The archipelago consists of 11 major islands and numerous smaller ones. They are mainly mountainous and more than 80% glaciated. The islands are of volcanic origin. Although the islands might have been sighted before, the first recorded sighting is that of William Smith, a British sailor whose ship was blown off course while rounding Cape Horn in 1819. Soon after, seal hunters frequented the islands in search of Fur Seals.
Cruises to the South Shetland Islands
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
Classic Antarctica including Deception Island
PLA28-25 This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
3 Feb - 13 Feb, 2025
Berths start from:
6050 USD
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
Classic Antarctica including Deception Island
PLA26-25 This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
6 Jan - 16 Jan, 2025
Berths start from:
10700 USD
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
Classic Antarctica including Deception Island
HDS27-25 This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
22 Jan - 1 Feb, 2025
Berths start from:
10700 USD
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
Classic Antarctica including Deception Island
OTL29-25 This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
1 Feb - 11 Feb, 2025
Berths start from:
10700 USD
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle
Meet at least six penguin species
HDS29-25 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
20 Feb - 14 Mar, 2025
Berths start from:
16700 USD
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I was on the recent Antarctic trip on Ortelius, 16 Feb - 7 March. This has been my third expedition with Oceanwide, and I continue to be very impressed by the experiences.
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South Shetland Islands cruise reviews
South Shetland Islands FAQ
What is the time in the South Shetland Islands?
Time differences can be confusing, especially when considering remote regions of the world with few if any, permanent residents or human presence. The South Shetland Islands are no exception. The standard followed time on the South Shetland Islands is Chilean Standard Time (GMT - 3). This means that 12pm on the South Shetland Islands is 3pm in London, or 7am in New York City.
It should be noted that in several of the research stations located in the South Shetland Islands, different times may be observed for operational reasons. During your expedition cruise with us, you will follow the ship's time, regardless of your location. In Antarctica, this is Argentinean time (GMT - 3).
What is the Temperature and Weather Like in the South Shetland Islands?
The climate in this area is typically very cool and corresponds well with the rest of the northern Antarctic Peninsula.The average summer temperature only reaches 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit), and the typical winter temperature hovers around -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit).
Even in the summertime, the South Shetland Islands retain an ice and snow coverage of 80 percent. It is humid and often cloudy, and the sunniest days are typically accompanied by colder temperatures. Due to this, anyone who is taking a expedition cruise to the South Shetland Islands needs to bring the proper type of clothing with them.
What Wildlife Can I See in the South Shetland Islands?
A visit to the South Shetland Islands will reveal a surprising amount of life for such a harsh environment. South Shetlands wildlife such as, seals, penguins and seabirds utilize the surrounding water as a feeding spot, and they can often be spotted from the cruise ship. On land, there are many examples of vegetation, including algae, lichens and mosses. This helps highlight the fact that life can find a way in even the most inhospitable places.
How Many People Live in the South Shetland Islands?
The number of people living in the South Shetland Islands is extremely hard to say. Research stations may only have a skeleton crew - if any at all - during the winter. During the summer months it's booming with scientists and support crew.
Who Owns the South Shetland Islands?
The South Shetland Islands are not under the control of any nation. Instead, the Antarctic Treaty enables all signatories to utilize the region for any non-military related purposes. This has led to 13 countries establishing research stations and field camps. Before the Antarctic Treaty was signed, the islands were claimed by the U.K., Argentina and Chile.
What Unique Features Does the South Shetland Islands Have?
The South Shetland Islands are volcanic, primarily mountainous and approximately 80 percent glaciated. A voyage to the South Shetland Islands will often provide visitors with the opportunity to see penguins and seals. Deception Island is always a highlight, and it is uninhabited aside from Spanish and Argentinean research bases. The glaciers and steep peak on the eastern side of the island provide a challenging environment for hiking. Kayaking is also an exciting way to explore Port Foster - the flooded caldera of Deception island.
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South Shetland Islands Weather
Be prepared for some chilly weather on your South Shetland Islands cruise. The summer months’ average temperature only ever gets up to around 1 or 2°C, and that’s without factoring in the wind which can carry away your body heat.
Facts about the South Shetland Islands
- If the Antarctic region has any sort of bustling cosmopolitan centre, it’s the South Shetland Islands. There are 10 bases on the Islands populated the year round and another 8 that see activity in the summer months.
- The South Shetland Islands are made up of many tiny islands and rocks and 11 main islands – Clarence, Deception, Elephant, Greenwich, King George, Livingston, Low, Nelson, Robert, Smith, and Snow.
- Deception Island is considered an active and ongoing “significant volcanic risk.”
- Only about 3% of the Islands are ice-free, along the coasts. That’s where your South Shetland Islands holiday will find all of the Islands’ life – including the humans.
- Famous explorer Shackleton and his crew survived more than four harsh months on Elephant Island.
- 12 different countries have bases on King George Island – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Germany, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Uruguay, and the U.S.
- The Islands were initially discovered on February 19, 1819 when the British ship Williams was blown of course while trying to make its way around Cape Horn.
Travel to the South Shetland Islands
A cruise including South Shetland Islands takes you to the gateway of the Antarctic. The South Shetland Islands, just a half a day’s cruise away from the Antarctic Peninsula, is home to stunning scenery and astounding amounts of wildlife.
Get ready to bird watch as the islands are the home breeding grounds of terns, skuas, shags, gulls, and thousands of penguins of different kinds.
Your South Shetland Islands trip gives you the chance to explore the Islands through a wide range of activities including snowshoeing & hiking, kayaking and diving.
