After navigating north all night from south of the Antarctic Circle we began our day in the Penola Strait region. Pléneau and the neighboring islands, Petermann and Booth, form a dynamic funnel of currents trapping massive icebergs making for a dramatic setting to explore. Landing on Pléneau we encountered our first gentoo penguin colony, bustling with chicks preparing to fledge and adults beginning their molt. Zodiacs cruised the waters amongst the icebergs, spotting crabeater seals, Antarctic fur seals, and many seabirds. After transiting the picturesque Lemaire Channel before lunch we would spend our afternoon visiting the restored and historic Base “A” at Port Lockroy. Our day concluded with an intimate encounter of type B2 killer whales in the fading light of Antarctic autumn.
2/28/2025
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Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.
