Morning Excursion: Yankee Harbour
Our morning began with an 8:15 a.m. Zodiac landing at Yankee Harbour, where we went ashore to observe a large Gentoo penguin colony. The landing was guided by a naturalist who explained how Gentoos are adapted to this harsh environment and walked us through their nesting behavior and colony dynamics. After about an hour of guided exploration, we were given time to roam independently. During that window, we spotted an elephant seal out near the beach—clearly exhausted, largely indifferent to the surrounding penguins, and perfectly content to sleep while they walked by.
Afternoon Excursion: Half Moon
By mid-afternoon, around 3:00 p.m., we headed out for another shore landing. From a distance, we spotted both an elephant seal and a Weddell seal resting along the shoreline. Everywhere else we looked was covered by chinstrap penguins. They were busy climbing up and sliding down the icy hillside. Surprisingly, the conditions were almost comfortable. With full sun, minimal wind, and temperatures hovering around 35°F, the afternoon felt warm enough that I shed my parka and hat before overheating in my base layers. Days like this are a reminder that even in Antarctica, sunscreen earns its place—something that feels mildly absurd until you feel the sun beating down on you at the bottom of the world.
