A Virtual Voyage to Antarctica

Antarctica is the most beautiful place in the world. I’m convinced that the only reason it is not on any of the many lists of World Wonders or Natural Wonders of the World is that most people have not seen it. It is one of the hardest places in the world to visit, based on its remoteness and the expense involved. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to go, this is my attempt to take you on a virtual voyage to Antarctica. Disclaimer:  my photos don’t do this spectacular wilderness justice.

#1 Blue Skies and Reflections

After 2 days at sea on the dreaded Drake Passage, seeing Antarctica for the first time took my breath away.

 

#2 Thousands of Penguins On Surprisingly Green Terrain

Our first stop was just north of the Antarctic Peninsula on Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands. The green seen here comes from moss and lichen. There are also 8000 breeding pairs of Chinstrap Penguins.

#3 Craggy Glaciers and Phosphorescent Blue Icebergs

Apparently, the underwater portion of icebergs are 2-3 times bigger than the part we see. The colors that emanate from the depths are surreal!

#4 Views That Make You Feel Small

You can see from the size of the large ship which looks tiny relative to the gigantic landscapes that everything is massive here! This was Cuverville Island where we hiked to the top of a huge ice mountain and were rewarded with this astonishing view.

#5 Grey Skies Have Never Been So Stunning

It doesn’t matter what the weather is, Antarctica is a stunner.

#6 Penguin Beach

Arriving on Cuverville Island was a treat. A whole colony of Gentoo penguins with hungry chicks was there to entertain us.

#7 Other-Wordly Sunsets over Massive Icy Mountains

This sunset in the Gerlache Straight was one of many beautiful ones we enjoyed.

#8 Postcard Perfection

Arriving in Neko Harbor on a perfectly clear and calm day made me feel as if I was transported into the “Voyage to Antarctica” brochure.

#9 50 Shades of Blue

Not two icebergs are the same. They come in many textures, shapes and colors and all exceptionally beautiful.

#10 Seals Snoozing on Sea Ice

On this voyage to Antarctica, we crossed the Antarctic Circle. While here we cruised in zodiacs and enjoyed seeing many seals lounging on floating sea ice.

#11 Mirror Image Perfection

The calm glassy water and the crystalline ice brash mesmerized me.

#12  The Landscapes are Overwhelming

This is Horseshoe Bay, and you can see the tiny zodiac on the left side of the photo to give you an idea of the scale.

#13 Can’t Get Enough of These Incredible Icebergs

I have a zillion iceberg photos. No joke.

#14 Alien-Like Colors Come from the Depths of FLoating Ice

Even with grey skies and grey water, these iridescent deep blue-greens pop.

#15 Icebergs Again (I’m Obsessed)

Yet another “blue-tiful” iceberg.

Read More:  How to Plan a Trip to Antarctica

#16 An Icy Beach

This was on Stonington Island, home of two old bases. I was kind of obsessed with the icy rocky terrain.

#17 Remote Hard to Reach Places

A place that most ships don’t get to visit, Red Rock Canyon was one of my favorite stops.

#18  The Celebrities of Antarctica

A furry Gentoo penguin chick waits for its parents to bring some food.

#19 Perpetually Grouchy But Cute Fur Seals

Fur seals don’t really want company and we need to keep our distance…they bark loudly to remind us!

#20 Molting Penguins with Funny Feather Patterns

Penguin chicks have to shed their down fur before their waterproof “swimming feathers” are ready and only then can they leave for the winter and swim north. This is an Adelie Penguin

#21 Sensational Sunrises

I am not a morning person, but this was worth waking up for!

#22 Being Stalked by a Leopard Seal While Kayaking

Kayaking in Antarctica is slightly terrifying but lets you get some intimate experiences with wildlife such as this one.

#23 Our Photogenic Ship

Cruising in Zodiacs is great fun and great for photography

#24  Gentoo Penguin Feeding It’s Chick

I could watch the penguins all day. They are tough, adorable and feisty.

#25  Stonington Island

The abandoned British and American bases here are like time capsules, everything as it was decades ago.

#26 Red Rock Canyon

This was one of my favorite stops because we got to hike up to an incredible view AND there were penguins here. What more could one want? Also, this photo shows the scale. You can hardly even see the ship in the water.

#27 A Pod of Orcas

Forgive the grainy photo…they were far and my zoom wasn’t enough but there were so many of them and chasing a poor little seal. Just happy I saw them.

#28 Humpback Whales are Everywhere

#29  Kayaking in Antarctica

What an adventure. Nothing quite compares to this!

#30 Sunsets are Religious Experiences

What better way to end a voyage to Antarctica than to be treated to this light show.

Hope you enjoyed this voyage to Antarctica via photos! If you want to see more I have a little video you may enjoy. Just click this YouTube link.

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