Livingston Island

Glaciated peaks and mixed penguin colonies

Curated by Vinod Kumar Jain & Amit Jain · All Frontier Global · free, no login · reviewed 2026-07-05

The journal

Snow began falling sideways just as we reached the colony, and the penguins seemed entirely unbothered, tucked low against a wind that had my hands numb inside two glove layers. Our guide pointed out a leopard seal patrolling offshore, a dark shape cutting slow figures through water the color of gunmetal.

Things to do

Hannah Point · Wildlife colony

Rich landing with chinstrap and gentoo penguins, plus a few macaronis. Best: Nov–Feb

Walker Bay · Beach

Volcanic beach of eroded rock formations and lounging elephant seals. Best: Nov–Mar

Juan Carlos I Station · Research base

Spanish summer research station beneath the island's ice-capped mountains. Best: Dec–Feb

Byers Peninsula · Wildlife colony

Protected ice-free peninsula rich in wildlife and archaeological relics. Best: Nov–Feb

Deception Island · Viewpoint

Active volcanic geothermal site near Livingston Island in South Shetlands. Best: Nov–Feb

Arrival

Airport

Ushuaia, Argentina (USH) — Board in Ushuaia; cross the Drake Passage to the South Shetlands.

SIM / data

Argentine SIM/eSIM before departure; no signal at sea.

Money on arrival

Carry pesos and USD; onboard costs are prepaid.

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