Emperor Penguins
of Snow Hill Island, Antarctica

Emperor penguins are one of those amazing species that many of us dream of, but few of us actually expect to see. But now, during the Antarctic spring, it’s possible to easily visit a colony of 4,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins that has recently been discovered in the Weddell Sea at Snow Hill Island. The island is located in close proximity to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Reachable only with an icebreaker and helicopters, the incredible Snow Hill Island colony is undoubtedly the most accessible emperor penguin colony in the world.

The distance between Snow Hill Island and your embarkation point of Ushuaia, Argentina, is relatively short by virtually all Antarctic cruise standards. Compared to the locations of other emperor colonies in the Weddell Sea, Snow Hill Island is a just "short hop" from South America. This means an expedition to visit the emperors now requires almost half the time and half the cost of former voyages to the Weddell and Ross Sea emperor colonies, opening the way for many more people to experience these fantastic birds.

Emperors occupy a niche of superlatives. They are the world’s largest species—standing over three feet tall and weighing upwards of 90 pounds. They are the world’s deepest-diving bird—some recorded at depths over 1,500 feet, and capable of staying underwater for as long as 18 minutes. Emperors are the world’s southernmost nesting species—a rare bird with a population of under 200,000 pairs. They breed under the harshest conditions of any bird, laying their one egg in the dead of the Antarctic winter when temperatures can reach below -75 degrees Fahrenheit! Emperor penguins are handsome beyond description, and their chicks are more endearing than any stuffed toy that has ever graced a child’s crib.

Cruising on the world famous Kapitan Khlebnikov, the only working icebreaker available to eco-travelers in Antarctica that is capable of reaching Snow Hill Island, you’ll travel in style and comfort and traverse this crystalline world of ice and wildlife. Smashing its way through the rugged frozen Weddell Sea ice, this powerful ship becomes your benevolent oasis with its exceptional meals and warm, comfortable accommodations, providing the perfect platform from which to explore the emperor’s sparkling realm.

From Ushuaia it normally takes about two days to cross the legendary Drake Passage to the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. During the crossing, numerous presentations are offered, with time between lectures to see a variety of charismatic seabirds that follow the ship. Most noteworthy among them are wandering, grey-headed and black-browed albatrosses, plus pintado and snow petrels.

Surrounded by giant tabular icebergs, you arrive in the sheltering waters of the peninsula by late afternoon. Weather permitting, helicopter operations to the emperor colony begin the next morning. From the landing site (around 1 to 1½ miles from the colony to avoid disturbance) you hike into the emperors' crystalline world. Along the way many birds wander up to see these new creatures that have recently arrived. Then, spread before you are nine incredible sub-colonies (clusters) of hundreds or thousands of birds that stretch for almost a mile.

A cacophony of calls fills the air, as does the unmistakable scent of a seabird colony. In this extraordinary location—and with the backdrop of ice-blue bergs and glacier-covered coastal cliffs—you’ll see "the march of the penguins" as they make their way back and forth to the sea on their arduous foraging forays to feed their hungry chicks. Special, yet relatively common adult behaviors to observe include tobogganing on their bellies, feeding chicks, intertwining their necks and bowing their heads—and even the outside chance of seeing the "holy grail" of emperor penguin behaviors—the brooding of a small chick on the feet of an adult.

You’ll also spend time in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula visiting colonies of newly-arrived Adélie and gentoo penguins, and of course some of the dramatic icescapes at the tip of the peninsula and adjacent islands. At this time of year, if the weather is clear, glowing twilight on the tabular icebergs can be sensational. But spending time with emperors will be the highest priority on this voyage!

Specialty trips like the Emperor Penguins of Snow Hill Island operate in late-October through November to encounter the last weeks of the emperors' unique winter breeding cycle. Emperor penguins hatch throughout July and early August in their colonies located on the sea ice. From mid-December through January the young molt out of their downy plumage and gradually fledge into the sea. During this time, the sea ice at the Snow Hill colony is too soft to support human visitation.