The South Orkney Islands
Discover the destination
Why the South Orkney Islands?
See all cruises in Antarctica
Explore

More Inspiration
Brochures can be ordered in print or downloaded in digital format.
Discover the destination
See all cruises in Antarctica

Brochures can be ordered in print or downloaded in digital format.
Discover the destination
More than 600 km north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Orkney Islands embody these 'end of the world landscapes' to explore during an Antarctic cruise. Discover five unusual facts about these islands.
Located below the 60th parallel South, the South Orkney Islands fall under the Antarctic Treaty. This treaty protects them against nuclear testing, disposal of radioactive waste, mineral exploitation and military activities. No state can claim ownership of them. However, the United Kingdom and Argentina both claim territorial rights over the islands.
Both Argentina and the UK have established scientific bases in the islands. Located on Laurie Island, the Argentine base Orcadas is a meteorological and climate station that has been operating since 1904 – making it the oldest station in Antarctica. The British research station on Signy Island bears the same name. Managed by the British Antarctic Survey, it conducts biological studies on birds and marine animals. Scientific interest also lies in the summer flora: some local mosses and grasses are believed to date back 4,500 years.
Seal and whale hunting took a heavy toll on these islands in the early 20th century, especially in South Georgia. Norwegian whalers established processing factories to extract whale oil, and remnants of these facilities can still be seen today.
Today, the islands are a refuge for leopard seals, which can be seen lounging on the beaches. Rockhopper, gentoo and chinstrap penguins also thrive here, making the most of the expansive land and rich surrounding waters.
With powerful winds, and 280 days of snowfall and 520 hours of sunshine a year, the climate of the South Orkney Islands is one of the harshest in the world. Up to 85% of the land is covered by glaciers.