Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruises

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Quick Facts about Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Peninsula is the only part of the Antarctica that extends outside the Antarctic Circle. It is also called Palmer Peninsula, Graham Land, or Tierra de O’Higgins. It forms 800 miles extension towards the southern tip of South America.

The weather in the Antarctic Peninsula is much milder than most people may have imagined. During the summer time, the average temperature is bit above zero (34-36 F) Even during the coldest month in June, the temperature is typically -20 to -15 Celsius (-4 to 5 F).

Antarctic Peninsula is regulated under the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation, and bans military activity on the continent. There are currently 28 scientific research stations in Antarctica Peninsula.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Antarctic Peninsula

Most popular destination for Antarctica expedition trips
Shortest possible journeys to witness the beauty of Antarctica
The best place to enjoy snow and ice covered mountains, glaciers & unique landscape
Visit various penguin colonies & take a selfie with a curious penguin passing by
Plunge into the icy water in Antarctica & take part in other excursions like kayaking and camping

Antarctic Peninsula Seasons

Spring

Late Oct to Nov

Antarctica is reawakening after a long winter. Among the first to set foot on Antarctica with pristine landscape.
Biggest Icebergs of the whole season.
Days are getting longer with more sunlights. Enjoy gorgeous sunsets.
Penguins start to court and begin nest building, sky pointing and stone stealing.
First batch of whales come down to Antarctica for feeding.

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Summer

Dec to Feb

Best Season to visit Antarctica with longest sunshine, warmest temperature and most active wildlife.
Glaciers are actively calving
Cute penguin chicks and seal cubs.
Many whales are migrated here and can be seen feeding in groups.
Rarely sea ice related issues may prevent landing
Best time to explore further south inside Antarctic Circle if possible from mid Feb as pack ice recedes.

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Fall

Mar

Days are getting shorter with incredible sunsets. Temperature drops but still above zero.
Large pods of whales can be seen before migration to north happens
Penguin chicks grow up quickly and start to grow adult features while their parents become to moult.
Spectacular green and pink algae on slopes and cliffs.
Possible night frosts with thin sea ice

Antarctic Peninsula Landing Sites

There are over one hundred possible landing sites in Antarctic Peninsula. Landing and Zodiac cruising are included in the prices of our expedition trips. The exact expedition plan will be determined by the captain and expedition leader based on ice and weather condition. Safety is always the number one priority of our expedition trips. Whenever possible, landing will be arranged so that all travellers might set their feet on Antarctica.

Paradise Bay

Paradise Bay is a must-see for your Antarctica trip. It is located near Lemaire and Bryde Islands on the Peninsula’s west coast. Two research stations are located here. You might see swimming whales in the placid bay dotted with chucks of ice.

Wilhelmina Bay

Wilhelmina Bay is often called “Whale-mina Bay,” one of the best places to spot the larger residents of the oceanic world. As its waters are sheltered, it is another great spot for zodiac cruising between islands and icebergs.

Port Lockroy

A scenic bay on Goudier Island, Port Lockroy lies southwest of Wiencke Island. It was a United Kingdom military base but now was renovated and functions as a museum and post office.

Neumayer Channel

Because of the waterway’s high mountains, ice-covered cliffs, steep glaciers, and occasional whale sightings, Neumayer Channel is considered one of the most desirable passages of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is also often blocked by pack ice, especially early in the cruising season.

Neko Harbour

Neko Harbour is a small bay, with a cobble beach extending approx 500 metres at the southwestern end. Behind the beach a rocky outcrop leads up to the foot of a permanent snowslope. The glaciers around the site are highly crevassed and those surrounding the bay regularly calve.

Lemaire Channel

The 7 mile long gateway is surrounded by snow-swept cliffsides, ice-clutched slopes, gnarled mountain peaks spiking 1,000 meters high (3,280 feet). Giant glaciers tower over the channel and occasionally drop loads of ice that crash into the crystal-clear waters below.

Hidden Bay

It is a bay 3 miles long, lying between Cape Renard and Aguda Point on the northeast coast of Kiev Peninsula, on the west coast of Graham Land.

Petermann Island

Petermann Island stretches 1km-long which rises up to approximately 150 metres above sea level. An ice-cap covers part of the northwestern end and a potentially crevassed permanent ice-slope largely covers the southern end.

Hannah Point

It is a narrow peninsula undulating upward to knife-edged ridges and vertical cliff edges 30-50 metres above sea level. There is loose scree on higher slopes and ridges, evidence of rock falls, and a Jasper mineral vein.

Graham Land

The northernmost portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, Graham Land is the part of Antarctica that lies closest to South America.

Gerlache Strait

Between the Palmer Archipelago and the Danco Coast, the 200 km long strait starts from as wide as 50 km from northern end and narrows to 10 km on the southern end. It is one of the most beautiful areas in Antarctica.

Deception Island

Deception Island is an island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, with the safest harbours in Antarctica. This island is the caldera of an active volcano, which seriously damaged local scientific stations in 1967 and 1969.

Cuverville Island

This 2km by 2.5km island is a steep-sided dome, two-thirds of which is covered by a permanent ice-cap. About 6,500 breeding pairs of gentoos call Cuverville home, composing the largest rookery on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Anvers Island

Also known as Isla Amberes and Antwerp Island, this mountainous landmass lies southwest of Antarctica’s Brabant Island.It is the largest island in the Palmer Archipelago, which lies off the northwestern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula .