South of the Sandwiches - Vol 4 Sneak Peek

Laura Sinclair Willis, CEO of the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the history, topography and unique ecosystem of the South Sandwich islands.

Article by: Laura Sinclair Willis

Artwork by: Emma Dawson

The South Sandwich Islands (SSI) are a remote and somewhat enigmatic group of islands located in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Despite being some 8000 miles from London, the SSI (along with the nearby and slightly more well-known island of South Georgia) are a UK Overseas Territory, in the same way that other places you may be more familiar with, such as the Cayman Islands, are.

The combined Territory: “South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands” boasts a unique ecosystem that has captured the fascination of scientists and adventurers alike for centuries.

The South Sandwich Islands in particular, despite their isolation, play host to some of the most exciting scientific research and conservation efforts that are helping us gain insights into the dynamic processes that shape our world.

Whilst the efforts to protect their natural beauty and unique flora and fauna continue somewhat unnoticed by the wider world, they nevertheless provide a rare glimpse into some of the most pristine and unspoilt landscapes on the planet.

The majority of the island chain is surrounded by sea ice during the austral winter (winter in the Southern Hemisphere), with the strong Antarctic winds and currents typical during the summer months making the journey to visit a technically challenging endeavour. Despite this, a few adventurous individuals still attempt to reach them each year. There are no ports, jetties or airstrips on the islands, meaning they can only be reached by sea.

I have been privileged to view the islands from the air for a few brief minutes as a passenger aboard a Royal Air Force patrol flight. The extreme distances involved meant that we were able to remain in the South Sandwich Islands region for less than an hour, skirting over hundreds of miles of sea ice at low levels, before fuel requirements required us to return to the safety of the Falkland Islands.

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