Volcanic island Deception Island, Antarctica cruise

Exciting facts about historical sites, flora and fauna, landing points and special features of the South Shetland Island Deception Island:

Deception island

South Shetland Islands

Subantarctic Island

Deception Island is an active volcano that once rose high out of the Southern Ocean and then collapsed centrally. The ring-shaped island belongs to the South Shetland Islands and is therefore politically part of Antarctica. Erosion eventually created a narrow entrance to the ocean and the caldera was flooded with sea water. From then on, ships could sail into the caldera through the narrow entrance (Neptune's Bellows): This protected natural harbor (Port Foster) was used in the 19th century for fur seal hunting, then as a whaling station and as a base in World War II, and today serves as a safe harbor for cruise ships.

South Shetland – Lagoon in Telefon Bay from Deception Island

In addition to numerous historical relics, Deception Island boasts a magnificent volcanic landscape that contrasts with the glaciers that cover over 50 percent of the island. The island is also home to a large colony of chinstrap penguins and fur seals.

The volcano is still active: the ground rises by about 30 centimeters every year.

Panorama of Whalers Bay: volcanic plain, rusty red tanks and white mountains in contrast.

Personal Experience Deception Island

During our Antarctica and South Georgia dream trip with the Expedition ship Sea Spirit We also visited Deception Island. You can read our personal experiences in the travel report "The rugged beauty of the South Shetland Islands“Read.

To the Deception Island travel report

Antarctic Travel Guide • dream trip to Antarctica • South Shetland • Deception Island Facts • travel report Deception Island

Detailed information about Deception Island

Wildlife

Deception Island is a breeding ground for several species of birds, and Baileys Head is home to a large breeding colony of chinstrap penguins. Gentoo penguins do not breed on the island, but are occasionally seen. Arctic fur seals are regular visitors, but Weddell seals and crabeater seals also occasionally rest on the beaches. Leopard seals are occasionally seen off the coast.

Phone Bay

Telefon Bay is located on the north coast and can be reached from the water-filled caldera. Striking ash cliffs, volcanic craters up to 45 meters deep that are slowly being filled with sediment, and crater lakes characterize the landscape, making Telefon Bay ideal for long hikes through this impressive volcanic landscape. Fur seals and Weddell seals can also occasionally be spotted on the beach.

Whalers Bay

Whalers Bay is a small harbor immediately northeast of the crossing of Neptune's Bellows. The historic site contains remnants of whaling in the Antarctic (1906-1931): the former Norwegian whaling station and a whalers' cemetery. It also contains the abandoned British scientific "Base B" (1944-1969). In addition to these historical relics, fur seals can also often be seen in Whalers Bay, as well as the occasional resting Weddell seal, crabeater seal, chinstrap penguin or gentoo penguin. 

Pendulum Cove

A gently sloping ash and cinder beach leads to the remains of the abandoned Chilean research station. It was inaugurated in 1955 and destroyed by a volcanic eruption in December 1967. The historic site is a symbol of the dramatic force of a volcanic eruption. The fact that the volcano is still active can be felt from the sometimes warm water streams on the shore of the caldera.

Baily Head

Baily Head is known for its large chinstrap penguin colony. The rocky headland with the penguin breeding area is located on the south-east coast of Deception Island on the outside of the island, outside the caldera. During the breeding season, the valley at Bailys Head has meltwater streams and a penguin highway on which the birds waddle downhill to the sea and uphill to the nests.

Research

In the 20th century, Argentina, Chile and England had scientific representation on Deception Island. The stations had to be evacuated due to volcanic eruptions. Remains of the British station can be seen in Whalers Bay. Remains of the Chilean station can be seen at Pendulum Cove. Nowadays, Argentina and Spain operate research stations on the volcanic island in the summer. 

Facts Deception Island

Name	Deception Island, Island of Deception
Size	98,5 km2 (approx. 15 km diameter)
Height	highest peak: 539 meters (Mount Pond)
Location	Subantarctic Island, South Shetland Islands, 62°57'S, 60°38'W
Politics	Claims: Argentina, Chile, England Territorial claims are suspended by the 1961 Antarctic Treaty
Flora	Lichens & mosses & Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quietnsis) & abundant green algae (Prasiola crispa). Two species of mosses that are found nowhere else in Antarctica. More than 57% of the island is covered with permanent glaciers
Fauna	Mammals: especially fur seals Birds: e.g. Chinstrap penguins, Gentoo penguins, Skua, Arctic tern, Cape petrel, Kelp gull Nine nesting seabird species Large Chinstrap Penguin Colony (Baily Head)
population	uninhabited
Protection status	Antarctic Treaty, IAATO Guidelines

Antarctic Travel Guide • dream trip to Antarctica • South Shetland • Deception Island Facts • travel report Deception Island

Deception Island on Antarctica cruise

Deception Island is a very popular destination on Antarctic cruises because landings in the calm waters of the caldera are almost always possible. After the cruise ship has entered the water-filled caldera, passengers can be taken by dinghy to Telefon Bay, Pendulum Cove or Whalers Bay. Baily Head with its chinstrap penguin colony is by far the most spectacular landing, but due to strong swell it can unfortunately only rarely be carried out in very good weather.

Personal experience: After Halfmoon Island The volcanic island of Deception Island was the second South Shetland Island on our Antarctic cruise. Follow us on a Hiking in Telefon Bay and be there when we look for sea dogs in the Whalers Bay to meet.

• On an expedition ship like the Sea Spirit you too can discover Antarctica.
• Feel like an adventure? Our Antarctica travel report takes you into the lonely realm of the cold.
• Read our comprehensive Antarctic Travel Guideto learn more about this untouched wilderness.

Antarctic Travel Guide • dream trip to Antarctica • South Shetland • Deception Island Facts • travel report Deception Island

What is the weather like in Deception Island?

Would you also like to travel to Antarctica?

Information and experiences for your Antarctica trip:

• Dream trip Antarctica and South Georgia: Here you will find everything you need to know about the lonely kingdom of cold and the animal paradise of South Georgia.
• To the End of the World and Beyond, Antarctica Travel Report: Browse our Antarctica travel report and be there from the beginning.
• On an Antarctic cruise with the expedition ship Sea Spirit: Find out about the expedition ship we travelled on.
• Animals of Antarctica: Learn about the impressive biodiversity and adaptation strategies of animals in Antarctica.

Information and experiences South Shetland Islands:

• Halfmoon Island wildlife watching, highlight of South Shetland
• Volcanic island Deception Island, stopover on an Antarctic cruise
• Elephant Island with Point Wild and Cape Lookout, South Shetland
• Antarctica trip: The rugged beauty of South Shetland, travel report

Antarctic Travel Guide • dream trip to Antarctica • South Shetland • Deception Island Facts • travel report Deception Island

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