For the next two weeks on board the Hans Hansson, cruise and explore the icy wonderland of the Antarctic Peninsula. The small size of the ship allows us to navigate to hard-to-reach locations. Weather permitting, each morning and afternoon you'll make exciting new landings to discover the region's flora and fauna. With only 12 in your group, excursions last longer and can be adapted to suit passenger interests. You'll have plenty of input into where you go and what you see.
See colonies of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins. The krill-rich waters offshore attract a diversity of aquatic life, including humpback whales. Keep your camera handy in case you spot the southern giant petrel, a seabird that eats everything from krill to carrion. When threatened, it responds by spraying oil produced in its stomach at predators. Leopard, Antarctic fur, Weddell and crabeater seals often visit, occasionally hitching a ride on an iceberg. One thing is for sure: every day will be different.
POSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, ice and weather conditions to guide your route and itinerary details. The below is a tentative outline of some of what you might experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed and no expedition will include them all.
ALMIRANTE BROWN
Named after the father of the Argentine Navy, this Antarctic base was opened in 1951, but destroyed by fire in 1984. It has since been partially rebuilt, and is used during summer months for scientific research.
ARGENTINE ISLANDS
These islands have been home to several scientific stations throughout history, the most recent of which was built by the British Government in 1977. In 1996, it was taken over by the Ukrainian Antarctic program, which continues to run the station today. Keep your eyes open for the South Polar skua, a large seabird referred to as a ‘kleptoparasite’ for its penchant to steal fish by attacking other seabirds.
CIERVA COVE
If one of your expedition goals is to witness incredible icebergs and pack ice, Cierva Cove is the place to do it. A massive glacial face regularly calves into the bay and the floating ice can be quite spectacular. Seals can be spotted on ice floes, and later in the season humpback whales occasionally breach the waters.
DECEPTION ISLAND
Once a bustling sealing and whaling station, Deception Island was deserted in 1969 when its British base was destroyed by volcanic activity. Deception is environmentally pristine yet littered with remnants of the past: abandoned research stations, airplane hangars, whaling boats and military bases.
ENTERPRISE ISLAND
Located in Wilhelmina Bay, this island is a history buff ’s delight. A circumnavigation of the island passes the wreck of the Governoren, a whaling factory ship that caught fire with a full load of whale oil on board. Today, its rusting remains sit in Foyn Harbour, and are a curiosity for polar adventurers.
LEMAIRE CHANNEL
This strait runs between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, and is one of the most scenic locations on the western coast, especially during sunrise and sunset. The 11-kilometre long channel (6.8 miles) may become impassable when ice fills the narrow passageway, so we’ll hope for clear waters.
MELCHIOR ISLANDS
This group of low islands in Dallmann Bay offers sightings of male fur seals hauling-out at the end of the breeding season, as they recuperate from their supremacy battles.
MIKKELSEN HARBOUR
Surrounded by stunning ice cliffs and reefs, this wide bay was discovered by a Swedish Antarctic expedition in 1901-1904. Keep your camera at hand, as gentoo penguins and skuas, as well as Weddell, Antarctic fur, leopard and crabeater seals are often seen in the region.
NEUMAYER CHANNEL
This channel separates Anvers Island from Wiencke and Doumer Islands. Because of its inverted S-shape and concealed entrance and exit, it seems maze-like. As we traverse the channel, passengers often line the decks and windows and look in awe at the majestic, soaring cliffs on either side.
PALMER STATION
Located on Anvers Island, Palmer Station is the only American Antarctic research facility north of the Antarctic Circle. Accommodating up to 50 people, this ecological research station focuses on the Antarctic marine ecosystem, sea ice habitats and nesting sites of seabird predators. The region surrounding Anvers Island is considered globally significant, as it exhibits the most significant winter warming trends.
PARADISE BAY
This natural harbour on the West Antarctic Peninsula is surrounded by spectacular mountains, glaciers and ice cliffs. Icebergs regularly calve from the glaciers, providing a place for sea lions, penguins and seabirds to rest and play.
PETERMANN ISLAND
Near the Lemaire Channel, you can stand ashore here and see the southernmost breeding colony of gentoo penguins. The dome of the island rises 200 meters (650 feet) above the sea, offering a challenging hike for panoramic views. Adélie penguins, shags and south polar skuas also inhabit the island.
PITT ISLANDS
Many islands in this small archipelago are named after characters in Charles Dickens’ ‘Pickwick Papers’. The waters here are rich in krill, a sure attractor for whales of all variety. There are Adèlie and chinstrap penguins in the area, as well as southern giant petrel.
PLENEAU ISLAND
Grounded icebergs have been known to occupy the bay at Pleneau Island. Gentoo penguins gather here to breed and tend their young before heading back out to sea.
PORT CHARCOT
This wide bay at the north end of Booth Island was discovered by a French expedition in 1903-05. Visible remains of the expedition include a wrecked tender, stone hut and a cairn with a wooden pillar bearing the names of expedition members. Here, you may have the opportunity to view Adèlie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, as well as petrel, skua and gull birdlife, and Antarctic fur, crabeater, leopard and Weddell seals.
PORT LOCKROY
This harbour on the west side of Wiencke Island was home to a secret base built during the Second World War. Now designated an historic site, Port Lockroy offers a museum and post office for visitors
to explore and enjoy. Proceeds support the preservation of historic sites from the Heroic Age of Exploration.
SKONTORP COVE
Located in Paradise Bay, this cove was named after Edvard Skontorp, a Norwegian whale gunner.
TWO HUMMOCK ISLAND
Named for its two rocky summits, Buache and Modev Peaks, this island is reputed to have been explored by Roald Amundsen during an expedition in 1898. Legend has it that he climbed one of the peaks to test his skis, becoming the first person to downhill ski in Antarctica. Seals, penguins and seabirds call the island home, and whale sightings are not unusual in the area.
VERNADSKI STATION
History lovers will enjoy this Ukrainian-owned research station. Scientists carry out a wide variety of research in areas such as meteorology, ozone, glaciology, ecology and biology. While you’re here, enjoy a drink at the world’s southernmost bar!
VIDELA STATION
This station is named after former Chilean President Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, who in 1940 became the first world leader to visit Antarctica. It is famous as the location of the smallest ever wintering-over party; just two men stayed in 1921-22.
VIEUGUE ISLAND
Discovered during the French expedition of 1903-05, this small island is home to 1,000 breeding pairs of Adèlie penguins, seals and a variety of Antarctic shorebirds. The surrounding waters teem with krill, providing sustenance for seals, whales and other aquatic life.
WILHELMINA BAY
Humpback whales abound in ‘Whale-mina Bay,’ as it’s nicknamed, and the scenery is spectacular. If you’re lucky, you may see the humpbacks bubble netting: they exhale while swimming in circles trapping their prey in a ‘net’ of bubbles, then swim straight up from below, mouths open. A truly spectacular sight!
WIENCKE ISLAND
The southernmost of the major islands of the Palmer Archipelago, this rocky island is covered by glaciers, snow and ice. Pursuit Point has been identified as an important bird area containing breeding colonies of chinstrap penguins and imperial shags, as well as black and white cormorants.
YALOUR ISLANDS
These islands were named after an Argentine Navy Lieutenant who rescued shipwrecked members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition in 1903. Approximately 8,000 pairs of Adelie penguins nest in the islands, sometimes parading for visitors. Yellow lichens and grass give color to the landscape; icebergs are easy to spot with a little effort.
