A Trip to Grytviken, South Georgia

The video below includes quite a bit of my traditional photography and video as well as my drone work! It’s been a while since I included that work as well.

While Grytviken was once the largest settlement (and whaling station) on the Island of South Georgia, it now boasts a population of eight people.

The Remote Island

South Georgia is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island is classified as polar tundra climate on the Köppen-Geiger classification system. It is one of the most northern places within the Antarctic convergence. This allows for all the rich nutrients of the Southern Ocean to provide nutrition for wildlife. It is a breeding ground for Fur Seals (which can be seen blowing bubbles in the water in this video), Elephant Seals and King Penguins. You'll notice in the footage that there are no trees on the island because of its extreme southern polar climate.

It is governed as part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It s only about 1,400km (870 miles) from the Falklands. Due to its harsh climate and remote location it had no indigenous population when Europeans first saw it in 1675. It was claimed as a British possession in 1775 and named in honour of King George III. This island was a part of the contested territory during the Falklands War in 1982.

The Last Resting Place of Shackleton

The white chapel seen in the footage is the Norwegian Anglican Church, (also called "Whalers Church", "Norwegian Lutheran Church", and the "Grytviken Church") It was consecrated on Christmas Day in 1913, and in 1922 held the funeral service for Sir Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton was buried in the cemetery. There are also many empty graves for whalers lost at sea.

Norwegian Anglican Church, 2024

South Georgia is one of the most beautiful and interesting places on earth. I will go out of my way to have the opportunity to visit there as many times in a season as I possibly can. If you have the opportunity to travel to South Georgia—GO!

This video footage was captured while working with Albatros Expeditions and in accordance to IAATO guidelines and with the proper permits and permissions from the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.

Antarctica is the last wilderness, and an important place to protect. Antarctic content and expeditions should create a greater understanding of the environment. Antarctic Ambassadors are a collaboration of people who care passionately about Antarctica and protecting its unique landscape. You can learn about how to become an Antarctic Ambassador by visiting the IAATO website here: https://iaato.org/antarctic-ambassadors/