This fascinating, but remote Antarctic archipelago is not often visited. The archipelago is located about 550 kilometres (340 miles) to the south-east of South Georgia. The volcanic islands are the easternmost extent of the Scotia Ridge, the mostly sub-oceanic ridge that connects Tierra del Fuego with the Antarctic Peninsula. The chain of eleven major islands extends over 380 kilometres (240 miles) from north to south. All of the islands are active volcanoes, most of them have had eruptions in the last hundred years.
Cruises to the South Sandwich Islands
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer incl. South Georgia - South Sandwich Islands - Neuschwabenland - Larsen Ice Shelf - Paulet and Devil Island - Elephant Island, incl. helicopters
22 Jan - 18 Feb, 2026
•Tripcode: OTL29a26
This adventurous expedition explores one of the least-visited areas on Earth, Antarctica’s amazing Weddell Sea. After visiting some of the same sites legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton’s charted in South Georgia, we’ll enjoy the Weddell’s exotic wildlife...
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer - incl. helicopters
7 Feb - 6 Mar, 2027
•Tripcode: OTL28-27
This adventurous expedition explores one of the least-visited areas on Earth, Antarctica’s amazing Weddell Sea. After visiting some of the same sites legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton’s charted in South Georgia, we’ll enjoy the Weddell’s exotic wildlife...
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Weddell Sea, Shackleton’s Endurance, and New Swabia
Our Antarctica 2023-24 cruise program is filled with fantastic expeditions, not least of which is a new itinerary that tours key locations of South Georgia, the Weddell Sea, and the more easterly area of New Swabia (Neuschwabenland).
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South Sandwich Islands FAQ
What is the Temperature and Weather like in the South Sandwich Islands?
The climate in the South Sandwich Islands is polar, and it is much colder than nearby South Georgia. This is due to the placement of the South Sandwich Islands, which make them exposed to the Antarctic continent’s cold outbreaks. A trip to the South Sandwich Islands via a cruise is also impossible from May through December due to sea ice.
The average winter temperature in the South Sandwich Islands dips as low as -6 degrees Celsius (21.2 degrees Fahrenheit), but there have been recorded instances of South Thule getting as low as -29.8 degrees Celsius (-21.6 degrees Fahrenheit). During the summer, expedition cruises to the South Sandwich Islands can expect an average high temperature of around 8 degrees Celsius (46.4 degrees Fahrenheit) but somewhat lower temperatures should be expected in the later summer season. 3.
What Wildlife Can I See in the South Sandwich Islands?
The South Sandwich Islands have been recognized by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area for the penguins and seabirds in the area, which makes a voyage to the South Sandwich Islands a popular once in a lifetime destination for birders. It is also possible to see a diverse selection of marine life while traveling across the water to the South Sandwich Islands. Some of the wildlife that may be visible from the cruise ship includes several different whale species including Orca’s.
What is the Capital of the South Sandwich Islands?
The South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia share the same administrative center: King Edward Point. This is also the largest settlement in the entire region, and it can be found on the northeastern coast of South Georgia. King Edward Point was explored for the first time in 1901, and it was named after King Edward VII from the United Kingdom. The Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands is located in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).
How Many People Live in the South Sandwich Islands?
South Sandwich Islands have been uninhabited since 1982, but the islands and South Georgia have a combined average population of only 30 people. However, none of these individuals are native-born, and no one is given the status of a permanent resident. Approximately 67 percent of these temporary inhabitants live in Grytviken, South Georgia. The remainder of the people who reside part-time in this area are part of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), and they live at King Edwards Point.
Who Owns the South Sandwich Islands?
The South Sandwich Islands is an British overseas territory and a part of the South Georgia. The islands were first spotted in 1775, but they were not established as their own region until 1820. Argentina made a claim on the South Sandwich Islands in 1938, and they continued to debate with the U.K. over ownership until 1982. Since that time, the last Argentinian station was closed and no one has moved to the South Sandwich Islands.
What Unique Features Do the South Sandwich Islands Have?
The 11 uninhabited islands that make up the South Sandwich Islands are mostly volcanic, and some of them even have active volcanoes. Montagu is one of the largest islands, and it is also home to the highest point in the South Sandwich Islands: Mount Belinda, which stands 1,370 meters (4,495 feet) tall. There are six passages that make it possible to travel between the South Sandwich Islands. Zavodovski Island contains an estimated 1 million Chinstrap penguin breeding pairs, making it one of the most intriguing, but also hardest to land at, places in the South Sandwich Islands. The extreme nature and location of the place in combination with huge icebergs and incredible wildlife is the main attraction of the South Sandwich Islands. It is not a place many people get to visit.
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About
South Sandwich Islands Weather
Your South Sandwich visit takes you into Antarctic weather, so dress warmly! During the winter the thermometer can dip as low as almost -30°C and the island is crowded in with pack ice. During the short summers (when you’ll be visiting) you’re likely to encounter temperatures around 0°C and 5°C.
Facts about The South Sandwich Islands
- The South Sandwich Islands are volcanic in origin and some boast volcanoes which are still active.
- The South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited.
- The South Sandwich Islands are considered British overseas territory. Argentina has also made a claim for the islands, and they were part of the dispute of the Falklands War (1982).
- Captain James Cook discovered the Islands in 1775. He names them after the fourth Earl of Sandwich.
- The South Sandwich Islands are made up of 11 islands that stretch out over 390 kilometres.
- The islands are host to over 3,000,000 Chinstrap Penguins, plus more than 100,000 Macaroni Penguins, 100,000 Adélies, and thousands of Gentoos as well.
- Along with the penguins there are also hundreds of thousands of Petrels, Antarctic Fulmars, Terns, Gulls, Shags, and Skuas.
Travel to the South Sandwich Islands
Your South Sandwich Islands cruise takes you to some of the most remote islands in the world. The South Sandwich Island trips will give you the chance to check out hundreds of thousands of sea birds, not to mention some of the millions of penguins that call the Islands home. When you travel to the South Sandwich Islands you’re not just going to meet birds, you’ll also have the chance to see fur seals, Leopard seals, Southern Elephant seals, Weddell seals, and Crabeater seals. The scenery is rugged and inhospitable and the surrounding sea is littered with massive icebergs.
