Oceanwide Expeditions returns to emperor colony on Snow Hill Island

Prior to this, Oceanwide Expeditions’ last landing on Snow Hill was in November 2023 where passengers had the rare opportunity to observe the animals and their young in their natural habitat. 

Earlier landings were made by the operator in 2018 and 2017. 

The remote site was reached via helicopter from Ortelius, landing a safe distance from the colony from where passengers could hike in for views of the penguins, chicks, and wild landscapes.

Snow Hill Island

Snow Hill Island, located off the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, is 33 km wide and 12 km long with icy peaks reaching 984 ft. Today, it is home to approximately 10,000 penguins. 

It is typically surrounded by impassable pack ice and notoriously difficult to reach.