South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands · GS

Hercules Bay

Hercules Bay is a dramatic natural amphitheater on the north coast of South Georgia, where sheer cliffs of folded sedimentary rock plunge into the Southern Ocean beneath thousands of nesting seabirds and penguins. Named by Norwegian whalers after the whale catcher Herkules, this narrow cove west of Cape Saunders is one of the most visually stunning landing sites on any South Georgia expedition. Visitors reach Hercules Bay exclusively by expedition cruise, typically approaching by Zodiac to peer up at the contorted rock strata and the vast Macaroni penguin colony that clings to the ledges above the surf. King penguins, gentoos, elephant seals, and fur seals populate the gravel beach and slopes, while a tall waterfall vanishes into the shingle behind them.