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In Search of Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea

See Emperor Penguins on Snow Hill Island, aboard Ponant's luxury Antarctic expedition with Le Commandant Charcot.

Witnessing emperor penguins in the wild is one of the most exhilarating travel experiences. The largest of all penguin species, an average emperor penguin stands about 45 inches tall - about the same height as a six-year-old child! These waddling goliaths reside in colonies across the remote Antarctic and can dive up to an impressive 1,850 feet underwater.
 

While most polar expeditions transport you to the Ross Sea for a chance of spotting these charismatic creatures in their natural habitat, there's another remote, seemingly unreachable spot, that's home to another colony of emperor penguins: Snow Hill. You can explore this lesser-known island for yourself on our luxury Antarctic expedition cruise with Ponant.
 

Read on to find out more about emperor penguins and how to see them while aboard Le Commandant Charcot:

All hail the Emperor!

The largest of the 18 penguin species, emperor penguins are also the hardiest, capable of living on the ice in temperatures as low as -50C. Elusive and secretive, their remoteness makes them challenging to study.
 

Breeding in areas along the seventh continent’s coastline far beyond the easily accessible western peninsula, where most expedition ships voyage, emperor penguins are rare to spot and have assumed a near mythical identity.
 

For lovers of nature and frozen wilderness, seeing one of these stately creatures is a wildlife holy grail.

Where is Snow Hill?

The Antarctic may be remote and seemingly inaccessible, but in the mid-1990s, the most northerly breeding colony of 10,000 emperor penguins was discovered at Snow Hill, an island on the east coast of the peninsula in the Weddell Sea.
 

Covered by a thick layer of sea ice year-round, this area is notoriously challenging to reach. Wild and unpredictable, the Weddell Sea has an ever-shifting seascape, often barricaded by a parade of tabular icebergs stretching into a foggy infinity.
 

Snow Hill has a rich and lengthy geological history; this Late Cretaceous Period island is 33km long and 12km wide, and was formed towards the end of the Mesozoic era, some 252 to 66 million years ago.

How do I get to Snow Hill?

Departing from Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina, Le Commandant Charcot effortlessly sails through the wind and waves of the Drake Passage, entering the southern seas, to the extreme and captivating Weddell Sea. Ice floes as far as the eye can see and gigantic tabular icebergs form the backdrop of the colonies of Adelie penguins that populate this wild expanse, ass the ship makes course towards Snow Hill Island.

Other ships covering this route can only venture so far in the ice and will complete the last leg of the journey by helicopter to reach the penguin colony. That's where Le Commandant Charcot comes into its own. This specialised ice-breaker vessel allows access to places off-limits to most ships.

The Weddell Sea is largely covered with a layer of thick, densely packed ice, and you'll sail into the heart of the ice floe among an alley of icebergs. This is the kingdom of the emperor penguin; unlike other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the ice floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle.

Following in the footsteps of great polar explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton, on our Snow Hill island tour you'll icebreak by ship, scouring the ice floes for signs of the largest penguin species, working with the elements to reach Snow Hill and, eventually, its emperor penguin colony, by foot from the shore.

More about Le Commandant Charcot

About Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot is the very first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas. This modern vessel has enough power to tackle the seemingly impassable Weddell Sea and is packed with high quality technology, measuring ice thickness in order to navigate the best route.
 

There are eight cabin types (all en-suite) providing luxurious comfort for 245 passengers, ranging from Stateroom cabins to the Owner's Suite. If you can pull yourself away from the ethereal views afforded by your private balcony, Le Commandant Charcot includes two restaurants and a bar, a wellness and fitness area (with an indoor swimming pool, sauna and snow room) and a well-appointed panoramic lounge.
 

With a discreet, luxurious style throughout, Le Commandant Charcot offers countless ways to unwind during sea days or after invigorating days of exploration.
 

Plus, there are naturalist guides on board, who passionately share the history of the surrounding gargantuan icebergs, including their birth in the heart of the immense Larsen Ice Shelf.

When's the best time to see emperor penguins at Snow Hill?

The emperor penguin colony on Snow Hill is located just south of the island. Snow Hill is best known for its large wildlife numbers and witnessing the emperor penguin colony is the main draw to the island. Other Antarctic wildlife also seen in this region include Orca, minke and humpback whales, and a variety of seals such as Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals.
 

For the highest chance of seeing emperor penguins, the best time to visit Snow Hill is October and November. In recent years, we have been lucky to see the Snow Hill island emperor penguin colony, but as with all ships to this region, we are especially at the mercy of weather and ice in this remote corner of Antarctica.

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Emperor penguins arrive on ice floes in March and April, before they pair off and begin their courtship. Between May and June, female penguins will lay one egg before they leave for around nine weeks to feed, while the male penguins stay put amid wild, icy temperatures and storms to incubate the eggs with their feathered feet.

During this time, male penguins lose almost half of their body weight, relying on their summer body fat to survive.
 

With nature, of course, there are never any guaranteed sightings. But simply being in these environments shares an insight into the world of a species seen by few but appreciated by many.

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Where else can I venture with Le Commandant Charcot?

Our 16-day Antarctic voyage to the Geographical North Pole is another life-changing wildlife experience. Perfect your photography skills as you take in the varied landscapes of Spitsbergen, spot polar bears, seals, whales and Antarctic wildlife, and watch as Le Commandant Charcot navigates through the sea ice.
 

Alternatively, be amongst the first people in the world on your Quest for the Two North Poles. This 21-day transarctic voyage sees you observe the Northern Lights on the Bering Strait, enjoy the wildlife-rich haven of Svalbard and - the true highlight of this trip - venture out in search of the Magnetic and Geographical North Poles.

Don't just travel, Explore!

Passionate about the Polar regions? Our expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica are nothing short of life-altering. In between learning about the world's most extreme points and spotting penguins, seals and polar bears, you'll travel in discreet, refined luxury. Contact us today to start planning your next unforgettable adventure.

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