My Favorite Antarctica Spots
I still can’t believe I have now been to all seven continents. If you would have told me 8 years ago on my first international trip that I would travel all over the world, I never would have believed you. Traveling to the Antarctica Peninsula by expedition ship is one of my top five travel moments. While I enjoyed every stop we made in Antarctica, I had a few favorites.
My days in Antarctica consisted of a morning and an afternoon landing or zodiac tour, or about 10 stops over 5 days. Each stop was different from the next. Antarctica had areas with no snow to feet of snow to icebergs to glaciers to lava rock to active volcano. The landscape and wildlife were so diverse and interesting. While I enjoyed every stop I made in Antarctica, I have a few favorites.
Map of My Adventure
Paulet Island
Paulet Island is a circular island about a mile in diameter off the north-eastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island was my very first landing. This stop will always hold a special place in my heart not only because of the excitement of putting on the gear and taking a zodiac over but because the island is home to 200,000+ Adelie Penguins. I knew I was going to see penguins but I had no clue how many I would actually see. I was also treated to the unexpected baby Adelie Penguins.
Hidden Bay
Hidden Bay is aptly named because from the north the bay is hidden by the Screen Islands. This is where I spent New Year’s Day. I can’t think of a better place to be. I climbed in to a zodiac with eight of my new friends and we cruised along the bay looking for wildlife and dodging icebergs. We even toasted the new year in the middle of bay.
Deception Island
This island was the biggest surprise to me. Deception Island home to an active volcano. I did not expect that. It has a distinctive horse-shoe shape with a large flooded caldera. It is one of the only places in the world where vessels can sail directly into the center of a restless volcano. We did not sail into it, but we did make a zodiac landing.
The first thing you notice as you approach is the black sands beach and the steam rising from it. It was so interesting to feel the hot water coming up from the ground being heated by the geothermal activity. The island was also home to an old whaling station and airport strip. I was also treated to an unexpected elephant and leopard seal.
Lemaire Channel
This wasn’t an actual stop as we never got off the ship but it was spectacular! The channel is 1,600 meters wide at its narrowest point and is one of the most popular sights on an Antarctic Peninsula cruise. It is nicknamed 'Kodak Alley' because it is beautifully photogenic, and wonderfully calm. As we sailed thorough you could almost swear you could touch the mountain peaks surrounding you. The channel was filled with crystal clear water and beautiful icebergs.
If you are interested in adventure, Antarctica might be the perfect place for you. This was one of the most immersive experience I have been on. I still can’t believe I was there. It is an experience I will never forget.
