Halfmoon Island South Shetland Islands

Here you can expect exciting Facts around Flora and fauna and Landing points and Features of the island. The absolute highlight of Halfmoon Island is its Chinstrap penguin colony.

Halfmoon Island South Shetland Islands

Special features of Halfmoon Island

South Shetland Islands

Subantarctic Island

Halfmoon Island is the crescent-shaped crater rim an extinct volcano, only about 120 km from the Antarctic Peninsula away and is a unique natural paradise. The only 3,5 km² large island belongs to the archipelago of the South Shetland Islands and is therefore politically part of Antarctica.

Lonely pebble beaches, steep scree slopes, cliffs, and igneous rock outcrops characterize the subantarctic volcanic island and provide shelter and good nesting sites for seabirds. The highlight for visitors is the Chinstrap penguin colony the volcanic island. Gentoo penguins, other seabirds, and seals can also be observed.

Halfmoon Island Sights

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Personal experience Halfmoon Island

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

To the Halfmoon Island travel report

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

Detailed information about Halfmoon Island

Wildlife with chinstrap penguin colony

The island is a breeding ground for numerous bird species, including chinstrap penguins, snowy silkbills, terns, and gulls. Arctic fur seals and Weddell seals are regular visitors to the island, and southern elephant seals can also be occasionally spotted.

main landing beach

The main landing beach is a small pebble beach on the north shore. Arctic fur seals and chinstrap penguins can sometimes be seen there. The wreck of a small old whaling dory also lies on the beach. At the beginning of the season, the small wooden boat can be covered in snow. Visitors are allowed to move freely directly on the beach.

Cámara research station

To the west of the landing site lies the Argentine research station Cámara. In the summer, scientists work there at various locations on Halfmoon Island. Argentina has had an Antarctic research station on Halfmoon Island since 1955, but otherwise the island is uninhabited. Politically, she falls under the Antarctic Treaty, which does not allow state sovereignty.

Facts Halfmoon Island Profile

Name	Halfmoon Island, Halbmondinsel
Size	3,5 km2 (2 kilometers long)
Height	highest peak: about 100 meters (Gabriel Hill)
Location	Subantarctic island, South Shetland Islands, 61°13'S, 55°22'W
Politics	Claims: Argentina Territorial claims are suspended by the 1961 Antarctic Treaty
Flora	lichens & mosses
Fauna	Mammals: Arctic fur seals, Weddell seals Confirmed breeding birds: Chinstrap penguins, Arctic terns, storm petrels, skuas, snowy bills, blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls
population	uninhabited
Protection status	Antarctic Treaty, IAATO Guidelines

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

Halfmoon Island on Antarctica cruise

Cruise ships can approach the island's north coast and land on two pebble beaches with small dinghies. From there, a guided hike to the chinstrap penguin colony on the island's eastern tip is possible. Halfmoon Island is a popular stopover on Antarctic cruises.

Personal experience: Our first shore excursion on an Antarctic cruise took us directly to Halfmoon Island. Follow us in the rugged beauty of the South Shetland Islands,Be inspired and look forward to funny photos of chinstrap penguins moulting.

• 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 Islands • Halfmoon Island Facts • Halfmoon Island travel report

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 Islands • Halfmoon Island Facts • Halfmoon Island travel report

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