Grytviken

Every visitor needs a visit permit from the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, whatever their nationality, and it must be arranged in advance. In practice the operator of your voyage applies on behalf of everyone aboard, and the fee is normally built into the fare. Requirements for the countries you travel through to reach the ship depend on your passport, so check your specific requirements on their destination pages at Yoogo.

The pound sterling is the official currency. The only places to spend anything are the South Georgia Museum shop and the post office at Grytviken, both of which take cards and sterling. Everything else is settled through your ship's onboard account.

Voyages are run by experienced polar operators and serious incidents are rare, but the island has no hospital and no permanent settlement beyond the research station at King Edward Point. Landings are frequently cancelled at short notice because of swell, wind, or aggressive fur seals on the beaches. Operators require insurance covering medical evacuation from a remote position.

There is no airport, so the island is reached only by sea, usually on a voyage from Ushuaia or the Falkland Islands that takes several days. Once there, everything happens by zodiac landing and on foot. There are no roads, no vehicles for visitors, and no way to move independently between sites.

The season runs from October to March. October and November bring king penguin courtship, elephant seal battles, and snow still lying on the beaches, while December and January are the warmest and busiest, with fur seal pups everywhere. February and March offer calmer beaches, moulting kings, and the best chance of whales offshore.

English is the language of the territory and of the British Antarctic Survey team at King Edward Point. There is no permanent civilian population, so there is no local dialect or second language to prepare for. Expedition ships often carry guides who speak German, Spanish, or French.

No vaccinations are required for South Georgia itself, though the countries you transit through may have their own rules. Most operators require a medical fitness declaration, because the nearest hospital is several days away by sea. Bring ample prescription medication, as nothing can be resupplied once you sail.

There is nowhere on the island where tipping applies, since there are no restaurants, hotels, or taxis. Tipping the crew and expedition team of your ship at the end of the voyage is customary, usually as a suggested daily amount charged to your onboard account. The museum shop and post office do not expect tips.