Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
The Peninsula is the classic way to experience Antarctica. Some of the best wildlife and most dramatic scenery can be found in this part of the Frozen Continent.
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King penguins: key facts
- King penguins are the second largest penguin species, standing around 38 inches (95cm) tall
- The global population of king penguins is a stable 1.1 millions pairs, with between a third and a half resident on South Georgia
- King penguins are found on the Subantarctic islands of the Southern Ocean rather than in Antarctica
- Their unusual breeding cycle means that king penguin chicks can be seen en masse at any time of year
- Expedition cruises to South Georgia offer the best opportunity to see king penguins, with other opportunities at Macquarie Island and the Falkland Islands
When you encounter South Georgia's king penguins up close, you almost have to pinch yourself to be reminded that they're real. They're so overwhelmingly everywhere – it's almost impossible to focus on a single view!
Otto Lock Antarctica Specialist
King penguins on South Georgia
King penguin courtship behaviour
Adult king penguins with a creche of chicks
Endless king penguin chicks at St Andrews Bay on South Georgia
King penguins in the South Georgia landscape
King penguins and jousting elephant seals
Our favourite king penguin trips
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.9 out of 5
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands In Style
Voyage south in Shackleton’s footsteps, exploring the Southern Ocean's highlights as part of this expansive 20-day adventure. A well-balanced itinerary gives plenty of time in each jaw-dropping location. Explore from the comfort of your sleek purpose-built expedition ship, accompanied by…
- 20 Days
- $24,925
4.6 out of 5
South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands Explorer
Looking for an Antarctic adventure without compromising on comfort and service? This stylish 139-passenger ship, with its cavernous suites, fine dining and compelling itinerary, offers a polished Southern Ocean adventure at a fair…
- 21 Days
- $17,815
4.6 out of 5
Discover South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands
This voyage takes in the wildlife-rich wonders of South Georgia and the Falklands, as well as the dramatic landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll travel on board one of the most exciting new polar ships with spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology…
- 19-25 Days
- $20,595
4.3 out of 5
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Revealed
Purpose-built to tackle polar waters, an eco-minded vessel makes the ocean crossing between Antarctica and the wildlife Eden of South Georgia as comfortable as possible. Traverse the breathtaking Antarctic Sound where huge tabular icebergs dwarf the ship and immerse yourself…
- 19 Days
- $17,095
4.6 out of 5
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Adventure
With a good choice of departure dates through the season across three medium-sized ships, this 19-22 day trip stands out for its value for money and the broad range of cabin categories available, including Quads, which are…
- 19-22 Days
- $14,500
An epic 23-day voyage which packs in an astonishing 7 days in Antarctica, 4 days in wildlife-rich South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south. It's very rare to find a trip combining all three places. Limited departure…
- 23 Days
- $31,260
Uniquely focused on extensive exploration of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, without heading further south to Antarctica. Spend 8 full days exploring these bountiful sub-Antarctic Islands, brimming with both wildlife and history. Limited to spring and late summer…
- 17 Days
- $25,170
With 8 full days exploring the wildlife meccas of South Georgia and the Falklands, this trip particularly appeals to wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. Travelling aboard a small custom-designed 100 guest expedition ship ensures extended time ashore each day. Further benefits…
- 17 Days
- $10,995
The most time-efficient trip for combining the top highlights of the Southern Ocean: the dramatic Antarctic Peninsula and the wildlife mecca of South Georgia. Travelling on a comfortable, ice-strengthened expedition ship you'll experience everything from king penguin rookeries to vast…
- 18 Days
- $20,396
A chic Scandi-style vessel with an informal onboard atmosphere is your launchpad for this wildlife-rich expedition covering the dramatic trifecta of the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Smooth domestic travel logistics in Argentina are woven into the inclusive itinerary for…
- 18 Days
- $19,480
A streamlined wildlife-rich itinerary with a luxury focus. Sail straight to jaw-dropping South Georgia before continuing on to pristine Antarctica. Explore in comfort, indulging in exceptional cuisine and one-to-one service. Complimentary kayaking session and a hassle-free journey with return domestic…
- 15 Days
- $14,950
4.2 out of 5
Luxury Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
For a truly 5 star Southern Ocean experience, this is the voyage to consider. Cosseted aboard the most luxurious, all-inclusive expedition ships currently in Antarctica, enjoy outstanding cuisine, impeccable service and daily guided…
- 20 Days
- $19,999
Combine the spellbinding wildlife spectacle of South Georgia with the White Continent's jaw-dropping landscapes on this luxurious time-saving expedition. Cut out two days at sea by flying between Antarctica and South America in just two hours. If you're seeking seamless…
- 17 Days
- $28,700
This is the ideal voyage if you're looking to explore the spectacular wildlife of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia without compromising on time in Antarctica. Off-ship adventures are perfectly balanced with relaxation time on board your comfortably appointed 5*…
- 21 Days
- $33,999
Introducing the king penguin
Natural history
King penguins in an early season sunrise
A densely packed king penguin colony
King penguins are one of the most instantly recognisable species of penguin, standing to attention with near black heads with salmon pink bills and egg yolk orange ear patches, and stylish silver grey backs. In contrast, their chicks are dressed in a thick woolly down, somewhat resembling a kiwi fruit with a beak.
