SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS The South Shetland Islands are a long chain of islands that are primarily mountainous and more than 80% glaciated. The islands are home to marine mammals including species of crabeater seal, leopard seal, humpback whale, and the southern right whale, as the Southern Ocean contains the greatest quantity of animal protein on earth.

SOUTH GEORGIA South Georgia is breathtakingly beautiful and not easily forgotten. Huge glaciers, ice caps and snow fields cover around 75% of the island in its summer, while in winter the snow blanket stretches down to the coast. South Georgia is surrounded by many offshore rocks and small islands that provide homes for breeding birds and mammals.

DECEPTION ISLAND Deception Island is an active volcano in the South Shetland Islands, off the Antarctica Peninsula. Its unique landscape comprises barren volcanic slopes, steaming beaches and ash-layered glaciers. Deception Island was an old whaler’s station and giant rusting barrels used to boil whale fat and decaying whale bones is all that is left today.

LEMAIRE CHANNEL Lemaire Channel is one of Antarctica’s most popular destinations, found between rocky Booth Island and the mountainous western coast of the Antarctica Peninsula. The Lemaire Channel is a spectacular sight with enormous sheer cliffs falling straight into the sea. Orcas and humpback whales often accompany ships as they make their way through some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.