Prion Island

Prion Island

Location of Prion Island

Prion Island is an island a mile and a half north-northeast of Luck Point, in the Bay of Isles, South Georgia.

The island was charted in 1912-13 by Robert Cushman Murphy, an American naturalist aboard the brig Daisy, and so named because he observed prions roosting on the island.

The island has been designated as a Specially Protected Area by the South Georgia Government, due to its rat-free status and breeding wandering albatrosses. Access is by permit, in that the island must be specifically named on the visit application and permit. A boardwalk with two viewing platforms was built in February/March 2008 to prevent erosion of the access gully and trampling of prion burrows. Wandering Albatross population counts are conducted annually. Because it is rat-free it is a breeding area for South Georgia pipits and burrowing petrels.

Access

Visits are restricted as described in the GSGSSI Information For Visitors document as follows:

• Closed between 20 November and 7 January (Inclusive), to prevent disturbance of breeding fur seals at the landing beach.
• A maximum of two visits per day
• Landing at the designated beach only and all visitors to stay on the boardwalk
• Commercial visits to maintain a 1:10 staff to passenger ratio
• Maximum 50 people ashore at any time
• A visit is not to exceed 5 hours
• Thorough biosecurity checks to be made before landing

Outside links

• Location map: 54°1’1"S, 37°15’0"W
• Film of Prion Island
• GSGSSI Information for Visitors document