Gough Island Seabird Capital Of The South Atlantic - Nexta Expeditions
Gough Island: Seabird Capital of the South Atlantic

Gough Island: Seabird Capital of the South Atlantic

Gough Island is a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, uninhabited except for a small party of meteorologists and (sometimes) biologists.

Set in the midst of the Roaring Forties, a Southern Hemisphere area of strong western winds between 40 and 50 degrees latitude, Gough Island is often buffeted by strong westerly gusts as well as powerful sea swells.

Only a few vessels visit Gough Island each year due to its remoteness and severe weather.

blog-image

The first eye-popping glimpse of Gough Island

Like many South Atlantic islands, Gough Island is volcanic and visually mind blowing. Steep cliffs several hundred meters high frame the island, telling of towering mountains and deep-carved valleys that create dramatic natural scenery.

The island receives a great deal of rain, and after a fresh fall you can often see peat-stained waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.

blog-image

The Gough Island seabird paradise

Though Gough Island is not well known even among many seasoned travelers, it is most famous for its wealth of breeding seabirds.

Situated near the Subtropical Convergence Zone, where temperate waters mix with subtropical waters, Gough Island is highly attractive to both warm- and cold-water seabirds.

In fact, nowhere else in the world do Antarctic terns and tropical brown noddies nest side by side than on Gough Island. Despite this feature, however, it is the incredible array of tubenose seabirds that truly sets Gough Island apart.

blog-image

The tubenose seabird feeding grounds of Gough Island

The seas surrounding Gough Island are some of the richest seabird feeding grounds anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

Some cruises have counted over 20 tubenose species around Gough Island, including birds from South Georgia (black-browed albatrosses, Cape petrels, Antarctic prions), New Zealand (shy albatrosses), and the Indian Ocean (white-headed petrels).

Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha also hold the world’s only breeding colonies of Tristan albatrosses, Indian yellow-nosed albatrosses, Atlantic petrels, and spectacled petrels.

Seeing such birds in such numbers is enough to get any birder’s heart pumping.

blog-image

Further Gough Island seabirds

Other tubenose seabirds on Gough Island include sooty albatrosses, great-winged petrels, Kerguelen petrels, soft-plumaged petrels, grey petrels, great shearwaters, sub-Antarctic little shearwaters, broad-billed prions, and white-bellied storm petrels.

Though this is not meant to be a complete list of Gough Island seabirds, it does cover the more commonly seen varieties.

blog-image

Gough Island feeding frenzies

Landings on Gough Island are not permitted due to conservation reasons, but you may still see some action even at a distance.

Circumnavigations of Gough Island have revealed, for example, large pods of dusky dolphins accompanied by a feeding frenzy of hundreds of seabirds. We cannot promise you this on your own Gough Island trip, of course, but the possibilities are always there.

blog-image

The rare rockhopper penguins of Gough Island

On the east side of Gough Island lies Quest Bay, which is known for its rookery of northern rockhopper penguins.

Northern rockhoppers have longer yellow crests than their southern cousins, and they can only be found on a handful of remote and rarely visited islands in the South Atlantic and South Indian Ocean. Gough Island fits the bill, so to speak.

Not only do northern rockhopper penguins sport the best hairstyles, they are also among the most seldom-seen penguin species in the world.

blog-image

Gough Island’s equally rare fount of fur seals

You might also encounter sub-Antarctic fur seals on the shores of Gough Island.

Males have a striking color pattern, with a lovely blond face and chest against a black body. These seals share a similar range with northern rockhoppers and are also rarely encountered, further evidence of how unique Gough Island wildlife is.

blog-image

Endemic Gough Island birds: Gough moorhens & Gough buntings

Gough Island houses two endemic land birds, distinct species evolved from South American ancestors and found nowhere else in the world: the Gough moorhen and Gough bunting.

The Gough bunting is particularly unique, being the only member of the genus Rowettia.

blog-image

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gough and Inaccessible Islands

Because of its wildly diverse flora, fauna, and unusually undisturbed ecosystem, Gough Island (along with the relatively close Inaccessible Island) is a protected wildlife reserve and World Heritage Site under UNESCO.

Not surprisingly, then, Gough Island is also one of the most beautiful and fascinating locations for birders and nature lovers alike.

blog-image

Best Deals

Related Trips

% Save up to $ 6.200
Atlantic Odyssey - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Atlantic Odyssey

calendar23 Mar 2025 - 15 Apr 2025
clock24 Days / 23 Nights
From $ 5.100 per person
Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula

calendar01 Apr 2026 - 24 Apr 2026
clock24 Days / 23 Nights
From $ 9.050 per person
Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula

calendar04 Apr 2027 - 27 Apr 2027
clock24 Days / 23 Nights
From $ 9.400 per person

Blog
go-leftgo-right

“The polar bear will still be there” - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

“The polar bear will still be there”

