11 Feb 2025

Crossing the Antarctic Circle at the Balleny Islands

Today, we woke to find ourselves at the Balleny Islands, steep, rugged, and clothed in snow and ice—harsh but beautiful. A large pod of Orcas passed close by, and over the next few hours, we observed many groups of Humpback Whales. At times, their blows seemed to surround Heritage Adventurer—a magical experience.

During the morning, we crossed the Antarctic Circle. As our horn sounded, many adventurers marked the occasion by plunging into the swimming pool, filled with ice-cold seawater! That was soon followed by warming up in the jacuzzi and sauna. What a fun but significant event.

The Balleny Islands are remote and fully exposed to the Antarctic elements, so rarely is there an opportunity to get close, but today we were in luck. Conditions allowed us to explore by Zodiac. With jaw-dropping cliffs from which hung giant icicles and a towering sea stack, they seemed almost like mythical worlds. Though harsh, they’re home to Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, with Weddell Seals resting on the few stony beaches. It was a privilege to explore such a special place on our In The Wake of Scott and Shackleton expedition.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions