The world’s most inhospitable regions for human life boast the most incredible array of wildlife. Just take care you don’t become the next meal for a hungry polar bear, marauding sea lion or nesting albatross.
- South Georgia
Take a march with the tens of thousands of King Penguins on this island south of Latin America. It is also home to mind-boggling numbers of elephant and fur seals, macaroni penguins and albatross. Stunning scenery, immense ice-crowned mountains, pristine beaches and whaling stations complete the package. The abandoned whaling station at Grytviken is the grave of the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
- Falkland Islands
These beautiful and remote islands are filled with spectacular wildlife. Five species of penguin breed in the Falkland Islands and share the waters and beaches with elephant seals, sea lions and fur seals. The unpolluted environment and clear skies make it one of the world’s most prestigious wildlife destinations.
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Experience Newfoundland’s clear air and warm sun for a journey into a magical and unique land. The world’s largest herds of Caribou roam here and there are moose, whales, icebergs and all the history of the Vikings, British, Irish and Inuit settlers.
- Wrangle Island, Russia
This is a popular stop on most expeditions largely because of the fabulous flora and fauna. Let your camera run wild on the blooming Arctic wildflowers encase the ground, polar bears, walrus, musk ox, reindeer, tundra geese and an enormous number of nesting birds.
- Chopper to the Emperor Penguins, Snow Hill Island
This colony of 4000 breeding Emperor Penguins on this remote island is reachable only by icebreaker and helicopter. It’s truly a journey of a lifetime to get here. Go nuts with your camera with a completely snow capped panorama and the bow tied friends.
- Seymour Island, Weddell Sea
This remote island nestles amongst the ice floes of the northern Weddell Sea. Fossils of long extinct species have been found here and you can also visit one of Antarctica’s scientific bases. Enjoy the rich wildlife of the area and see the area where Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed by ice in 1915.
- New Zealand Islands
Snare, Auckland, Macquaire, Campbell, Antipodes and Bounty Islands are the forgotten islands of the South Pacific, and kind of the Galapagos’ of Antarctica. They are completely unspoiled and home to plants, seabirds and marine animals not found anywhere else in the world. Nine species of albatross, eight species of penguins, the world’s rarest sea lion, petrels, prions and shearwaters all call these islands home.
- Baffin Island, Canadian Arctic
This is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic and boasts deep fjords, ice-capped mountains and vast tundra. It’s the perfect domain of the adventure traveler. Lookout for Arctic hare and beluga whales particularly if you’re kayaking.
- Kolyuchin Island, Russia
Sit amidst the hundreds of nesting puffins and wander through graveyards of ancient walrus skulls left from hunting days. Enjoy the wildflowers in the rocky landscape.
- Kayaking in the South Shetland Islands
Cross the Scotia Sea to the magical world of icebergs and ice-covered mountains around the archipelago of around 20 islands. Paddle your kayak to the shore to view Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, seals and all the stunning scenery.