Deception Island, Antarctica: scenic hike and polar plunge
Within the pristine frigid waters of Antarctica, Deception Island stands as a captivating testament to nature’s raw, untouched beauty. This volcanic caldera, with its dramatic landscapes and unique geological features, beckons adventurous travellers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sailing through the treacherous Neptune’s Bellows, visitors are greeted with awe-inspiring vistas that lead to a circular hike, allowing them to explore the island’s rich history and remarkable scenery. And for the boldest of explorers, a polar plunge into its ice-cold waters offers a chilling yet exhilarating finale to an unforgettable Deception Island visit.
Where is Deception Island?
Deception Island is a stunning island tucked away in the southern reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula. It lies approximately 100 kilometres off the northern tip of the continent and is a part of the South Shetland Islands archipelago. This remote location, accessible only by sea, adds an aura of exclusivity to any Antarctic expedition.
What truly sets Deception Island apart, though, are its captivating geological features. Formed by a volcanic caldera, the island showcases nature’s unrivalled artistry. The caldera has since become a unique natural harbour, allowing ships to enter its protective embrace through a narrow passage known as Neptune’s Bellows. This extraordinary formation creates a sheltered haven within the otherwise tumultuous waters of the Southern Ocean.
What is Caldera? A caldera is a large, bowl-shaped depression in the Earth’s surface that forms after a volcanic eruption.
Inside the caldera, we were treated to a breathtaking landscape that appeared to be plucked from a science fiction movie. Steep, ash-grey volcanic cliffs frame a desolate, otherworldly expanse of black sand beaches. The remnants of past eruptions are visible in the form of eerie, steam-emitting fumaroles and geothermal hot springs at Port Foster, where the contrast between the ice-cold surroundings and the warmth of the earth’s interior is truly astonishing.
Our visit
Date: Morning, 16 December 2022.
Conditions: Overcast, windy, but relatively mild (0 – 1°C).
What We Did:
- Hiked around the crater of the volcano
- Observed wildlife on the black ash beaches
- Braved the polar plunge
Notable Things We Saw:
- Sailed through the Neptune’s Bellows – the entrance into the caldera, with lots of seabirds nesting on the rocks.
- Seals lounging on the beaches.
- The remains of the whaling stations by the Whaler’s Bay.
- Beautiful volcanic landscapes.
What is Deception Island famous for?
Deception Island is renowned for several distinctive features that set it apart as a singular destination in Antarctica. Most notably, it is famous for its ongoing seismic activity, primarily attributed to the presence of an active volcano within its caldera. This volcanic activity not only shapes the island’s dramatic landscapes but also fuels its reputation as a geological marvel.
The island’s narrow entrance, known as Neptune’s Bellows, is another iconic element of Deception Island’s fame. This treacherous passage demands the utmost skill and precision from navigators, serving as a natural gateway that leads intrepid explorers into the heart of the caldera. The Bellows, with its stark contrast between the towering volcanic cliffs and the frigid Southern Ocean, offers an awe-inspiring introduction to the island’s natural wonders.
These days, Deception Island has gained recognition as a location of interest for seismic research. Scientists have established a seismic array here to monitor and study the geological activity. This research contributes to our understanding of the Earth’s inner workings and the dynamics of volcanic systems, making Deception Island not only a captivating travel destination but also a crucial hub for geological studies in the remote reaches of Antarctica.
A scenic hike from the landing site
There are a few different landing sites that cruise ships visit on the island. They include Whalers Bay, Telefon Bay, Pendulum Cove and Fumarole Bay. We visited the Deception Island volcano in December starting at Telefon Bay.
There were three different routes marked by the expedition team for us to follow: a strenuous circular walk around the crater, a steep but short hike to elevated grounds for magnificent views and a flat walk around the beaches, full of seals. We braved the long, but visually rewarding circular walk, and we were astonished by the beauty of this outlandish island.
The hike is not easy: there are lots of steep sections, the ground is soft and your boots keep sinking into the ash-grey sand, and the wind is relentless. But the views make up for the effort tenfold.
Jagged volcanic peaks and craggy ridgelines stretch out, showcasing the island’s tumultuous geological history. The surrealism of the scenery is punctuated by the stark remnants of past eruptions, with steam-emitting fumaroles and geothermal vents dotting the landscape.
Turning your attention towards the bay, you’re greeted by the serene beauty of Telefon Bay itself, a sheltered cove nestled within the island’s volcanic embrace. Its tranquil waters often mirror the grandeur of surrounding peaks, creating a breathtaking reflection.
Along the circular hike, you may encounter colonies of penguins as well as seabirds gracefully soaring above.
Perhaps the most captivating view is reserved for those who reach higher ground during the hike. Ascending to elevated vantage points, such as viewpoints on the island’s southern slopes, rewards adventurers with panoramic vistas of the entire caldera.
