Antarctica South Shetland Islands

  • Penguins in the South Shetland Islands
  • Deception Island
  • Crab Eater Seal
  • Chinstrap Penguin
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You’ll spot an abundance of whales, seals, penguins and seabirds from the chain of rugged black rocks and glaciated islands hugging the Antarctic Peninsula.

Overview

The South Shetlands are a rugged, heavily-glaciated chain of four island groups and dozens of islets hugging the Antarctic Peninsula, providing a sheltered sea passage defined by towers of black rock. Names evoke the experiences and imagination of the early explorers – Deception and Desolation Islands, the Watchtower, and Elephant Island, where Shackleton’s expedition was stranded for 135 days.

Highlights of visits include chinstrap, gentoo, macaroni and Adélie penguins; giant petrels, Wilson’s and black-bellied storm petrels, brown and south polar skuas, Cape pigeons, Antarctic terns, blue-eyed shags, Dominican gulls, elephant, fur, leopard and crab-eater seals; humpback, minke and orca (killer whales) offshore.

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Visit the untamed wilderness of the South Shetland Islands on an expedition cruise with Journey Latin America.

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Where to go when - our guide to South Shetland Islands

Deception Island

The weather in South Shetland Islands is wide and varied

You’ll spot an abundance of wildlife from the chain of rugged black rocks and glaciated islands hugging the Antarctic Peninsula. Chinstrap, gentoo, macaroni and Adélie penguins make their nests here in November, with chicks hatching from December and fledging in February. Elephant, fur, leopard and crab-eater seals also raise their young here, with pups appearing in December. Off-shore you’ll spot humpback, minke and orca (killer) whales, particularly later in the season February - Machr. January is the warmest month, reaching 1.5°C.

View our South Shetland Islands weather guide

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