Around 520.000 km2 Area includes the Antarctic Peninsula. About 1340 km long and only 70 km wide, the tongue of land on the edge of West Antarctica stretches to the northeast. It offers a relatively mild climate, impressive landscapes and rich Antarctic wildlife. All 3 types of long-tailed penguins (Pygoscelis), about 26 other seabirds, the 6th Antarctic seal species and 14 whale species regularly occur in this area. But the Antarctic Peninsula can also score highly in terms of landscape. Mountain ranges, rocky coastlines with lichens and mosses, snowfields, glacier fronts and icebergs. The perfect place for a varied Antarctic trip.
Chinstrap penguin perched on a rock off the Antarctic Peninsula.
Leopard seal on an ice floe in Antarctica at Cierva Cove.
Weddell seal and fur seal in front of a glacier edge in Antarctica.
Drift ice off the Antarctic Peninsula at Cierva Cove.
Gentoo penguins on the beach of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Gentoo penguin on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula in the afterglow at sunset.
Tock tock tock, a little Adelie penguin knocks against the block of ice. He's at the end of the moult and looks incredibly cute with his weirdly sticking out feathers. Tock tock tock. I watch the strange goings on in amazement. Tick Tick finally does it and then a small shiny lump disappears in the beak. A penguin drinking. Naturally. The perfect change from salt water. Suddenly things get busy. A whole group of gentoo penguins has appeared and is waddling along the beach. With heads erect, penguin-typical beat and loud chatter. I could sit here for hours watching these cute birds and gazing at the icebergs in the distance.
AGE ™
Experience the Antarctic Peninsula
Clumsy Adelie penguins, eager gentoo penguins, lazy Weddell seals and hunting leopard seals are waiting for you. Lonely white bays, snow-covered mountains with a reflection in the sea, icebergs of all sizes and shapes and foggy white in the void. A trip to the Antarctic Peninsula is unforgettable and a true privilege.
Landing at Portal Point on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Few people can set foot in Antarctica in their lifetime. In the shadow of climate change, however, there is also a little melancholy in every enthusiasm. In the last 50 years, a warming of around 3°C has been recorded on the Antarctic Peninsula. Will our grandchildren's Antarctic Peninsula be ice-free yet?
Experiences on the Antarctic Peninsula
What can I do in the Antarctic Peninsula?
The Antarctic Peninsula is ideal for wildlife viewing, snow hiking and Zodiac cruises in the drift ice. When you go ashore for the first time, entering the seventh continent is in the foreground. Ice bathing, kayaking, scuba diving, spending the night in Antarctica or visiting a research station is also sometimes possible. Helicopter flights are also rarely carried out. All activities are subject to current snow, ice and weather conditions.
What animal sightings are likely?
Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins and chinstrap penguins live on the Antarctic Peninsula. Mating season is in early summer, the chicks hatch in midsummer, and late summer is moulting season. Bird watchers will also be happy to see Skuas, Chionis alba, Petrels and Terns. Flying albatrosses can also be admired.
The most commonly sighted marine mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula are Weddell seals, crabeater seals and leopard seals. Their young are born in early summer. In mid and late summer, individual animals usually rest on ice floes. Ross seals are rare. Southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals also visit the peninsula depending on the season. You have the best chance of seeing whales in late summer. AGE™ observed fin whales, humpback whales, right whales, a sperm whale and dolphins in March.
In the article Best time to travel you can learn more about the seasonal differences in wildlife viewing. You can see the different animal species of Antarctica in the article The animals of Antarctica to get to know.
What about emperor penguins and king penguins?
Emperor penguins live in inland Antarctica and for example on Snow Hills Island. Their colonies are difficult to access. On the Antarctic Peninsula itself, it is extremely rare, by fortunate coincidence, to meet individual animals. Unfortunately, you will not see king penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula either, because they only come to Antarctica to hunt in winter. For that there is on the subantarctic island South Georgia hundreds of thousands.
How can I reach the Antarctic Peninsula?
Most tourists reach the Antarctic Peninsula by cruise. Ships start, for example, from Ushuaia, Argentina's southernmost city. There are also offers where you can enter by plane via the offshore South Shetland island of King George. The Antarctic Peninsula has no jetty. It is approached with inflatable boats.
How to book a tour to the Antarctic Peninsula?
The Antarctic Peninsula is served by Antarctic expedition ships departing from South America. When choosing a provider, pay attention to the price-performance ratio. Small ships with a lot of excursion programs are recommended. Providers can easily be compared online. You can often benefit from early booking discounts or, with a bit of luck, from last-minute places. AGE™ covered the Antarctic Peninsula during a Sea Spirit Antarctica trip fascinating 100% nature .
Sights & profile
5 reasons for an Antarctic trip
The Antarctic continent: remote, lonely & pristine The Antarctic wildlife: Watch penguins, seals & whales White wonders: Experience icebergs, glaciers & drift ice Spirit of discovery: Enter the 7th continent Thirst for knowledge: Insights into the fascinating world of cold
Antarctica has no inhabitants; A few researchers stay all year round;
Protection status
Antarctic Treaty & Environmental Protection Protocol Visit by permission only
What is the name of the Antarctic Peninsula?
The name Antarctic Peninsula is internationally recognized. However, Chile refers to them as Peninsula Tierra de O'Higgins. The southern part of the Antarctic Peninsula is now officially known by the American name Palmerland and the northern part by the British name Grahamland. Argentina, on the other hand, uses the Tierra de San Martin name for the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula. Finally, there is the Trinity Peninsula. It forms the north-eastern foothills of Grahamland.
The Antarctic Peninsula belongs to the West Antarctica region and is part of the Antarctic continent. It is the northernmost part of Antarctica and therefore the furthest from the South Pole. At the same time, this tongue of land is also the part of Antarctica that is closest to South America.
From the southernmost port of Argentina or Chile, the Antarctic Peninsula can be reached in about three sea days. The ship crosses the Drake Passage and passes the offshore South Shetland Islands.
Argentina, Chile and England have made political territorial claims for the Antarctic Peninsula. These are suspended by the Antarctic Treaty.
For your travel planning
What is the weather like on the Antarctic Peninsula?
The Antarctic Peninsula is the warmest and wettest area of Antarctica. Only about 80% of the land area is covered with ice. The monthly average temperature in deep winter (July) is -10°C. In the Antarctic high summer (December & January) it is just over 0°C. Double-digit plus degrees were occasionally measured during the day. In February 2020, the Argentine research station Esperanza recorded a record 18,3°C.
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent on earth and the only place in the southern hemisphere with a midnight sun in summertime. Antarctica voyage is possible from October to March.
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Liability
If the content of this article does not match your personal experience, we assume no liability. The contents of the article have been carefully researched and are based on personal experience. However, if information is misleading or incorrect, we assume no liability. Furthermore, circumstances can change. AGE™ does not guarantee topicality or completeness.
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What can I do in the Antarctic Peninsula?
What can I do in the Antarctic Peninsula?
What animal sightings are likely?
What animal sightings are likely?
How can I reach the Antarctic Peninsula?
How to book a tour to the Antarctic Peninsula?
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Protection status
What is the weather like on the Antarctic Peninsula?
