Half Moon Island Antarctica South Shetlands, Camara Base Argentina
Antarctica
5
Cruises availables
At departure or passage at this port
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a slim crescent of dark rock two kilometres long, tucked between Livingston and Greenwich islands in the South Shetlands. There is no pier : zodiacs land passengers in small groups on a beach of shingle and volcanic sand.
Chinstrap penguins, recognizable by the thin black line under the chin. Several thousand pairs nest on the rocky ridges, climbing and descending the slopes without pause. You hear them before the zodiac even touches the shingle.
Five metres distance from wildlife, marked paths set by the guides, boots disinfected before and after each outing, pockets emptied. Nothing is left behind and nothing is taken, not even a pebble.
A track worn by the birds between the colony and the sea. Guides mark them out ashore, and people always give way : that is the rule, even when the line stretches on.
Skuas patrolling the colony for eggs and chicks, kelp gulls and terns brooding in the hollows, Weddell seals and fur seals hauled out on the beaches. Offshore, a humpback's blow sometimes punctuates the zodiac ride.
No. The expedition team assesses sea and ice conditions every morning. Nothing is ever guaranteed at these latitudes, and that uncertainty is part of the trip.
Yes, Cámara Base, an Argentine navy refuge open some summers. Its low key buildings are a reminder of the continent's scientific side.
An old wooden boat aground on the shore, slowly returning to the elements, which you pass depending on the landing site. It is the only old human trace on the beach.
Boots, parka and walking poles are generally issued on board. You provide three layers underneath, gloves and eye protection : the wind here cannot be described, only endured.
The glaciated peaks of Livingston Island close the horizon in a white wall, with glaciers running down to the sea. Antarctic light reworks the scene hour by hour, from steel grey to bursts of turquoise.
