Emperor penguin
Discover Emperor penguins: their extraordinary winter breeding, biology, survival secrets, and where to see them on specialised Antarctic expedition cruises.
Emperor Penguins — Antarctica’s True Royals of the Ice
Graceful, resilient, and utterly iconic, Emperor Penguins are the largest, heaviest, and arguably most extraordinary penguins on the planet. They are the only penguins that breed during the Antarctic winter, enduring months of darkness, fierce katabatic winds, and temperatures that routinely plummet below –40°C. Their survival strategies push the limits of what any bird — or any creature, for that matter — can endure.
Unlike the more sociable penguins found along the Antarctic Peninsula, Emperors live far out on the pack ice, deep within the frozen surrounds of the continent. This makes them harder to visit, but encountering a colony in the wild is one of the rarest and most spectacular wildlife experiences on Earth.
⭐ What Is an Emperor Penguin?
The Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest of all penguins and one of the most uniquely adapted animals on Earth.
They are known for:
-
Their towering stature compared to other penguins
-
Sleek black backs and heads contrasted with white bellies
-
Soft yellow-orange patches around the neck and ears
-
Thick layers of feathers and fat designed for extreme cold
Everything about them — from their physiology to their behaviour — is engineered for life on the most inhospitable continent on the planet.
❄️ Where They Live, Breed & When to See Them
Emperor Penguins live in remote areas of Antarctica’s continental and pack-ice regions, far from the rocky shorelines preferred by most other penguin species.
???? Best locations for travellers
The most accessible site for wildlife enthusiasts is:
-
Snow Hill Island, in the Weddell Sea, off the eastern Antarctic Peninsula
This colony is famous because it is one of the few Emperor Penguin colonies reachable by specialised expedition ships, often supported by helicopters to land visitors safely on the sea ice.
????️ Best time to see Emperor Penguins
-
Late October through November and into very early December
This period offers the best chance to access Emperor Penguin colonies, as sea ice begins to loosen enough for ships to approach, and colonies may include chicks or juveniles.
Because Emperor Penguins breed exclusively on sea ice, reaching them requires ideal weather, stable ice conditions, an ice-strengthened vessel, and an itinerary flexible enough to adapt to ever-changing conditions.
???? Life Cycle, Behaviour & Survival Strategies
The Emperor Penguin’s life cycle is one of the most extraordinary in the natural world.
-
They breed in mid-winter, when Antarctica is at its darkest and coldest.
-
Males take on incubation duty, balancing a single egg on their feet beneath a protective brood pouch.
-
During this time, males may withstand weeks of fasting, losing nearly half their body weight while protecting the egg.
-
To survive the extreme cold, tens of thousands of Emperors form communal huddles, rotating positions so each bird periodically gets relief from the outer edge.
-
Once chicks hatch, females return from foraging and parents alternate feeding duties until the young are strong enough to survive.
The Emperor Penguin’s entire existence — from migration to breeding to chick rearing — is tied to the rhythm and stability of Antarctic sea ice.
???? Where to See Emperor Penguins on Expedition Cruises
Seeing Emperor Penguins in the wild is a privilege achieved only by a small number of Antarctic visitors.
Travellers most commonly encounter them on:
???? Helicopter-assisted Weddell Sea expeditions
These specialised voyages aim to reach the Snow Hill Island colony, using helicopters to safely land guests on stable sea ice.
???? Icebreaker or ice-strengthened ship journeys
Ships capable of navigating dense pack ice offer the greatest chance of approaching remote Emperor Penguin habitats.
Optimal viewing window
Late October to early November, when:
-
Ice conditions may allow safe landings
-
The colony includes adults with chicks
-
Weather and visibility are often more stable
Reaching a wild Emperor Penguin colony often feels like entering a living documentary — vast ice floes stretching to the horizon, haunting winds, and a regal gathering of birds standing in the glow of the rising Antarctic sun.
???? A Humorous Penguin’s-Eye Perspective
Imagine spending your winter standing on ice in complete darkness, balancing an egg on your feet, losing half your body weight, and relying on your neighbours to keep warm. Meanwhile your partner is out at sea hunting fish and hopefully returning before your chick hatches.
Now imagine doing this every year. Congratulations — you’re an Emperor Penguin. Royal, resilient, slightly ridiculous… and absolutely magnificent.
Following are some links to expedition cruises where you may see Emperor Penguins...
Expeditions Online Newsletter
Sign up to be an Expeditions Online insider and receive info on exclusive deals, discounts and more!