Walk among tens of thousands of nesting Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins on a monitored Antarctic beach within sight of Schollaert Channel. Under IAATO guidelines, penguins approach curious visitors freely — a wildlife encounter that redefines the word 'close'.
What to expect
A Zodiac ferries your small group to a black-pebble beach alive with the cacophonous squabbling of a breeding colony. Guides establish respectful 5-metre viewing positions, but penguins — notoriously unafraid of humans — routinely waddle over to inspect boots and trekking poles. The biologist narrates courtship rituals, nest-building behaviours, and inter-species dynamics in real time. You'll spend 90 minutes immersed in the colony before a quiet Zodiac return across mirror-flat Antarctic water.
Good to know
IAATO regulations cap total simultaneous shore visitors; spaces on each Zodiac landing are strictly limited and allocated by expedition booking order. Biosecurity boot wash mandatory before and after landing. Avoid applying perfume or strong-scented products on landing days — penguins react to scent. Waterproof trousers essential; penguin colonies are notoriously muddy.