Inclement weather prevented Oceanwide flying to Snow Hill Island until last week - the first time it made the attempt in three years. Located in a particularly hostile area usually ice-locked and inaccessible even to ice-strengthened vessels, access was achieved via the ship’s helicopters.
Oceanwide's last successful visit to the island was in 2019, with earlier landings made in 2018 and 2017.
Emperor penguin colony
Many of the 2,000 emperor penguins found on Snow Hill approached the ship’s passengers, who were kept at an appropriate distance from the sea birds. The helicopters also touched down at a distance suitable to prevent disturbence for the animals.
Each passenger was able to spend an hour and a half near the rookery, situated in a cluster of other Weddell Sea islands east of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Emperors are the only penguin species to breed during the Antarctic winter, and with the season drawing to a close, passengers were given the unique opportunity to observe their chicks.
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