How to See Emperor Penguins

Icebreaking Expeditions to Snow Hill Island

Here is a rare opportunity to observe one of the most spectacular sights in the wild: an Emperor penguin colony. Journey aboard the a Polar 6-class ship, past thick, tabular icebergs to the ice-bound Weddell Sea. This exclusive Antarctic adventure is your chance to be a part of polar history! Imagine flying in a helicopter to the vicinity of this astounding rookery, then walking across the sea ice to come within several feet of chicks so young they’re huddling with their parents.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience like no other, like a wildlife documentary come to life! In fact, when the BBC and Discovery Channel decided to produce Frozen Planet, the sequel to their popular Planet Earth TV series, the filmmakers turned to this very same voyage Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island Safaris aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov. This elusive Emperor penguin colony was not confirmed until 1997. 

Ships to reach Snow Hill must be equipped with onboard helicopters that will fly you to the vicinity of the rarely-visited emperor penguin rookery deep in Antarctica's Weddell Sea. Walk across the thick sea ice to stand within metres of the most coveted penguin species on the planet. Onboard experts will conduct educational and informative presentations about such things as the Emperor penguins’ biology, unique habitat and adaptive behaviour.

These exclusive departures are only in November and early December and approach remote Snow Hill Island when the emperor colonies are still active on the floating fast ice. The ship employs helicopters to fly in to the vicinity of this astounding rookery. Experience thousands of pairs of Emperor penguins, including chicks, in their natural habitat. It is possible to see a few chicks brooding on their parents’ feet or even several huddling together in large communal groups. It’s possible you may catch the impressive sight of a constant trail of adults walking or tobogganing in single file from the sea to the rookery to feed the chicks, and then heading back out again to hunt for more food.

Early reservations for these exclusive expeditions are essential! See the links below for individual itineraries and more detailed information and prices.