Lemaire Channel

Where glaciers meet the sea

Lemaire Channel — A narrow passage of dramatic ice and stone

✦Chat with AI about Lemaire Channel

Lemaire Channel Cruise Scenic channel

Navigate through towering ice cliffs and icebergs between the Antarctic Peninsula and Booth Island.

Best time: Nov–Feb — Sea ice melts enough for safe passage, and low light reveals stunning icebergs and glacial formations.

Things to do:

• Navigate scenic ice-choked waters
• Photograph dramatic glacier scenery
• Spot icebergs of all sizes
• Observe seabird activity

Petermann Island Wildlife colony

Observe gentoo and Adélie penguins nesting on this scenic Antarctic island surrounded by icebergs.

Best time: Dec–Feb — Peak penguin breeding season with chicks hatching and abundant wildlife activity.

Things to do:

• Land on historic explorer island
• Visit abandoned research huts
• Photograph Adelie penguin colonies
• Explore island hiking trails

Pléneau Island Marine mammals

Spot leopard seals and an 'iceberg graveyard' of grounded, sculpted ice at this wildlife-rich landing site.

Best time: Nov–Jan — Seals are most active during early summer when hunting is optimal around ice floes.

Things to do:

• Climb to island summit views
• Photograph surrounding icebergs
• Observe penguin rookeries
• Study glacial landscape

Palmer Station Research base

Visit the southernmost U.S. research facility to learn about Antarctic climate and marine science.

Best time: Nov–Feb — The station's summer schedule aligns with expedition visits and reduced sea ice.

Things to do:

• Tour active research facility
• Learn climate research projects
• Photograph station facilities
• Talk with resident scientists

Lemaire Channel Ice Formations Viewpoint

Towering glaciers, icebergs, and pristine pack ice creating dramatic Antarctic scenery.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Most picturesque Antarctica passage with spectacular ice architecture and wildlife.

Things to do:

• Photograph dramatic iceberg sculptures
• Spot leopard seals hunting among floes
• Cruise through stunning polar landscape

From the notebook

We slipped through the channel at dawn, the ship's engines cut to a murmur so the guides could listen for calving ice. Black cliffs rose on either side, close enough to touch with a long oar. Nobody spoke. I remember thinking my own breathing sounded too loud for a place this narrow and this old.

Arriving

• Fly into USH · Ushuaia, Argentina — Board the expedition ship in Ushuaia; sail south to the channel.
• SIM Buy an Argentine SIM/eSIM before departure; no signal at sea or ashore.
• Money Carry Argentine pesos and USD; onboard costs are prepaid.