A short history of the island
Volcanic origins
Deception Island’s history is rooted in its volcanic origins. It is a caldera, formed through a series of volcanic eruptions. The island’s volcanic activity has been intermittent, with eruptions occurring over the centuries, with long periods of peace and quiet. The most significant recorded eruption took place in 1967, reshaping the landscape and prompting the evacuation of research stations.
Whaling era
In the early 20th century, Deception Island gained notoriety as a hub for whaling operations. Whalers set up stations on the island’s shores to process whale blubber into oil. Remnants of this grim chapter in Deception Island’s history, including decaying blubber ovens and rusted machinery, still stand as haunting relics today. The whaling industry eventually declined due to the depletion of whale populations, leaving behind an eerie reminder of the human impact on Antarctica’s ecosystems. The entire network of buildings was later temporarily used by the British Antarctic Survey for scientific research.
Modern scientific research
In recent decades, Deception Island has transformed into a focal point for scientific research in Antarctica. Its seismic activity, driven by the active volcano within the caldera, has attracted the attention of researchers studying the Earth’s crust and volcanic processes. A Spanish base and a station operated by the Argentine Antarctic Institute are operational during the austral summers to monitor and analyze the tremors and volcanic activity, contributing valuable insights into the region’s geology.
Ecological research
Moreover, Deception Island has become an essential site for ecological research. Following the grounding of the Norwegian Coastal Cruise Liner MS Nordkapp off the coast of Deception Island in January 2007, fuel from the ship was subsequently carried into a bay. Thankfully, in February of the same year, the Gabriel de Castilla research station set up by the Spanish Antarctic Program provided reassuring news, reporting that tests on the water and sand revealed no signs of oil contamination.
Furthermore, scientists study the island’s flora and fauna, including penguin colonies and other seabird populations. It, in turn, helps to better understand the effects of climate change and human activities in this remote part of Antarctica.
Wildlife on Deception Island
Deception Island is home to a surprising variety of wildlife. Exploring the island’s shores and surrounding waters offered us a chance to witness a range of fascinating creatures. Here are some of the wildlife species that can be spotted on Deception Island:
- Penguins. Several penguin species call Deception Island home, including almost 80,000 pairs of Chinstrap penguins. Gentoo penguins may also be spotted, with their striking orange beaks and white-feathered caps.
- Seals. Deception Island provides critical breeding and resting grounds for various seal species. Antarctic fur seals can be found basking on the beaches, while Weddell seals occasionally visit the island’s shores.
- Seabirds. The island’s coastal cliffs and rocky outcrops are frequented by a variety of seabirds. Species such as petrels, skuas, sheathbills, and gulls can be spotted circling overhead or nesting along the rugged terrain.
- Whales and Dolphins. While not as easily observed from the island itself, the surrounding waters of Deception Island are known for marine life. Depending on the season and location, visitors may be lucky enough to spot Minke whales, Orcas (killer whales), Humpback whales, and even various species of dolphins.
- Lichens and Mosses. While not wildlife in the traditional sense, Deception Island’s unique microclimates and volcanic soils support hardy lichen and moss species. These resilient plants play a vital role in the island’s fragile ecosystem.
Polar plunge experience
After a 1.5-hour long hike around the island, we were hot and dusty, and actually extremely excited to jump into the water. But it all changed as soon as we started taking the layers off and felt the cold wind on our skin.
Unlike some cruise ships, our polar plunge wasn’t quite “a plunge”. We didn’t just jump into the water, we actually had to muster up the courage to walk into the water. Whilst you can do it at your own pace, it is also very demanding on the will-power.
We were told to wear our swimwear underneath our clothes, then quickly take everything off and run into the water. There was a trained lifeguard wearing a dry suit in the water with us at all times.
A polar plunge is an undeniably exhilarating yet bone-chilling encounter with the raw power of nature. As you inch closer to the frigid waters of the Antarctic, your heart races with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. That moment of immersion, when your body gets enveloped in the shockingly cold embrace of the polar waters, is a heart-pounding, once-in-a-lifetime thrill that leaves you with an indelible sense of achievement and connection to the pristine wilderness of the Southern Ocean.
Afterwards, the expedition leaders advised us to simply put our waterproofs back on and catch a zodiac back to the ship. However, I was very glad I changed into dry clothes before going back to the ship. Especially on an extremely windy day that it was.
All in all, the polar plunge is an experience not to be missed – not only will it live in your memories for years to come, but our cruise line provided us with a certificate too!
Read next
Are you going on an Antarctic adventure? Here are some beautiful places we visited on the Highlights of Antarctica expedition cruise on board MS Fridtjof Nansen:
