Whaler’s Bay (Deception Island) and Half Moon Island, 12/26/2023, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Antarctica
The last full day of our expedition brought us to the surreal Whaler’s Bay at Deception Island. The only way to access this historical site is through the narrow Neptune’s Bellows, which brought us into a caldera volcano that is still active. It last erupted in 1970.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Half Moon Island, where a colony of chinstrap penguins welcomed us as we hiked to an Argentine research station.
Amy Brummit has spent several seasons supporting science in Antarctica at all three United States research bases - McMurdo Station, Palmer Station and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. These experiences include “wintering” at McMurdo Station whe...
Enter travel details to receive reports from a single expedition
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Send Daily Expedition Reports to friends and family
*By clicking the submit button, I authorize Lindblad Expeditions to email me; however, I am able to unsubscribe at any time. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday,
during normal business hours. DERs are written onboard the ship only and do
not apply to land-based portions of expeditions.
Steaming north in calms seas, we reflected on a special trip to the White Continent. But the trip isn’t over yet. The morning’s activities included lectures on the historical race to the South Pole along with diving deep into the world of sea stars. After lunch, guests had the opportunity to sort through their favourite photos with our certified photo instructor, who will compile the photos to produce a guest slideshow. Following a delicious afternoon tea, we learned about the Extreme Ice Survey. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions plays a vital role in maintaining and downloading important data.
The day began with a visit to the largest gentoo penguin colony on the Antarctic peninsula at Cuverville Island. Time ashore was spent with the colonies, and a chinstrap penguin was also seen. Zodiac cruising was offered to explore the surrounding area, which was filled with stunning ice and wildlife. In the afternoon, the ship arrived at the Melchior Islands for a beautiful tour via Zodiac to explore the many islands. Humpback whales, Weddell and leopard seals, and birdlife were all around. It was a stunning end to our time in Antarctica.
Today we basked in the glorious Antarctic sun! This morning, we arrived in the Pleneau area just in time for a breathtaking sunrise. The sky lit up in vibrant hues, casting a perfect reflection of towering icebergs and rugged mountains on the still waters — a truly spectacular sight. We spent the morning exploring Pleneau Island and the adjacent waters, home to a thriving gentoo penguin colony, peacefully logging humpback whales, and many curious leopard seals, all surrounded by magnificent icebergs. Following the excursion, the bravest among us took the ultimate plunge into the icy Antarctic waters. A huge congratulations to all those who embraced the challenge! Our journey continued north through the legendary Lemaire Channel, where we were once again awed by the breathtaking landscape of glaciers, ice, and towering peaks. In the afternoon, we arrived at Hidden Bay, where the adventure continued. Some guests explored the serene waters by kayak, while others enjoyed an incredibly peaceful and scenic Zodiac cruise. It was a day filled with unforgettable memories of Antarctica!