Kings are the second largest penguin species, beaten only by the emperor penguin. At sea, they are astonishingly graceful, but on land they walk with a distinctive waddle, as they congregate in colonies of enormous size.
Unlike emperors, king penguins aren’t creatures of the Antarctic, but rather thrive in the Subantarctic Islands, where the rich waters of the polar convergence provide plenty of food.
South Georgia is the world’s great centre for king penguins, who congregate here in colonies that can contain more than a quarter of a million birds.
The global population of king penguins is considered to be in good health, though like all species that depend on polar waters, climate change poses a long term threat to their numbers.
Life cycle of the king penguin
The king penguin has an unusual breeding cycle that plays to the advantage of wildlife watchers: whatever time of year you visit a colony, you're guaranteed to see chicks. King penguin chicks take over a year to mature, so adults breed every three years, laying a single egg at either the start or end of the austral summer.
This staggered cycle means that creches of chicks (often dubbed ‘oakum boys due to their fluffy brown down) are always seen at colonies. The chicks’ hungry whistles to their parents, is a constant sound, answered by the trumpeting of the adults.
King penguins don't make nests: both sexes take shifts to incubate their egg by carrying on their feet tucked into a cosy brood pouch.
Late season king penguin chicks on South Georgia
Swoop says
King penguins are the deep divers of the penguin world, zooming down to below 240m (nearly 800 feet) in pursuit of squid and lantern fish, their favourite food items.
Where can I see king penguins?
South Georgia
South Georgia is home to between a third and half the world's king penguins, who crowd the beaches here in raucous abundance. Their vast colonies are a major reason why people book expedition cruises to the island.
The most celebrated king penguin colonies on South Georgia are St Andrews Bay (home to over 150,000 pairs), Gold Harbour, Salisbury Plain and Fortuna Bay. Landings here are truly an assault on the senses with an air thick with noisy and the fishy stink of guano, and an endless parade of penguins coming and going past elephant seals and fur seals.
King penguins on the beach in South Georgia
The Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands mark the northernmost limit of the king penguin’s global range. Their numbers here are relatively small, so are generally seen as a taster for the enormous colonies on South Georgia.
The only breeding colony of king penguins is at Volunteer Point on East Falkland, with around 1500 pairs.
A more popular landing site for expedition cruise ships is Saunders Island. Seeing king penguins here is a treat as it’s the only place where all four of the Falklands' penguin species occur: not just kings, but rockhopper, gentoo and Magellanic penguins as well.
King penguins at Saunders Island in the Falklands
Macquarie Island
The Australian Subantarctic territory of Macquarie Island is home to an estimated 170,000 breeding pairs of king penguins, or around 10% of the global population. It's visited by expedition cruise ships exploring the Subantarctics or going to the Ross Sea in Antarctica.
The king penguin colony where landings can be made is at Sandy Bay, where large numbers of kings are interspersed with endemic royal penguins.
The enormous colony at Lusitania Bay, home to more than half of Macquarie’s kings is sometimes visited on a ship cruise.
King penguins on Macquarie Island
Swoop says
If you see king penguins covered with an unruly mass of feather, take extra care not to disturb them: they're going through their annual catastrophic moult. Temporarily stripped of their waterproof feathers, they stand perfectly still for several weeks, unable to go to sea to feed.
Responsible wildlife watching with king penguins
Strict guidelines are in place that all visitors must follow during a landing or zodiac cruise to avoid disturbing polar wildlife.
King penguins have no natural fear of humans, allowing observation at close quarters. A minimum distance of 5 metres (15 feet) must always be maintained, or 10 metres (30 feet) from the edge of a colony; if a penguin approaches you out of curiosity, you should quietly and safely retreat. Wildlife always has the right of way.
Strict biosecurity rules are in place to avoid the accidental transmission of pathogens. Only your boots must touch the ground – you mustn’t sit or place any other items on the ground, and must clean your boots with disinfectant before and after all landings.
Watching king penguins on South Georgia
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South Georgia Wildlife
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Discover MoreSwoop. Your adventure story.
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