Antarctic Sound

A channel at the northeastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Sound connects the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea

Antarctic Sound

Region: Antarctica

Destinations: Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Sound dimensions and namesake

Antarctic Sound is about 60 km long (37 miles) and less than 15 km wide (9 miles) at its narrowest part. Though logic suggests it was named for the location, it was in fact named after the vessel Otto Nordenskiöld used during his Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901 – 1904.

Iceberg Alley or Antarctic Sound

Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as it is sometimes blocked by enormous tabular icebergs that bottleneck ship traffic to the Weddell Sea. These icebergs break off from the Ronne, Larsen, and Filchner ice shelves at the Weddell Sea’s southern edges. Antarctic Sound is a wild place, its cathedral-like icebergs and glaciated mountains of Trinity Peninsula imparting a distinct appearance unlike that of the northwestern Antarctic Peninsula.

Antarctic Sound’s impressive animal life

The wildlife of Antarctic Sound is as rich as the landscape. Whales often frequent the sound, and at several locations along the coast sizable penguin rookeries can be seen. Antarctic Sound even houses one of the largest Adélie penguin colonies in Antarctica, located at Hope Bay. The rookery contains about 125,000 breeding pairs, but access to it is restricted.

The Argentine settlement of Antarctic Sound

A large Argentine settlement and research station, Esperanza, is located at Hope Bay. About 80 people, including some families with children, live here in the settlement’s 40-odd buildings. It was at Esperanza that Antarctica’s first human resident was born, in 1978. Another nearby site, Brown Bluff, affords us frequent landings on the Antarctic continent.

Related cruises

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Up to $11350 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species

HDS26-25 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

4 Jan - 22 Jan, 2025

Berths start from:

9450 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Up to $9050 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species

PLA27-25 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

16 Jan - 3 Feb, 2025

Berths start from:

9450 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Up to $7600 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species

HDS28-25 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

1 Feb - 20 Feb, 2025

Berths start from:

9450 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle

Meet at least six penguin species

HDS29-25 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

20 Feb - 14 Mar, 2025

Berths start from:

16700 USD

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

Searching for the elusive Emperor penguins

OTL22-25 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:

11 Nov - 21 Nov, 2025

Berths start from:

12900 USD

Loading