Saturday 1st February Sailing and Hiking into a Volcano

 

We were up early and ready to visit the observation lounge and deck by 6.45am. This was because we were to sail through the very narrow passage of Neptune’s Bellows and into a huge, protected area called Port Foster, with our ship stopping in Telefon Bay. Deception Island virtually surrounds this very sheltered the bay which is a volcanic crater. Volcanic mountains, craters, black sand, rocks and debris create a dramatic back-drop. The last eruptions encountered here, were in the 1960s. We took the zodiac to shore for an energetic hike in this volcanic landscape. The walk was longish and steep in sections but well worth the effort for the wonderful views. We did a loop walk which took us up high to the volcanic mountains and then back down to the black beach where we met our zodiac. Following lunch our ship moved out of Port Foster and back through Neptune’s Bellows and around to the outside of Deception Island to Baily Head, a prominent headland160 metres high. While travelling to this area and waiting to be called to board our zodiac, we watched the seas from our balcony. The water was teaming with hundreds of penguins. A sight I’d never seen before. Our zodiac excursion took us out into the ocean to observe the many “chin-strap” penguins in the seas and on the beach around Baily Head. This is one of the largest chin-strap penguin rookeries in Antarctica. The volcanic headland was very spectacular too. This was our last zodiac experience and a wonderful way to complete our four days in Antarctica.