For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
Under the Greenland Ice Sheet - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Under the Greenland Ice Sheet

Anyone who ventures to the right part of the globe can encounter vast amounts of ice, but a Greenland cruise offers something truly unique: ice sculptures hidden beneath the northern ice sheet. Scientists once thought these sculptures were rocky hills buried in ice, similar to the Ghost Mountains in Antarctica. However, it turns out that Mother Nature has crafted one of the most exclusive art exhibits in the world. These sculptures are not visible from the surface, but some scientists have managed to get a sneak peek using radar equipment.
Northeast Greenland National Park - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Northeast Greenland National Park

Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park and the ninth largest protected area on Earth. It should come as little surprise, then, that it’s also bigger than most countries, covering an impressive 972,000 square km (375,300 square miles).
The ozone layer in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The ozone layer in Antarctica

An ozone molecule is composed of three oxygen atoms rather than the usual two. It exists in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Ozone molecules are created through the interaction of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun with oxygen molecules: When an O2 molecule is split, the two free oxygen atoms bond with other O2 molecules to form O3 molecules.
The Giant Petrels of King George Island - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Giant Petrels of King George Island

Antarctica is undeniably one of the world’s premier birding destinations.
Greenland: East vs. West - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Greenland: East vs. West

East and West Greenland offer vastly different experiences due to their unique climates, wildlife, habitation, and geology.
A Diving Dream Fulfilled - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

A Diving Dream Fulfilled

Last January, Mark Hatter achieved a dream he’d been training for over two years. Booking his berth aboard the m/v Ortelius and making the long flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, he and two of his friends sailed down the famous Drake Passage, bound for Earth’s southernmost continent. But their Antarctica trip was not just about shoreline walks and photographing penguins.
8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic

The Arctic’s frozen landscape not only contains scenic gems, it also prompts fascinating advances in research. Here are some of the eight best.
Five of History’s Greatest Polar Explorers - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Five of History’s Greatest Polar Explorers

Today's visitors to the polar regions follow in the footsteps of some of the most famous explorers in history. Here is a list of five great explorers who braved the harsh lands of the Arctic and Antarctica.
The Secret Life of Glaciers: How They Form, Move, and Melt - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Secret Life of Glaciers: How They Form, Move, and Melt

One of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders you can witness on an Arctic or Antarctic expedition is glaciers. These immense ice formations have been gradually moving from the mountains to the oceans for countless years, acting as both time capsules and indicators of our rapidly changing environment.
Scenes from St. Andrews Bay:  12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Scenes from St. Andrews Bay: 12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More

If you ever find yourself exploring the breathtaking sub-Antarctic island chain of South Georgia, one of the most captivating spots you'll encounter is the picturesque shoreline of St. Andrews Bay.
Ancient Arctic Exploration - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Ancient Arctic Exploration

When it comes to polar exploration, the Arctic boasts a much longer history compared to Antarctica.
Orcas of the Polar Seas - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Orcas of the Polar Seas

The orca, also known as the killer whale, is the apex marine predator and possibly the most widespread vertebrate on the planet. While they are most numerous in colder regions like Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska, they also inhabit tropical and subtropical seas. Here, we’ll explore some essential orca facts you might want to know before encountering them in person, concluding with a fantastic video showcasing our top ten favorite killer whale facts.
A Bug’s Life in Svalbard - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

A Bug’s Life in Svalbard

When you think about Svalbard wildlife, you might imagine reindeer, Arctic foxes, polar bears – the primary animal attractions that draw passengers to an Arctic cruise. But in fact, the Svalbard archipelago is a thriving location for over 1,000 species of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates: animals that lack backbones. Despite this richness of life, however, these invertebrates are only found in the Isfjord and Kongsfjord areas of these wonderfully diverse islands.
The Arctic Hare: Easter Bunny - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Arctic Hare: Easter Bunny

Although the Arctic hare’s stern expression might make it seem like the least amused member of a serious tribunal, this polar animal is actually one of the most charming creatures on the planet – especially when Easter Sunday comes around.
Get to Know Your Ice - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Get to Know Your Ice

Ice plays a crucial role in everything from cooling your drink to regulating the planet's temperature. Let's explore the various forms of ice you might encounter during an Arctic or Antarctic adventure.
15 Fantastic Photos of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

15 Fantastic Photos of Antarctica

It is often said that it's impossible to take a bad picture in Antarctica.
Polar Marine Visitors: the Whales of Antarctica and the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Polar Marine Visitors: the Whales of Antarctica and the Arctic

Whales are the world’s largest mammals, found in the Arctic and Antarctica. This article covers some of the major species you may see on voyages to these remarkable areas.
Bouvet Island: The Most Remote Island in the World - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Bouvet Island: The Most Remote Island in the World

On January 1, 1739, French Commander Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier made an extraordinary discovery: a volcanic island so remote that it lies 2,600 km (1,600 miles) from the nearest inhabited land.
Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic