A seasoned globetrotter has visited more than 400 islands across the globe, but there’s one with majestic mountains and rugged glaciers he calls the ‘best in the world’.

Henrik Jeppesen has achieved a remarkable feat that many of us could only dream of – visiting every single country in the world. That’s a whopping 193 nations, according to the United Nations.

The 37-year-old world traveller, originally from Thy, in northwest Jutland, Denmark, has also ticked off more than 2,000 destinations from his ever-expanding travel list, including more than 400 islands across every ocean. From the Maldives to New Zealand and Seychelles, Henrik knows a thing or two about island life and possesses a treasure trove of insider tips.

Yet, there’s one island that stands out from them all, leaving Henrik with a “deep impression”, and that’s South Georgia Island, part of a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island, often described as ‘Antarctic-like’, is home to majestic snow-covered mountains, gigantic glaciers and deep fjords.

The breathtaking island is known as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ due to its sub-Antarctic wildlife, with more than seven million penguins, over 65,000 seals, and up to 30 million breeding birds. Its scenes are something straight out of a nature documentary. Indeed, Sir David Attenborough has notably visited the remote island on various occasions.

Labelling it as the ‘best island in the world’, Henrik told the Express: “This British island lies deep in the South Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-Antarctic, and feels like one of the last truly wild places on Earth. South Georgia is raw, dramatic, and overwhelming in scale – nature entirely on its own terms.

“It’s especially known for its enormous penguin colonies, among the largest in the world, where hundreds of thousands of birds gather on black-sand beaches beneath towering mountains and glaciers. It’s a sensory experience that’s both humbling and unforgettable.”

However, those hoping to visit the rugged landscape will need to plan well in advance as it’s considered one of the world’s most remote destinations. Henrik shared: “Getting there isn’t easy. There are no flights. The only real way to visit is by expedition cruise, usually departing from South America. I did this on a three-week voyage through some of the most remote seas on Earth. While it was unforgettable, it also reminded me of an important reality of exploration today: Even when paying a lot for an expedition cruise, landings at remote destinations are not guaranteed.”

He continued: “On the same trip, we were scheduled to land at Tristan da Cunha, another famously remote island – yet conditions prevented us from making that landing at all. Despite that, South Georgia alone makes the journey more than worthwhile.”

Attenborough first visited South Georgia Island with the BBC in 1981, before returning for a short documentary that aired in 2020. Yet, despite its undeniable beauty, Attenborough noted at the time that: “South Georgia is a global rarity – an ecosystem in recovery.”

Attenborough warned of the threat of climate change to the Antarctic, as the ice covering much of the island is melting. He shared: “Since I was first here, the island’s glaciers have retreated, some by 500 metres. A 2.5 °C rise in air temperatures in the past 70 years means the Antarctic is one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet.”

Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, said at the time: “South Georgia is a real gem in the Southern Ocean. The stunning wildlife will fill you with awe and make you wonder at the incredible beauty of the island. South Georgia shows us how much better our planet can be if we learn to live in balance with nature.”

Henrik further noted that South Georgia Island “reminds you that nature still rules the wild world.” He said that while he’s visited more than 400 islands, he’s learnt that the best ones “aren’t about luxury or popularity, but defined by impact – how profoundly they stay with you long after the journey ends.”

Other islands that have stood out for Henrik during his worldwide travels include New Zealand’s South Island due to its “blend of epic scenery with safety and warmth”. He explained: “What makes the South Island especially unforgettable to me is not just the scenery, but the people, culture, and quality of life.

“The locals are welcoming and friendly, the food is excellent, the country feels clean, and it’s consistently ranked among the safest places to travel in the world. This combination of breathtaking nature, warm people, and peace of mind makes the South Island a rare travel gem.”

Elsewhere, he spoke highly of Suðuroy, which celebrates quiet and authenticity, along with Greenland for its “culture, scale, and deep personality”. Henrik also noted Easter Island as one of the best because it shows “isolation and history combine into something unforgettable.”

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