PELAGIC AUSTRALIS IN SOUTH GEORGIA - OCTOBER AND  NOVEMBER 2006


For our cruise to the Island of South Georgia the aim is to visit several places of interest, but spending enough time at each one to concentrate on these disciplines in a relaxed manner. Because of the vagaries of the weather in this rugged environment, the schedule outlined below is what may be possible, but will almost certainly not be adhered to! This is an expedition in the true sense of the word whereby we take things as they come and adapt to the circumstances.  See below for detailed itinerary.  To find out more about the destination generally see charter options link above.   Please  e-mail Skip Novak  for more information or to make a booking.

DATES

21 days on board.  
Trip 1 - 14 Oct - 4 Nov 2006 
Trip 2 - 4 Nov - 16 Dec 2006 


LOGISTICS

This cruise will begin and end in Stanley in the Falklands Islands. Stanley (Mount Pleasant Airport) is reached via Santiago and Punta Arenas on a once per week basis every Saturday with Lan Chile. Therefore these cruises can only be in multiples of seven days.

There is also a flight more or less once weekly from Brize Norton in the UK on the RAF Tristar. This is an expensive, but time saving alternative, but the flights are, however, variable due to military priority.

Guests would board the vessel immediately on arrival and (weather permitting) the next day we would sail for South Georgia. Considering the traverse time there and back, 12 days are envisaged on the island for shore landings. It is the intention to be back in Stanley no later than the night before the Saturday flight out on Day 22 of the schedule.

COST

12000 EUROS per person which is all inclusive of food and drink once on board. A maximum of eight guests is envisaged. 

This cost includes the use of Musto HPX sailing four weather gear, all personal safety equipment for sailing (lifejacket, harness) and the use of the Inmarsat communications equipment.

Pelagic Australis at anchor rides out a 70 knot gust in Ocean Harbour S. Georgia. 
Photo: Northanger Collection 2005-Keri Pashuk 

NOTE: Due to the fragile nature of the fauna and flora on the island and the fact that tourist impact for some areas is under study and analysis, we cannot guarantee that all wildlife sites can be visited, as government reserves the right to close off any area deemed to be under threat at short notice.

PROPOSED ITINERARY

DAY 1

The charter guests arrive at Mount Pleasant Airport and take a 40 minute bus ride to Stanley to meet Pelagic Australis. They move on board immediately. The afternoon is spent stowing personal gear, familiarizing the team with the vessel and having a safety briefing.

DAY 2 - 4

Weather permitting, the vessel would leave Stanley bound for the northwest corner of the island 750 miles away. In most cases this would be a fast downwind passage in the prevailing westerly winds. Passage time would be roughly three to three and a half days.

DAY 5

Landfall will be on the Willis Islands and we would continue with a passage through Bird Sound between Bird Island and mainland. We would then sail down the east coast of the island to the Bay of Isles where we would anchor at Rosita Harbour to spend the night. Here we would have a thorough briefing of the guidelines to follow with respect to the wildlife.

DAY 6

Weather permitting, we would land on Prion Island in the Bay of Isles to concentrate a half day (this is the maximum allowance per visit according to the government’s management plan for this sensitive area) with Great Wandering Albatross. This island has one of the highest concentrations of nesting Great Wanderers in the world. We would then sail overnight to King Edward Point which is the administrative base for the island.

DAY 7

The day would be spent in King Edward Point which is a short walk from Grytviken, the premier shore based whaling facility on South Georgia which was abandoned in the 60’s. Visiting the whaling station with opportunities for walks on the high ground behind the station would take up the day and evening. 

DAY 8

An early morning short run down the coast brings us to Cobblers Cove, a natural harbour with a dramatic entrance. Gentoo Penguins are nesting on the slopes above the cove, while Macaroni Penguins can be found up over a pass back to the north (an hour walk). We would spend the night at Cobblers Cove. This is a good storm anchorage, so it would be used as a fall back in case of heavy weather while further down the coast.

DAY 9

Weather permitting, we would attempt the beach landing at Prince Andrew Bay a few hours steaming from Cobblers Cove. Behind the beach is the largest colony of King Penguins on the Island. In order reach the main part of the colony we would have to trek to the snout of a glacier in order to cross the river flowing from it down to the sea. It is a spectacular wildlife venue on a fine day.


DAY 10

Further south along the coast lies Gold Harbour which is one of the most scenic anchorages on the island. Again the landing is on an open shoreline and weather dependent and if successful we would spend the day on the beaches.

DAYS 11 – 12

Near the southern tip of the island Cooper Bay affords a rich variety of wildlife, including Fur Seals (in less concentrations and thereby the colonies more easily accessed) and many harems of Elephant Seals with the competing bulls (October cruise only). Two days in the area are required to fully explore the bay. If need be, the nights would be spent nearby in a safer anchorage at Larsen Harbour, a dramatic fjord with a glacier at its head.

DAYS 13 - 15

Most likely lost due to adverse weather, so we would in effect be spending more time in either Cobblers Cove, Larsen Harbour, Rosita Harbour or King Edward Point, all with access to the shore in bad weather.


DAYS 16 – 17

About this time we would need to be on standby for the return to Stanley. By Day 16, if there was a favorable weather window (considering the return is against the prevailing wind) we would be obliged to take the opportunity, in order to make sure that we arrive on time for the guests to make the plane on the Saturday.

DAYS 16 -21

Passage back to Stanley, arriving no later than the night of DAY 21.

DAY 22

Flight from Mount Pleasant Airport back to Punta Arenas with a direct connection to Santiago.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Equipment List 3    -   For expedition cruises to Antarctica, South Georgia, Spitzbergen, Greenland, Iceland and Labrador.

 Please  e-mail Skip Novak  for more information or to make a booking.

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