Burgess guide to exploring Antarctica.

Stretching from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Iceberg Alley refers to the thousand kilometres of coastline where monolithic icebergs - huge chunks of glacier that have broken off and floated in from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic – can be spotted in the waters. It’s also an ideal location for whale watching and spotting Green-Winged Teals and Golden Eagles overhead. 

Crystal Sound 

Crystal Sound – a channel of water between the southern part of the Biscoe Islands and the coast of Graham Land – is a magical location full of snow-covered mountains, floating icebergs and crystal-clear water. So-called after the number of scientists using the area to research ice crystals, it forms part of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is renowned for its dramatic scenery. It also remains one of the most accessible parts of Antarctica to visit by boat when approaching from Patagonia. 

The Antarctic Circle 

Antarctica is the world’s final frontier, making it prime cruising grounds for those set on an adventure yacht charter. Vast penguin colonies, Blue Whales and Weddel Seals all thrive here, the Earth’s southernmost, driest, coldest and windiest continent. Here is where guests ice climb volcanoes, take to the water in a Polar plunge and dive by submersible, all in a day. 

The Gullet 

Separating Hansen Island and Day Island, The Gullet is a narrow yet impressive Antarctic waterway. It sits between the eastern extremity of Adelaide Island and the west coast of Graham Land and is admired for its 11 nautical miles of unadulterated natural beauty. Cruising through here is a humbling experience set against nature’s epic proportions.

Port Lockroy 

The Antarctic base of Port Lockroy, situated on Goudier Island (not to be confused with the natural harbour on Wiencke Island to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula) has been a home for explorers, whalers, scientists and sailors for centuries. It’s the most visited site in the Antarctic, which provides an opportunity to monitor the disturbance caused to the Gentoo Penguins that nest around the station. To date, no adverse effects have been detected. 

Antarctic animals 

As inhospitable as Antarctica is to humans, its wild and icy tundra host a diverse selection of wildlife – around 235 animal species – that thrive in the Polar conditions. From the mighty Emperor and King Penguins, and a litany of sea birds, penguins and seals, to the mighty Blue Whale, the largest animal to have ever lived on Earth, the southern continent is alive. 

Adelie Penguins 

Paulet Island is located off the northeastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, south of Dundee Island. Its lunar landscape is made up of lava flows and a cinder cone with a small summit crater, providing perfect geothermally heated and ice-free conditions for Adelie Penguins. Due to the island’s impressive 100,000 breeding pairs, it has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and is a prized landing site for photographers and Antarctic wildlife enthusiasts. 

Leopard Seals 

When in Antarctica, The Gullet is the place to head to spot fur and crabeater seals, as well as Leopard Seals – the only cannibalistic member of its family. Leopard Seals are notoriously hard to spot as they spend much of their lives submerged, but when hunting, they can be spotted floating in waters near edges of ice or land where penguins have congregated. Keen naturalists need to keep their eyes peeled though, as Leopard Seals are solitary creatures, only grouping during mating season.  

King Penguins 

South Georgia Island and the Falklands Islands is where the King Penguin – the second largest penguins in the world – can be found. Identifiable by a fiery golden plumage around their heads and dark grey bodies, the male species, made famous by Disney’s Happy Feet, are renowned for incubating their eggs on their feet while covering them with a special pouch to keep them warm during the harsh winter. 

Killer Whales

Killer whales – or Orcas – technically form part of the dolphin family and can be found all over Antarctica. Growing to mammoth proportions (the males reach up to 9.5m (31 ft) in length) they are commonly spotted from February to March, when the whales are their most active.  

Elephant Seals 

The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest seal in the world, at least six times larger than polar bears and nearly twice the size of the next largest seal, the Northern Elephant Seal. The ginormous males can weigh up to 3,700kg (8,000lb) and are hugely territorial. The most dominant develop harems of up to 150 females, and they defend their right to mate with them with their life. Ninety percent of males die before developing a harem. 

Chinstrap Penguins 

The Chinstrap Penguin earned its name from the narrow black band under its head, which makes it appear as though it’s wearing a black helmet. Living for up to 20 years in the wild, they are known for leaning on the lively side – most penguins have a friendly temperament, but the Chinstrap will stare, glare, charge, stretch, point and gestures if they feel threatened.  

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