South Shetland Islands cruise port guide
The ice-coated Antarctic Peninsula forms perhaps the most accessible region of mainland Antarctica, lying a mere 480-miles away from South America, across the fabled waters of Drakes Passage. Lying close to the northwestern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, separated by the Bransfield Strait, the South Shetland Islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty, suspending claims on their sovereignty. View less Several countries maintain research bases here, and with plump elephant seals, and crowds of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie Penguins also calling the islands home, it can even feel a little crowded at times. King George Island is the largest and most hospitable island, hosting the majority of the research stations - some of which are populated all-year-round by tiny, hardy crews. Don’t be fooled though, these islands offer extraordinary adventure in one of the most remote locations on earth. The triple peaks of Mount Foster tower above the archipelago, and you’ll feel your heart pumping a little quicker, as you sail into the core of Deception Island’s magnificent collapsed volcano caldera. Hike the luna landscapes within, and even dip into the improbably warm, geothermally-heated waters of Pendulum Cove. Elephant Island, meanwhile, is written deep into the annals of Antarctic expedition legend, as the site where Ernest Shackleton and the stricken crew of the Endurance miraculously survived a harsh Antarctic winter, in 1916. Discover even more reasons to visit this incredible icy kingdom and find out why many consider the South Shetland Islands to be the jewel in Antarctica’s Crown, by reading our blog.
About South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are an archipelago of 11 main islands in the Southern Ocean north of the Antarctic Peninsula. They are the most-visited area of Antarctica for expedition cruise ships, with Deception Island (a submerged caldera), King George Island's research stations, and abundant penguin and seal colonies.
Quick facts
Cruises visiting South Shetland Islands
Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.
Sailing soonest
Puerto Williams to King George Island
Silver Wind · Polar Regions · 9 nights
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King George Island to King George Island
Silver Endeavour · South America · 6 nights
from $23,400
$3,900 / night
King George Island to King George Island
Silver Endeavour · Antarctica · 6 nights
from $21,700
$3,616 / night
King George Island to Puerto Williams
Silver Wind · Polar Regions · 9 nights
Call for price
King George Island to King George Island
Silver Endeavour · South America · 6 nights
from $23,900
$3,983 / night
In-depth Antarctica Falklands & South Georgia
MS Fram · South America · 22 nights
from $34,944
$1,588 / night
Showing the 20 least-expensive of 76 sailings.
Showing 76 South Shetland Islands cruises
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