About King Hakone Bay, South Georgia Island (2025 Guide)

Your guide to King Hakone Bay, South Georgia, known as the landing site of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary rescue expedition.

Tucked away on the wild southwest coast of South Georgia, King Haakon Bay is not often included on standard travel itineraries, which is what makes this place so special.

With sheer cliffs and glaciers flowing straight into the Southern Ocean, this stunning fjord is a sight to behold!

But what really puts King Haakon Bay South Georgia Island on the map is its connection to one of the greatest survival stories of all time.

King Haakon Bay is where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew landed in 1916 after an 800-mile open boat journey from Elephant Island, in their desperate attempt at rescue during their ill-fated Endurance voyage.

While you are here, you can almost feel the courage and determination that drove Shackleton’s team forward.

Nowadays, visitors come to enjoy the bay’s raw beauty up close while tracing the footsteps of history in one of the most remote corners of the world.

Read next: Best time to visit South Georgia Island

Where is King Haakon Bay located?

King Haakon Bay is a long, majestic fjord carved into the rugged southern coast of South Georgia.

It is surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers that plunge directly into the sea.

King Haakon Bay, also known as King Haakon Fjord, exudes an untamed beauty that embodies the true spirit of South Georgia Island.

Unlike the more popular wildlife sites in South Georgia, King Hakone Bay is quieter and more remote, and its isolation creates an unspoiled, wild character that stands in stark contrast to areas near the island’s old whaling stations.

History of King Haakon’s Bay

The fjord was named after Haakon VII, then King of Norwayby early explorers of the area.

What makes King Haakon Bay famous is its role in history. In May 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton and five of his crew arrived here after their harrowing 800-mile journey on the small lifeboat James Caird from Elephant Island.

Exhausted but determined, Shackleton’s group first landed at Cave Cove in King Haakon Bay.

From there, they journeyed across the island, passing through the treacherous Moray Snowfield and skirting the Fortuna Glacier, before finally arriving at the Stromness whaling station to request rescue for the remainder of their stranded crew.

Visiting the Gulf today, it is easy to imagine the enormous relief the team felt in setting foot on the ground after spending weeks at sea.

Read our guide to Shackleton’s Walk, South Georgia!

Visit King Haakon Bay, South Georgia

If you’re dying to get into the bay where Shackleton’s legendary rescue journey began, here’s your guide to King Haakon Bay.

How to get there

Getting to King Hakone Bay, South Georgia Island, is an adventure in itself. Visitors arrive by expedition ship, often after exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and then making the long crossing of the Scotia Sea to reach South Georgia.

The bay is located on the remote southern coast of the island, and landing here depends heavily on weather and sea conditions, which can be highly unpredictable, with heavy waves often making approaches difficult.

For those interested in following in Shackleton’s footsteps, specialist operators sometimes organize guided trips through South Georgia.

With the help of experienced climbing guides, you can experience sections of the legendary Shackleton Route from King Haakon’s Bay to Stromness, through mountainous terrain, snowfields and glaciers, vividly described in Ernest Shackleton’s book.

Important note! Before you book any international flight, we sincerely recommend that you obtain travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can pile up quickly if you get sick or injured abroad.

Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit King Hakone Bay is during the Antarctic summer, from November to March, when the seas are calmest and you have the best chance of good weather for landing.

However, it should be noted that conditions can change quickly, and the bay’s remote location means that getting down to the beach is always dependent on the elements.

During the Antarctic summer, beaches become vital gathering places for wildlife.

Elephant seals spread across the sand, often sharing space with fur seals and a variety of seabirds.

History buffs will appreciate being able to stand at Cave Cove or near Cape Rosa, imagining Shackleton’s exhausted crew landing here in the James Caird lifeboat after their perilous journey across the Southern Ocean.

Summer is also the best time to try trekking in King Haakon Bay.

This period offers the safest conditions, with calmer seas, less ice on shore, and more daylight hours to navigate South Georgia’s rocky landscape.

Some operators can arrange for adventurous travelers to take a trip along parts of the legendary Shackleton Trail through South Georgia, where you can follow in its footsteps through snowfields and mountain passes.

What to expect during your visit

Expedition ships typically anchor near Cave Cove, the narrow inlet where Shackleton’s team first came ashore in 1916 after their epic voyage in the James Caird lifeboat. At this historic spot, the crew lived for a time under James Caird’s overturned boat before beginning their overland journey.

Not far from Cave Cove lies Peggotty Bluff, a rocky headland with a fascinating story attached to it Shackleton’s Endurance Journey. After landing in May 1916, the crew set up camp there for better shelter as they prepared for their arduous journey across South Georgia.

Wildlife is another highlight to look forward to during your visit. The beaches are often full of elephant seals and fur seals.

Bird lovers may be lucky enough to spot the southern Georgia piper, the world’s most southerly songbird, which was once nearly wiped out by invasive rats, but is now thriving again thanks to an eradication effort led by the British Antarctic Survey.

Is King Haakon Bay worth a visit?

If you are a true adventurer and a die-hard fan of Sir Ernest Shackleton, a visit to King Hakone Bay should be at the top of your travel list. Fortunately, there are now many tour companies that specialize in excursions to remote islands in the South Atlantic.

While you’re there, you might also consider visiting other places nearby, such as the wildlife-rich Salisbury Plain, the rugged peaks of the Drygalski Gorge, or even the historic town of Grytviken, South Georgia.

Stunning scenery, historic landmarks like Cave Cove, Cape Rosa, and Peggotty Bluff, and abundant wildlife, from elephant seals to playful penguins, make a trip to King Haakon Bay a worthwhile adventure.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can also take on a trekking adventure, retracing the steps of Shackleton’s legendary journey across the dramatic terrain of South Georgia.

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