Cruises from Paradise Harbor

Paradise Harbour is considered Antarctica’s most beautiful location. It is one of the best places for watching glacial calving. This describes the moment when a large block of ice breaks off from a glacier and crashes into the sea to form an iceberg. Even when this spectacular event is not occurring, the area is one of outstanding beauty with its surrounding glaciers and snow covered peaks reflected in the water. Sunset at Paradise Harbour is a wonderful sight to behold. During the summer the sun does not actually set, but as it gets lower in the sky it lights up the snow covered glaciers to create a truly beautiful scene. Visitors can explore the harbour in a small inflatable rubber raft known as a Zodiac. Powered by an outboard motor and able to seat up to a dozen passengers, it is perfect for viewing the glaciers from a low-lying perspective. They also enable visitors to get to places that the cruise ships cannot go. Besides the Zodiac visitors can also tour the harbour in a kayak.

Other attractions are the Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, both of which have colonies in this area. There are two research stations at the harbour, one operated by Argentina and the other by Chile. Landings are not always made, but for many visitors this is their only opportunity to set foot on mainland Antarctica.

Visitors should be on the lookout for Weddell Seals. Their small heads and whiskered faces make them one of the most attractive of the Antarctica seals. Most of the time the seals spend their time in the Antarctic waters several metres below the ice. The only time that they emerge is to rest, breathe and give birth to their pups. The best time to see them is in September and October when the pups are born. It is a good idea to take binoculars with you for viewing the wildlife. Other animals to look out for are terns, petrels, cormorants, whales and penguins. The Gerlache Strait is a good place for watching Antarctic Humpback Whales and they will often come quite close to the ships.

If you are lucky you may get an opportunity to visit a research station. Visits are not always possible because it depends on the level of tourist traffic and on how accommodating the staff of the base chooses to be. However, if you do get the chance it will give you a new insight into the area. You may get taken to places that tourists generally don’t get to visit by someone who knows the area very well.

If you are intending to cruise Antarctica; which is the best way of seeing the area, then it is a good idea to book well ahead of time. These cruises are growing in popularity. Also try to book with a cruise ship that carries a limited number of passengers, around 100, since in some places only a limited number of people are allowed ashore at any one time.