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South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is located in the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean and is part of the Falkland Islands Administrative Region. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are part of the Scotia Ridge that connects the high mountains of the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula. South Georgia is made up of 8 islands and three rock formations that emerge from the sea. The South Sandwich Islands consist of 13 islands, some of which can be divided into groups. The archipelago belonging to South Georgia was the cause of the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina in 1982. In this war, which was more like a political joust, a total of almost 1000 people were killed and a number of ships were sunk. . Today the islands are virtually uninhabited, only a few researchers still live there, but not even these permanently. In Grytviken there is a small hamlet with a church and a small harbor and on the bird island is another research base.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have a tundra climate, which is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean due to its location. On the north side of the islands, the climate is the mildest, because the southerly winds from the South Pole have the least influence on this part. You can also be brief about the climate here: it is always cold, with temperatures that are almost always around freezing point and then you have to assume that the south side of the island is a lot colder. The precipitation that falls here will almost always come down as snow.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Best time to visit South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The chances of meeting someone who has vacationed in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands at a birthday party are slim. This special destination is one of the most remote places in the world. That is because there are no international airports and you have to travel to these islands via the ocean, it takes quite a while. It is not only a long journey to get there, it is above all a costly expedition. Its location above the Antarctic Circle makes South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands a cold destination. The seasons are opposite to those of Europe. That’s because of its location in the Southern Hemisphere, where summers fall during our winters and winters fall mid-calendar year. The climate on the islands can best be described as a tundra climate with a polar climate at the higher altitudes.

Best months

The best time to travel to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is from December to March. This is during the local summer. Temperatures are on average well above freezing during the day and around freezing at night. Inland it can be a lot cooler, especially at higher altitudes. If you want to travel to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands at other times of the year, you will have to deal with lower temperatures, much shorter days and therefore less sunshine. Maximum temperatures on the coasts are around zero degrees, while it can freeze considerably inland. In winter, all precipitation falls in the form of snow, while in summer it can also rain. On an annual basis, there is an average of 1200 to 1500 millimeters of precipitation.