starlink Wi-Fi, ample storage and thoughtful expedition amenities.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Explore places the big ships can’t with the widest selection of genuine small-ship, activity-first cruising. On Water Expeditions offers exceptional value, quality services, no hidden costs, and plenty of inclusions.
Don't watch the action sail past your window, dive into it! Designed for active travellers, these itineraries give you more time to adventure off the boat.
Activity is built into every journey. From paddling to hiking, enjoy a basecamp-style experience that injects fun, meaningful connections and thrilling adventure into it.
Each voyage is thoughtfully selected for low-impact exploration, supporting genuine conservation and sustainability while respecting local communities and environments.
12 Days
13 Days