In times gone by, huge valley glaciers have swept through the north-western edge of the Antarctic Peninsula, carving deep valley's and fjords. Since the end of the last ice age 20,000 years ago, rising sea levels filled these valley's have been flooded with sea water,creating steep-sided islands. Where valley's are narrow, beautiful channels, usually sheltered from wind provide unparalleled vista's.

Passage views
Wiencke Island, Neumayer Channel

The 25km long Neumayer Channel lies between Wiencke Island and Anvers Island at the southern end of the Palmer Archipelago. The Neumayer Channel narrows to 2.5km wide and steeply plunging glaciers from Anvers and Wiencke Island plunge into its dark waters. Mt Francais (2,760m) towers over the Neumayer Channel on a clear day.

Windswept sky above the southern end of Neumayer Channel
Neumayer Channel

At the southern exit to the Neumayer Channel, passengers can post letters at the only Antarctic post office in the old British Station, Port Lockroy. Letters are postmarked with an Antarctic stamp and sent out every few weeks on the next ship heading to the Falkland Islands. 2-3 people live there during the summer months and greet up to 10,000 passengers!

Tranquility
Lemaire Channel

The Lemaire Channel extends from False Cape Renard in the north to Cape Cloos in the south. However, it is famous for the spectacular 7km-long stretch between the steeply plunging rocky cliffs of Booth Island and the glaciated landscape of the Peninsula. Here, the Lemaire Channel at its narrowest is less than 800m wide.

Opening panorama
Lemaire Channel

About half way along the Lemaire Channel, a massive glacier has eroded the Peninsula, creating a large bay.

Mysterious reflections
Lemaire Channel

The Lemaire Channel can form the southern limit for most cruise ships. Shifting ice can block the route further south.

Moving sunset
Lemaire Channel

The southern half of the passage between the Peninsula and Booth Island is protected from wind, and the towering peaks and glaciers are reflected perfectly in the dark waters below.

Bottom of the channel
View of Lemaire Channel from Petermann Island

Just south of the Lemaire Channel lies a collection of small islands, including Pleneau and Petermann Islands. Broken up sea ice can drift in, making access to these islands difficult or impossible for cruise ships.