The North Western Bays

Elsehul.

At the North West end of South Georgia is a major breeding site for some of the island's 3 million fur seal population. During the breeding season (November to March) the animals occupy the shores of Elsehul. They will defend their territory and their offspring aggressively and it is unsafe to land and walk across the beaches. Bites from fur seals require swift medical attention to avoid infection. At this time of the year viewing the crowded beach and seals in the offshore kelp, from a small boat offers excellent close up views, minimal disturbance and a way to keep bottoms and legs intact! On the steep slopes above the harbour entrance thousands of macaroni penguins and hundreds of molly hawks breed. Giant petrels can been seen in the bay and a few King Penguins manage to find space for themselves on the beach.

Salisbury Plain in the Bay of Isles.

Salisbury Plain is a large exposed pebble strewn beach set at the back of a most beautiful bay of isles, the beach is surrounded by high mountains that form a chain that leads to Mount Ashley at the back of the beach. Two glistening white glaciers, the Grace and Lucas glaciers, flow down on either side of the beach. Salisbury Plain is home of some 30,000 King penguins and their chicks. Landing on the beach can be wet, but the potential discomfort is worth it.

Albatross Island and Prion Island.

In the stunning beautiful Bay of the Isles lie the very special islands of Albatross and Prion. About 500 pairs of the threatened yet graceful wandering albatross nest on Albatross and Prion Islands. Southern giant petrels (near-threatened) and northern giant petrels together with burrowing petrels, white chinned petrels, Antarctic prions, common diving petrels and blue petrels all nest on these islands. The crowded beaches are home to breeding elephant and fur seals. Visits to these islands are restricted in order to conserve and protect the declining wandering albatross population.

Possession Bay

Possession Bay is where Captain Cook landed in 1775 and claimed the island for his King, King George the third. His marines were put ashore and with a display of his Majesty's Colours and a discharge of small arms Captain Cook claimed the island for his sovereign. He was not impressed by this island:"a savage and horrible country, not a tree was to be seen, nor a shrub even big enough to make a tooth pick".

Prince Olaf Harbour

Between Possession Bay and Cape Crevice, used to be known as Rat Harbour by both Sealers and Whalers. This name no doubt originated from the Brown Rat that was introduced in the 19th century. Norwegian whalers gave the station its current name after the birth of Prince Olaf of Norway in 1903. The station, largely constructed of wooden- framed buildings, is in an advanced stage of deterioration. The wreck "Brutus" a three-mastered iron hulled sailing vessel lies close to the entrance of the harbour. She was used as a coaling hulk until she was abandoned in 1931.

Fortuna Bay.

Surrounded by steep valley sides, the bay is home to a colony of King Penguins, elephant and fur seals. The Konig Glacier rises to Admiralty Peak (3,100 feet), at the back of the bay. Sir Ernest Shackleton crossed the bay in 1916, after his escape from Elephant Island. He and his two companions, Frank Worsely and Tom Creen, struggled across the island from King Haakon Bay in the west, to reach Stromness whaling station to raise the alarm. They had some difficulty crossing the Konig glacier outflow and Tom Creen had to be pulled out when he broke through the ice, slipping in up to his stomach, as they crossed a small lake above the bay on their way to Stromness.