Learn about the island’s Whaling History

Located close to Antarctica in the wild waters of the south Atlantic Ocean, South Georgia is home to the most amazing wildlife, but it was also once a thriving centre for the whaling industry. During the 19th century, whales were prized for their high-value oil, which was used for oil lamps, and for decades whaling was a massive industry around the island.

Grytviken

Grytviken was once home to the largest whaling station on the island, and it’s impossible to walk around the corroded remains of the old processing plant without feeling a heavy sadness for the thousands of animals that were slaughtered here on such a vast scale over the decades. Also, don’t miss the museum in Grytviken, which is full of interesting information about the island’s whaling history.

Visit Shackleton’s last resting place 

No trip to South Georgia would be complete without visiting Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave, who died on South Georgia in 1922. Shackleton visited the island several times during his Antarctic expeditions, and it was on South Georgia that he undertook one of the most memorable treks in polar history.

A 10-minute walk from the museum in Grytviken, a small white wooden fence encircles the cemetery, which is filled with the graves of former whalers and sailors, including Sir Ernest Shackleton himself. Make sure to leave time to join in the time-honoured tradition of Toasting the Boss at his graveside with a tot of Grytviken whisky!

The Falklands War in South Georgia

Aside from Ernest Shackleton’s famous trek and the island’s whaling past, South Georgia entered the history books again when dragged into the Falklands War in 1982. As well as invading the British-controlled Falkland Islands, Argentina also tried to annex South Georgia, which like the Falklands, was under British rule.

Overcoming the British Marines stationed there, it was one of the first episodes of the Falklands War, immediately succeeding the invasion on the Falklands the day before. The war itself was relatively short when Britain finally recaptured the island later the same year, forcing them to surrender.

Today, visitors can learn more about the brief history of the war in the lovely little museum in Grytviken. It’s also possible to hike to the remains of an Argentine helicopter, a short walk past King Edward Point.

The historic church in Grytviken

Not far from Shackleton’s final resting place, the picturesque white Lutheran church was pre-built in Norway in 1912 and transported to South Georgia in 1913. Managed by the museum team, the church is still used by locals and cruise ship passengers, especially at Christmas, and visitors are welcome to walk around. Shackleton’s funeral service was held here before the coffin was carried to the cemetery nearby for burial. The church is also home to the original whalers’ library and memorials relating to the famous explorer.

Visit the fascinating South Georgia Museum

Located in what was once the home of the whaling station manager, the little Grytviken Museum may not be large. Still, it has many interesting exhibits, ranging from maritime history to the island’s whaling past and perhaps South Georgia’s biggest claim to fame – the legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

One of the remotest museums in the world, next to the museum, is a life-sized replica of the James Caird, the small open boat that Shackleton and his crew sailed from Elephant Island on his epic journey to South Georgia.

Attached is also a small gift shop where you can buy numerous interesting souvenirs, including items of clothing and even bottles of the island’s ‘Shackleton’ whisky!

Mail a postcard from Grytviken’s post office

Send a postcard from one of the most remote places on the planet where you can purchase cards and stamps to send to anywhere in the world!

Run by the few staff that live on the island, the post office services the needs of the museum employees, the island’s British Antarctic Survey staff, and in the summer, it is kept busy with cruise ship passengers.

Although it may take up to a couple of months or more to reach their destination via Stanley in the Falkland Islands, the joy friends and family will get when they receive it will be well worth the wait!