King George Island
King George Island
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
55 reviews
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46
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6
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3
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Worldwide Travel
Bangkok, Thailand4,671 contributions
Dec 2022
We flew from Punta Arenas to King George Island with Antartic Airways for a day trip. What a memorable day! There was mandatory briefing required before going, then 2h40 min flight to King George Island where we took a Zodiac boat to visit a glacier, and another stop to see penguins, and later the Russian church, the southern most in the world. Such a truly unique experience and we were lucky to have fantastic weather so it was bearable but I can imagine in different circumstances it would be difficult. This trip was not recommended with a young baby but our daughter is well travelled and had been to Iceland earlier this year so in the end they accepted our reservation. It was definitely a challenge but it turned out to be one of our most memorable trips ever. DAP airlines mentioned that our daughter was probably the youngest to fly to Antartica because there are very few flights from other countries because most are from Chile (New Zealand, South Africa are two others). More than 99.5% of tourists to Antartica go via cruise, not flight, but with a baby we thought a cruise was unworkable so we chose to fly. For regular people, I would say the flight would be best suited for busy executives who do not have much time available for a 2-week cruise. The scenery in Antartica was not as impressive as what we saw in Iceland and Greenland for picture taking, but the remoteness of Antartica means this trip tops them all. Not a cheap expedition but it was worth every penny for us.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Juan Oehninger
Santiago, Chile151 contributions
Dec 2021
After crossing the drake passage and arrival to king George chilean naval base , I can say lots anchor’s ships and yachts from all over the world , nothing to pint out that deserves disembarking toes some army base and a airfield thats always may be open to fly in or out , I was on the endeavoir and preferd the ship after all the expenses involve getting to Antartica
Written 6 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL19,499 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
We were so excited to finally set foot on the Elusive 7th Continent! King George is home yo thousands of penguins, and we truly enjoyed our time there. We also had the chance to fly out of Frei Station after our 5 day cruise.
Written 22 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Derek H
Edgewood, KY179 contributions
Dec 2019
We flew over for the Day from Punta Arenas with DAP. Amazing trip without the potential sea sickness from the crossing.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brandylady
Aberdeen, UK1,188 contributions
Dec 2019
This was our first experience of Antarctica, first stop on a 3 week expedition cruise . It was snowing lightly but no lying snow and not as cold as I had expected . Lots of whale remains on the shores and our first glimpses of penguins! ...... a taster for what was to follow!
Written 25 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steveh3Texas
Southlake, TX724 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Our Quark Fly the Drake trip began here. We flew here from Chile. Then, walked 1.2 miles to meet our zodiac that took us to the ship. Penguins greeted us in the Bay.
Written 25 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ERVINR
Cedar Rapids, IA68 contributions
Dec 2019
Like most of us, visited King George Island out of curiosity and to say we were to Antarctica. Interesting chipped rock runway, was a new one for me. Only were able to be there for one day, but got a good flavor of the area. Saw nice colony of Penguins and a Glacier up close and personal.
Written 18 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
michaelrp2018
Monaco-Ville, Monaco297 contributions
Dec 2018
Be prepared for a surprise - arriving at King George Island, and the Russian science station, it is not what you are expecting - more post Chernobyl melt down, environmental waste land of rusting trucks, dismantled huts. Escape quickly and then around the next bay the anticipated antarctic wilderness
Written 2 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
veritosito
Santiago, Chile20 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Not what you might expect out of an Antartica trip, actually no ice at all, but an interesting peak to what living at the end of the world is. To go deeper to glaciers you should definitely take a cruise down south.
Written 23 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scott W
Texas139 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
I recently traveled to King George Island with my family on one of DAP's overnight tours. As part of a 3-hour hike, we visited Elefantera Beach, where we were able to see dozens of elephant seals. We also visited nearby Ardley Island, where there's a penguin rookery (there were Adelies, Chinstraps, and Gentoos, but no King or Emperor penguins). However, the highlight of the trip was a trip on a zodiac boat to see Collins Glacier, which was breathtaking. The island is home to about a dozen research bases, as well as the small Chilean "town" of Villa Las Estrellas (which has a post office and about 35 citizens), but it is still possible to get away from human activity and experience undisturbed wildlife pretty easily.
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
brooke
Davie, FL27 contributions
Hi Guys,
I am trying to touch down on Antartica as a tribute to a fallen soldier who was never able. I get unfortunately sea sick, and the fly to cruise excursions are a little out of my price range at 11-12k
I see good reviews on the single day DAP airlines flights. Try not to laugh, I know it’s an Island, but does Going to King George Island count as visiting the final continent?
I’ve been given some advise as to go to Chile and book last minute openings on fly to cruise itineraries, as it could save thousands, but I’m traveling with my mom as well and I’d hate to get her all the way down there, and something not be available. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Regine H
Paris, France345 contributions
Hi, Well you'll see penguins. You won't be able to walk around wherever you like, but you can visit the Russian Orthodox Church and the island is beautiful in an ominous kind of way. That is, if the weather allows the DAP plane to take off. We had to wait 48 hours for ours to do so. And we were not sure when we'd be able to fly back to Punta Arenas; For a plane to land on and take off from the island, one has to have severable favorable conditions, low wind, no low cloud cover, and no fog. So plan on spending several days in Punta Arenas just in case.
Gina C
Saskatchewan, Canada214 contributions
What cruise line or transportation did you use from King George Island to Antarctia? From my understanding ,that which for this area is very limited, King George Island is 120 km(70 miles) from Antarctica and I was hoping to actually go to Antarctica itself if possible. Thank you for any assistance.
veritosito
Santiago, Chile20 contributions
Actually, King George Island is located at the northern top of Antartica, You can get there flying from Punta Arenas on DAP airlines. If you want to go further south, the only way t o get there is on a cruise ship.
Suzanne C
St. Petersburg, FL27 contributions
Hi Mark. Thank you for the review of your day trip to King George Island. I'm planning a hiking trip that ends in Punta Arenas and am hoping to add a quick trip over to King George Island. Do you remember the name of the tour company you used? Any other tips you would offer?
veritosito
Santiago, Chile20 contributions
DAP airlines flies frecuently from Punta Arenas to King Goerge Island durin summer time. Should book full day or overnight tour with them though.
Scott W
Texas139 contributions
I recently saw your review of King George Island and have a couple of questions. 1. Approximately how much walking (in terms of miles) did you do during your day there? My wife and I have no trouble walking/hiking long distances, but we'll be traveling with our 6-year old daughter and would like to know what to expect. 2. Other than the typical things (clothing, sun glasses, etc.), is there anything that you'd recommend bringing on the visit?
Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.
Scott
Girlfriend1
Phoenix, AZ14 contributions
How long does it take between King George Island and Ushuaia by ship?
Laura M
Washington DC, DC64 contributions
We flew, so I am not sure.
Evans P
Chambersburg, PA67 contributions
Does anyone know if the Lindblad Antarctic cruises ever have landings on King George Island?
Thanks
Pierceal1
Boston, MA8 contributions
I am planning on going to Antarctic via Marathon Tours. I am not running the marathon but my cousin is.
What can I expect while she is running? Am I allowed to go to the island then return when she comes in???
Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance...
TINA L
Janesville, WI33 contributions
Yes you will be included as part of the crew if you want. People who didn't run could be on the course to offer encouragement on the route or help at the finish line. I don't know what these other people are talking about. We flew into Ushauia and got on the boat there. Nobody spends the night on the island - you are ferried to the island on zodiacs.
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