Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most-visited region of Antarctica. This northward-reaching extension of the polar continent reaches within 1000 miles of the southernmost tips of Chile and Argentina. It includes both the landmass of the actual continent of Antarctica, numerous islands, and the ice sheets that extend and connect many of these bodies of land.

Bases

  • Arturo Prat (Chile)
  • Bernardo O’Higgins (Chile)
  • Esperanza (Argentina)
  • King George Island (several countries)
  • Marambio (Argentina)
  • Palmer (U.S.)
  • Rothera (U.K.)
  • San Martin (Argentina)
  • Vernadsky (Ukraine)
  • Villa Las Estrellas on King George Island (Chile)

Other destinations

  • Brown Bluff.
  • Cierva Cove. While no landings are possible due to land areas being designated areas of special scientific interest, the cove is home to dozens of leopard seals which lounge on the ice flows.
  • Cuverville.
  • Deception Island (part of South Shetland Islands).
    • Baily Head. Home to the world’s second-largest colony of chinstrap penguins, set amidst an incredible natural amphitheatre. The penguins come and go from the colony through a narrow passage, with thousands of penguins following American driving rules by always walking on the right.
    • Whaler’s Bay. Hot springs, the remains of an old whaling station, and the remains of a British Antarctic Survey base destroyed by eruptions that lasted from 1967 through 1970 are the highlights of this stop.
    • Pendulum Cove. A popular spot for visitors wanting to take a swim in the hot springs and thus claim the distinction of having swum in Antarctic waters.
  • Gerlache Straits. A narrow body of water that stretches along the picturesque Danco Coast on the west coast of Graham Land, part of the Antarctic Peninsula. These straights offer amazing opportunities for watching Humpback, Minke, and other whales and marine mammals.
  • Neko Harbour and Andvord Bay. These are among the most beautiful areas in Antarctica offering views of sculpted icebergs and surfacing whales in the inner bays that are surrounded by spectacular glaciers and mountains. This is a good place to watch whale feeding behavior as they engulf enormous krill swarms.
  • Hannah Point. This point of land is located on Livingston Island, part of the South Shetland Islands located at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. A large Chinstrap Penguin colony calls Hannah Point home. Other birds include Gentoo Penguins and scavengers like South Polar Skuas, Kelp Gulls, Southern Giant-petrels, and Snowy Sheathbills. Also find excellent examples of Antarctica’s only two flowering plants, Antarctic Hairgrass and Antarctic Pearlwort, a complete flora of the entire continent at one site.
  • Palmer Station.
  • Paradise Bay. This scenic bay is a favorite places for Zodiac cruising to view marine mammals up-close, including Minke and Humpback Whales plus Crabeater and Leopard Seals hauled out on ice floes. Almirante Brown, one of Argentina’s Antarctic Bases, is located along the bay.
  • Paulet Island. A volcanic island that is home to the largest adelie penguin colony in the world. The strenuous hike to the top of the island takes about three hours round trip and offers incredible views of the surrounding area. In addition, the remains of a hut used by the Nordenskjold expedition can be found on the island.
  • Peterman Island. Petermann is outstanding for seeing Gentoo and Adelie Penguins at their nest sites and making feeding trips in large groups along a “penguin highway” in the snow. The clear water is beautiful for observing and photographing penguins returning to land.
  • Port Lockroy. Since 1996 the historic base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island has been staffed by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust during the Antarctic summer. Receiving about 10,000 visitors a year, it is one of the most visited sites on the continent. Visitors can tour the museum, buy souvenirs, post mail, and view the large gentoo penguin colony.