Our first day exploring wildlife was met with a fresh breeze and welcoming smiles as our guests took to shore to discover a colony of black-browed albatross and rockhopper penguins. Zodiac rides ashore were guided by Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins, and along the shoreline, kelp geese and oystercatchers flipped over beach refuse in search of a meal. But perhaps the most unexpected wildlife came from below the water as our dive team rolled off the Zodiacs to explore the marine environment existing under the kelp-strewn waves.
1/20/2025
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National Geographic Endurance
Hercules Bay and Grytviken, South Georgia
After yesterday’s windy start to our South Georgia visit, it was delightful to awaken this morning to calm conditions in Hercules Bay. Exploring by Zodiac, we found riches of avian and pinniped wildlife, lush vegetation, and swirling kelp forests. Macaroni penguins clambered down steep hillsides from their tussock burrows to the sea. Light-mantled albatross soared overhead, and playful young fur seals filled the intertidal zone. Strikingly folded sedimentary rocks created a dramatic landscape. The blustery and snowy afternoon was spent at Grytviken, one of six former shore-based whaling stations on the island. In the small cemetery, we honored the legacy and leadership of Sir Ernest Shackleton with a toast. Hikers climbed above the site for a view over the bay, while others enjoyed walking tours with a historian from the South Georgia Heritage Trust to learn about station infrastructure and daily life. The whaling and sealing past of this region provide a tangible reminder that modern conservation efforts are critical to the Southern Ocean’s ecological future.
