Where to see King Penguins in the wild

By Stewart_Campbell / 03 June 2016

Where to see King Penguins in the wild

Penguin watching is immense fun! Found only in the southern hemisphere, penguins are flightless birds that are full of character – and colourful too, especially for species such as the King penguin.

Penguin watching is immense fun! Found only in the southern hemisphere, penguins are flightless birds that are full of character – and colourful too, especially for species such as the King penguin. Kings are the second largest of the 17 species of penguins – and many consider them the most beautiful! They have a striking orange yellow patch on their beaks and both sides of the head, stretching down to their chests. Sleek and with a silvery grey back, Kings are the epitomy of elegance and truly befit their regal name. Along with Emperor Penguins, King Penguins are the ones most commonly portrayed by the media, often appearing in movies.

King penguins are sometimes confused with their larger cousin the Emperor, but they live in very different locations. Emperors are found to the far South and breed on the frigid fast ice surrounding the Antarctic continent, whereas Kings are found further north, exclusively in the sub-Antarctic islands – and they actually hate ice!

kings-south_georgia_jan_veen-OWE.jpg

They are big! King penguins stand about 90 cm high, weighing in over 13 kg. Their chicks can grow even heavier than the parents with a downy brown plumage. Early explorers thought that king chicks were actually a separate species - the ‘woolly’ penguin! One quite unusual thing about King penguins is their unique breeding cycle, raising chicks twice in a three-year period, with the young taking a year to fledge. This means that king colonies are active year-round and no matter when you visit, there are checks present, young and old.

There are lots of them! King penguins can be found in very large colonies on sub-Antarctic islands such as Crozet, Prince Edward, Kerguelen, South Georgia and Macquarie Island. The total breeding population is estimated to be over 1,000,000 pairs.  Some colonies number in the hundreds of thousands. All of them completely unafraid of people. A wildlife holiday where King Penguins live will literally make you feel like you are on the set of your very own wildlife documentary!

To see Kings in the wild you need to hop on a cruise that includes some sub-Antarctic islands (on the regular Antarctic Peninsula cruises you will not encounter king penguins). Normally the best choice is a Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica itinerary – alternatively a Ross Sea voyage with Macquarie Island. Such a penguin-watching holiday offers the bonus of taking you to some of the most spectacular places in the Southern Ocean – places that feature breathtaking scenery, mountains and glaciers and which are redolent with explorer history.

When to go? It is the early period of summer, the onset of the breeding season, that is absolutely brilliant to visit South Georgia and when you can see overwhelming numbers of King penguins as well as other sub-Antarctic wildlife species.  South Georgia is also known as the ‘Serengeti of the South’. One of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, South Georgia should be on the ‘must list’ of every expedition traveller.  

king_penguins.jpg

Watching King Penguins is one of the most beautiful wildlife encounters you can imagine. And along the way, you’ll get to experience some truly remote and beautiful parts of the world. For more information on expedition cruises to some of the most wonderful travel destinations on the planet, contact us at Expeditions Online.

Here are just a few suggestions for some great cruise expeditions where you can see beautiful king penguins: 

 

Black Friday Sale

Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands

On this extraordinary 19-day voyage, follow in the wake of Shackleton to Antarctica before heading via Antarctic Sound to South Georgia and Falklands

WAS13590.00
NOW 6795.00
Find Out More

On Sale

South Georgia & Antarctica Penguin Safari

A 16 day expedition with World Explorer to the jewels of the Antarctic: South Georgia and the Peninsula

WAS23995.00
NOW 19196.00
Find Out More

Antarctica's Ross Sea: Heritage Adventurer

Explore Antarctica's seldom-seen and spectacular Ross Sea, with its mountains, ice-shelves, abundant wildlife and fascinating history

FROM 29450.00
Find Out More

Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica - Plancius

An epic expedition cruise onboard the MV Plancius exploring the highlights of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands

FROM 13350.00
Find Out More

Falklands, South Georgia, Peninsula: Ortelius

A 20 day expedition cruise to the the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula on the ice-class expedition ship M/V Ortelius

FROM 13550.00
Find Out More

Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctic Circle

Ann epic 23 day expedition cruise onboard the Polar-6 class MV Hondius exploring the Antarctic Circle and sub-Antarctic islands

FROM 15700.00
Find Out More

Falklands and South Georgia: Magellan Explorer

This expedition on Magellan Explorer takes you to pearls of the South Atlantic: the wildlife extravaganza of South Georgia, and the Falklands

FROM 9995.00
Find Out More

Remote Weddell Sea Explorer: Ortelius

A rare and incredible expedition to South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands - Neuschwabenland, Vahsel Bay, Larsen Ice Shelf, Paulet & Devil, Elephant Is

FROM 24700.00
Find Out More

Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica

An epic adventure to the the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica on the brand-new expedition ship M/V Hondius

FROM 14600.00
Find Out More

Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific: NZ Subanta

An 8 day expedition to remote Campbell Island, Auckland Islands & the Snares Islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with unique birdlife and mammals

FROM 5475.00
Find Out More

Save up to 15%*

South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey

Three amazing weeks exploring the wildlife extravaganza that is South Georgia and Antarctica with a state-of-the-art new expedition ship

FROM 25795.00
Find Out More

Antarctica Complete: Greg Mortimer

If you only have one chance to visit Antarctica, this is for you! This epic peak-season voyage experiences the best of Antarctica where few have been

FROM 28295.00
Find Out More

Related Blogs...

New 'Under the Ice' Map of Antarctica

South Shetland Islands

Whales You Might See During Your Antarctica Cruise

What To Pack When Visiting Polar Regions

Volume of ice in Antarctica measured

Ushuaia - The Gateway of Antarctica

Expeditions Online Newsletter

Sign up to be an Expeditions Online insider and receive info on exclusive deals, discounts and more!