The next few days are spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales.
The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and Southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is breathtaking.
King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, Kelp gulls, Blue-eyed cormorants, Antarctic terns and Southern giant petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins as well as Elephant seals await you at Livingston Island.
The Antarctic Peninsula has a remarkable history of early exploration and you will have plenty of time to enjoy its amazing scenery - a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways - and its incredible variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds, you are likely to see Weddell seals, Crabeater seals and Leopard seals, as well as Minke whales, Killer whales (orca) and Humpback whales at close range.
Depending on ice conditions, your ship will navigate through beautiful waterways such as the Gerlache Strait - a region of mountainous islands, broad straits, protected bays and narrow channels that offer moments of solitude. A profusion of tall peaks humans have never climbed and vast glaciers flowing inexorably seaward are the main physical features. The Melchior Island group and Cuverville Island in the scenic Errera Channel, with its raised beach that forms a wonderful nesting site for Gentoo penguins, can also be explored.
The Neumayer and Lemaire Channels are stunning narrow passages that pass between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Other points of interest include Portal Point, Neko Harbour and Pléneau Island. Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world, as we attempt a landing on the continent proper.
If ice conditions permit, we may be able to sail through the Penola Strait that separates the Argentine Islands, Petermann and Hovgaard islands from the Antarctic Peninsula. Petermann Island is home to the southernmost colony of Gentoo penguins.
After sailing back through the iceberg strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we may be able to visit the bustling Adélie penguin colony (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed cormorant colony on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903 and today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins.
Your exact itinerary will depend on the cruise you have booked, but typically you will enjoy two activities per day - at least one on land and the other on water, as well as lectures on board.
Note: Weather conditions will determine your itinerary and departure times each day.