Deception Island Whalers Bay, travel report

Personal Experience Deception Island Whalers Bay

This travel report takes you on our shore excursion to Deception Island: Explore Whalers Bay and its historic buildings with us. Enjoy the presence of fur seals and gentoo penguins. Experience how a change in the weather enchants the coast in just a few minutes. Deception Island is part of the South Shetland Islands and politically part of Antarctica. The sub-Antarctic island is visited on Antarctic cruises and offers several sights.

Deception Island Whalers Bay

Antarctic Expedition

Antarctica • Antarctic trip • South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula & South Georgia • Ship Sea Spirit • Antarctic Travel Report 1/2/3/4

Our visit to Whalers Bay on Deception Island

Historical Lost Place and Cute Sea Dogs

The Whalers Bay of Deception Island is a first-class lost place. Nevertheless, it is visited by the guests of the Sea Spirit perceived very differently. The statements vary from "Fantastic photo opportunities" to "You have to see it at least once" to "What am I doing here?". They are talking about the rusty remains of the former whaling station and the dilapidated buildings from the eventful history of this South Shetland island. But at the end of the day we all agree: Thanks to Mother Nature, the trip was a complete success for nature lovers too.

In the first half of the 20th century, Deception Island was dominated by seal hunting, whale hunting and the processing of whales in the southernmost blubber cooking plant in the world. A sad past. During the Second World War, the British destroyed all the facilities for fear that they might fall into the hands of the Germans. We stand helplessly for a moment in front of the ruins of time, staring at the huge rust-red tanks and having gruesome images in our heads.

Then we do the only logical thing: We throw ourselves into a photo shoot with sugar-sweet Antarctic fur seals.

Also known as fur seals, the beautiful animals were nearly wiped out during Deception Island's Dark Years. But fortunately they have returned, have multiplied successfully and have now reclaimed their habitat. They seem to know that they no longer have anything to fear from humans and remain perfectly calm despite our presence. We too relax and enjoy the beautiful view and the company of the funny sea dogs.

They lie everywhere. At the beach. in the moss. Even between the tanks. males and females. adults and juveniles. How nice that this is her island again today. A member of the expedition team draws our attention to the moss again. After all, we are in the Antarctic and for this area, mosses are an extremely lush vegetation that deserves a little attention.

Finally, we wander along the beach and explore the dilapidated buildings. A little history can't hurt. On our journey through the past, we circle rusty tanks, take a look in crooked windows, find old graves and the remains of a tractor buried in the sand. You are not allowed to enter the ruins because there is an acute danger of them collapsing.

I like the tractor best. It is impressive what ground masses must have moved in order for the vehicle to sink so deeply. A skuas next to wood and rusty nails makes me think again. It would make sense to clean up here. It's just a shame that that's exactly what's forbidden.

The whaling station's residential building was converted into a research station by the British, the expedition team explains. The aircraft hangar also dates from this period. No, the aircraft is no longer there. It has since been removed. Great Britain, Argentina and Chile had stations here and laid claim to the island. Two volcanic eruptions put an end to the dispute and the island was evacuated. The cemetery was also buried at that time. "And today?" Today, Deception Island is covered by the Antarctic Treaty. The states' political claims are suspended and the remains of the whaling station are protected as a heritage site.

Enough story for today. We are drawn back to the animal inhabitants of the island. To our great joy we discover two Gentoo penguins. They patiently pose for us and waddle eagerly back and forth between the fur seals.

Then the weather suddenly changes and nature transforms our excursion into something very special:

First, fog gathers and the mood suddenly changes. Somehow the mountains seem bigger than before. Tiny huts, volcanic land, a mighty rocky slope and all-consuming fog towers above. The scenery becomes mystical, nature is present and the deep gray intensifies the shading of the rock into bright colors.

Then it starts raining. All of a sudden, like a secret command. Fine sleet pelts the black beach. The dark sand seems to get a little darker, a little rockier and more contrasting. In the distance, on the other hand, the contours blur, the clouds lower and the world blurs.

Eventually the rain solidifies into snow. And before our eyes, the coast of Deception Island turns into a new fairyland. The painter of the air delicately traces the lines of the mountains. Every single contour. Like a pencil drawing. And when his work of art is finished, the snowfall stops immediately.

We are fascinated by how the world around us is changing. Like a perfect theatrical production, only live. In just a few minutes all the mountains and hills on the coast are draped in a new white dress. It looks beautiful. Here too, in a lost place like this, nature has created a masterpiece for us.

Antarctica • Antarctic trip • South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula & South Georgia • Ship Sea Spirit • Antarctic Travel Report 1/2/3/4

Did you like Whalers Bay from Deception Island?

The Magazine.Travel travel magazine has written more articles on the topic for you: Join us when we course for Deception Island discover our first iceberg of the trip and enter the water-filled caldera of Deception Island. On our lonely Hiking in Telefon Bay From Deception Island we explore the beauty of the landscape and have a fantastic view down to the floating expedition ship Sea Spirit in the volcanic crater. If you would like to take a short Overview of facts and sights of the island then you have come to the right place with our fact sheet about Deception Island.

• Complete Deception Island travel report including trip to the caldera
• Travel report about the hike in Telefon Bay on Deception Island
• Fact Sheet about Deception Island and its attractions

Antarctica • Antarctic trip • South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula & South Georgia • Ship Sea Spirit • Antarctic Travel Report 1/2/3/4