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The museum at the 
end of the world

Visit the South Georgia Museum online where history, nature and adventure converge.

WELCOME TO SOUTH GEORGIA MUSEUM

Journey to the polar front to discover 250 years of history and a wildlife spectacular. Here, you’ll embark on a voyage through time, exploring the rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible wildlife of this magnificent island.

The museum and collections are owned by the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) and managed by South Georgia Heritage Trust.

Stories

Explore virtual exhibits showcasing the island's fascinating past and learn about the future. Immerse yourself in captivating narratives of adventure and resilience, from the discovery of South Georgia and the whaling industry, to the heroic expeditions of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

We Are All Whalers

Meet the whales of South Georgia

250 Years of Discovery: Captain Cook's Antarctic Voyage

Set sail with Cook

Larsen: Visionary of the Southern Seas

Explore Larsen's story

Shackleton’s Last Quest

Head South with Shackleton

Whalers’ Memory Bank

Coming in Summer 2025. Find out more

News & Blogs

Join a Community of Explorers. Connect with fellow adventurers from around the world and follow our Museum Team. Participate in our social media channels to share your thoughts, experiences, and newfound knowledge about South Georgia and its wonders.

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Where is the James Caird?
Where is the James Caird?

It’s a question that leads to an extraordinary story. This small lifeboat, transformed by shipwright Harry McNish, became the vessel that carried Ernest Shackleton and some of his men to find help after Endurance was trapped in the ice.

February Blog: What do you do when there are no ships in?
February Blog: What do you do when there are no ships in?

It has been a busy season in Grytviken. January brought us to 79 ship visits and well past 10,000 visitors for the season. We often get asked what we do when there are no ships visiting. With ship visits starting to wind down in February, we have had time to do some non-ship work so we can give you some answers.

Were there any women who lived in South Georgia during the whaling era?
Were there any women who lived in South Georgia during the whaling era?

While South Georgia’s whaling era was overwhelmingly male-dominated, women weren’t entirely absent. Some of the whaling station managers and senior officials brought their wives to live on South Georgia. These women lived in the relatively better housing available at the stations, but their presence was rare.

Are the buildings all prefabricated?
Are the buildings all prefabricated?

No, not all the buildings at Grytviken were prefabricated. The prefabricated buildings were brought over from Norway at the behest of the station’s founder, Carl Anton Larsen. Everything, from the workers to the materials, had to be transported by ship.

January Museum Blog – Burns Night & Museum Mysteries
January Museum Blog – Burns Night & Museum Mysteries

The opening weeks of 2025 have continued in much the same theme as the busy Christmas and New Year period, with 25 ships visiting during January. This month also marked an important milestone in the season – our 10,000th visitor!

December 2024 Museum Blog – Hellos, goodbyes, and sunrises!
December 2024 Museum Blog – Hellos, goodbyes, and sunrises!

South Georgia never remains the same for long (we know this by looking at a five-day weather forecast). The elements that make up our lives here, who we are surrounded by, and the furry friends we meet, all change with the movement of the seasons.

What was whale oil used for and why?
What was whale oil used for and why?

For centuries, whales have been viewed as valuable commodities, with nearly every part of the animal used. Whale oil was a valuable commodity during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Why is Sir Ernest Shackleton buried in Grytviken and not in Stromness?
Why is Sir Ernest Shackleton buried in Grytviken and not in Stromness?

When Shackleton tragically died of a heart attack aboard Quest in 1922, Leonard Hussey accompanied his body back to Britain while the Quest expedition continued southwards. His body was transported as far as Montevideo when Hussey received a telegram.

Explore the collection

Discover our collection and unusual objects, from the discovery of South Georgia, the whaling industry, to the heroic expeditions of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Discovery & Exploration

Maritime

Natural History

Sealing

Social History

Whaling

More to Discover

A Window to the Wild. Discover the wonders of South Georgia, an unspoiled paradise filled with dramatic landscape and rich wildlife. Learn about the island's unique ecology and the magnificent creatures that inhabit its shores from king penguins to elephant seals.

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Interactive Grytviken

Take a guided tour around the former whaling station.

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Visiting the Museum

Getting to one of the most remote museums in the world.

Thinking of Visiting?

Discover the Museum

Explore the galleries and see what we have on display.

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Support the South Georgia Museum

Help us inspire visitors by connecting them to South Georgia’s rich heritage and preserve it for future generations.

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