The sheer expanse of the Antarctic Peninsula means there’s always something new to discover, even for repeat visitors. Despite its proximity to South America, the thick pack ice of the nearby Weddell Sea makes this region inaccessible to many ships. 

Scenic’s Discovery Yachts are purpose-built to navigate this unique landscape. A Scenic Eclipse expedition cruise reveals the Weddell Sea’s breathtaking polar scenery, including giant tabular icebergs, ice shelves, and iconic wildlife.

The sight of the most famous Antarctic resident, the Emperor penguin, playing, swimming, and waddling in their natural habitat is a life-changing experience. At the start of the season, you may chance a sighting of a few penguins coming down to the coastline, but the best way to see them is by visiting Snow Hill Island.

Snow Hill Island is home to around 4,000 breeding pairs of Emperor penguins and their fluffy chicks. The tiny, snow-covered island is a breeding colony, one of only two of its kind in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Discovered in 1843 by British explorer James Clark Ross (of Ross Sea and Ross Ice Shelf fame), Snow Hill Island is known for its unusual blanket of snow, a stark contrast to the rockier islands with which it shares the Weddell Sea. 

Long before and since Ross’s arrival, Emperor penguins have gathered every March on Snow Hill Island to mate. Emperor penguins thrive in extreme sub-zero conditions and prefer a frosty surface for breeding and incubating their eggs. This, along with its remoteness, makes Snow Hill Island an ideal breeding ground for these beautiful birds. 

By November, the start of the Antarctic cruise season, the chicks are at their fluffiest and the sea ice has broken up enough for ships with helicopters to access Snow Hill Island for a look into this wondrous natural society.

On a Scenic Eclipse expedition cruise, guests have an exclusive opportunity to journey to this unique location for a front-row seat to this spectacular show. By taking one of the Discovery Yacht’s two helicopters, guests can experience a landing near Snow Hill Island. The custom-built Airbus H130’s are the quietest helicopters in the skies, minimizing their impact on the surrounding environment.

Upon landing, the specialist polar Discovery Team will lead you on a short hike through the snow to a perfect viewing spot for the majestic Emperors and their chicks.

Scenic Eclipse’s resident ornithologist provides deep insights into the behavior and ecology of Antarctica’s most iconic wildlife, while the dedicated crew ensures all IAATO and biosecurity protocols are followed.

This unforgettable journey lets you witness the awe-inspiring beauty of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, forging memories that will stay with you forever.

Join us for your opportunity to walk in the footsteps of explorers and enjoy a rare look into a seldom-seen world on one of our Antarctica voyages for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For your opportunity to experience the Snow Hill Island helicopter excursion, select an October or November departure on our Antarctica voyages below: