The Balleny Islands are an extremely remote series of islands extending
for about 160 kilometres in a northwest-southeast direction straddling
the Antarctic Circle some 270 kilometres north of the Antarctic mainland.
The volcanic islands are heavily glaciated and have received few human
visitors since their discovery in 1839. Their isolated location within the rich
waters of the Southern Ocean has resulted in a species diversity rivalling
the entire Ross Sea region. Humpback, fin and minke whales are regular
visitors to the rich feeding grounds along with Crabeater, Weddell,
elephant and leopard seals. Several of the islands are home to significant
colonies of Adélie and Chinstrap penguins. If time and weather permit,
you will have the opportunity to explore the spectacular coastal
environments and view the prolific wildlife from our fleet of Zodiac.
