Neko Harbour
Neko Harbour is a small bay in the larger Andvord Bay. A pleasant landing beach on the Antarctic Continent, Neko Harbour is bordered on one side by giant glaciers vaulting out of the sea.
Neko Harbour Trivia:
- The whaling ship and floating factory, Neko, is where the location got its name. The vessel was based here from 1911―24
- The bay was discovered by the above-mentioned Belgian polar explorer de Gerlache, who explored this area during his 1897―99 expedition
- Gentoo penguins breed on the hill above the beach, and Weddell seals and fur seals often haul out here too
- The glacier behind Neko Harbour is full of life, frequently calving large chunks that splash thunderously into the bay. But beware―the falling ice tends to create dangerous flood waves that can reach the landing beach in less than a minute
- The landing at Neko Harbour is known as a continental landing, as it is connected to the Antarctic Peninsula itself
- Whales often frequent the bay, minkes and humpbacks being the most common
- Skua birds roost on the rocky outcroppings above the landing beach. But steer clear of their nests, because skuas defend them ferociously and may dive-bomb you from behind
