Seven Sublime Antarctic Bays

by Oceanwide Expeditions Blog

It’s pretty well known that Antarctica is very well known for its glaciers, icebergs, and panoramic colonies of penguins.

Regions: Antarctica

Antarctica’s seven most scenic bays

It’s pretty well known that Antarctica is very well known for its glaciers, icebergs, and panoramic colonies of penguins. But less obvious is the fact that the Great White Continent is positively peppered with beautiful crystal-clear bays, many of which we visit on our exploratory Antarctica cruise routes.

Whether they’re found in the Ross Sea, Weddell Sea, or punctuating the prototypically polar coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula, these beautiful Antarctic bays form a centerpiece of our deep Southern Hemisphere sailing program.

Here in totally unbiased alphabetical order are seven of these one-of-a-kind bays. Some we sail into, some we drop anchor in, some we simply see from a distance, but all are indispensable to the ideal Antarctic experience.

1. Dallmann Bay

Keep a close lookout for humpback whales in this quintessential Antarctic bay. Situated between Anvers Island and Brabant Island, Dallmann Bay was discovered in 1874 by a German whaler, Captain Eduard Dallmann. Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who led the French Antarctic Expedition of 1903 – 05, later charted the bay.

2. Duse Bay

We sometimes see this wonderful Antarctic bay on our Weddell Sea helicopter trips, which focus on sightings of the emperor penguin. If the weather cooperates, our helicopters will deposit you on a rocky hillock close to an old refuge hut overlooking Duse Bay. From there we like to take walks along the lichen-covered terrain.

3. Hanusse Bay

This Antarctic bay not only affords you a fine view of scattered icebergs, but also a good chance of spotting whales. It is located between the northern Arrowsmith Peninsula and Adelaide Island, and was discovered by Charcot during the French Antarctic Expedition of 1908 – 10.

4. Marguerite Bay

Found on the western Antarctic Peninsula, Marguerite Bay is yet another eye-popping discovery of Charcot’s. In fact, he named this expansive Antarctic bay after his wife. Horseshoe Island, Pourquoi Pas Island, and Lagotellerie Island lie within Marguerite Bay.  

5. Paradise Bay

Arguably the most visually stunning bay in all Antarctica, Paradise Bay (also known as Paradise Harbor) is a good place to spot humpbacks and minke whales. We shoot for this stellar bay on multiple Antarctic voyages, endeavoring to take our Zodiacs through its brilliant blue waters while enjoying the dazzling display of ice formations around us.

6. Whalers Bay

This famed Antarctic bay is a designated Historic Site or Monument (HSM 71) due to the remnants of the past century’s whaling industry found there. Wooden boats, abandoned houses, and bleached whale bones speak of the not-so-peaceful side of Antarctic history.

7. Wilhelmina Bay

Another winning place to watch for humpback whales, this Antarctic bay is likewise a fine spot for Zodiac cruising. You may even see the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire there in 1915. Though the bay was named for the queen of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948, Wilhelmina Bay is nicknamed “Whale-mina Bay” due to its abundance of humpback whales.

Related cruises

Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula
Up to $5950 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula

This far-ranging expedition voyage sails the breadth of the Atlantic, visiting several of the remotest islands in the world!

HDS31-24 The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

28 Mar - 20 Apr, 2024

Berths start from:

4250 USD

St. Helena to Cape Verde
Up to $650 OFF

St. Helena to Cape Verde

Witness the northbound spring migration

HDS32-24 During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

20 Apr - 30 Apr, 2024

Berths start from:

2150 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species!

PLA20-24 A cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least 6 species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

18 Oct - 7 Nov, 2024

Berths start from:

13350 USD

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, photo workshop, mountaineering

The best activity voyage in Antarctica

HDS21a24 The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

1 Nov - 13 Nov, 2024

Berths start from:

8800 USD

Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters

Searching for the Elusive Emperor Penguins

OTL22-24 A true expedition, our Weddell Sea cruise sets out to explore the range of the Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill Island. We will visit the area via helicopter and see a variety of other birds and penguins including Adélies and Gentoos.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

10 Nov - 20 Nov, 2024

Berths start from:

12100 USD

Loading