20 Jan 2023

Snowy surrounds and Emperor Penguins abound in Coulman Island

Overnight, Heritage Adventurer made her way through the spectacular ice floes of Moubray Bay into relatively ice-free seas abreast of Cape Hallett headed for Coulman Island.

A morning call from the Bridge alerted us to a Minke Whale sighting forward of the ship. The weather was blowing from the south with some snow showers and colder temperatures creating a spectacular sight in the sunlight complete with large numbers of Snow Petrel to observe as we made our way through the increasingly dense sea ice in Glacier Strait, to the east of Coulman Island. 

A waddle of Emperor Penguins were identified ahead on the sea-ice and towards the Victoria Land coast and, after our expedition leaders had evaluated the surface snow conditions, we enjoyed the thrill of walking on the ice, distancing ourselves from the huddle of Emperors. 

In a true, bucket list moment we were rewarded when one of the Emperors approached to survey the intruders from a close distance.

Late in the evening we headed back to Heritage Adventurer as she started her return to the north of Coulman Island setting course for Terra Nova Bay.