The emperor penguin is the largest penguin and the only one that breeds on sea ice during the Antarctic winter. Its colonies are remote and usually surrounded by thick ice, far from the Antarctic Peninsula’s usual tourist sites. One exception is the colony near Snow Hill Island, in the Weddell Sea, which specialised expeditions reach by icebreaker and helicopter. See our emperor penguin profile.
At a glance
| Best time | November (when chicks are a few months old) |
| Getting there | Icebreaker expedition from Ushuaia, with helicopters |
| Time needed | About 10 to 12 days |
| Big draws | Emperor penguins and chicks, sea ice, the Weddell Sea |
| Cost | Among the most expensive polar trips |
The Snow Hill Island colony
- The colony, of several thousand pairs, lives on sea ice near Snow Hill Island at the northern end of the Weddell Sea.
- Adults lay eggs in the dark of winter (May to June). Males incubate them on their feet for about two months while females feed at sea.
- By November, chicks are fluffy grey youngsters, gathered in crèches while parents hunt.
How expeditions work
- An icebreaker or ice-strengthened ship carries helicopters, which fly visitors to the edge of the sea ice. Visitors then walk a few kilometres across the ice to view the colony from a respectful distance.
- Landings depend entirely on the weather and ice conditions; there is no guarantee of reaching the colony.
- Only a few voyages run each season, and places are limited.
Other ways to see emperor penguins
- Weddell Sea voyages sometimes encounter emperor penguins on ice floes.
- Ross Sea voyages visit Cape Washington or Coulman Island colonies in some years.
- Fly-in trips to colonies near the Ekström Ice Shelf or Gould Bay are offered by a few specialist operators from South Africa or Chile.
Climate change
Emperor penguins depend on stable sea ice from April to December to raise chicks. Scientists have warned that loss of sea ice could cause dramatic declines by the end of the century, and in 2022 the US listed emperor penguins as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Colonies have already failed in years when ice broke up early.
When to go
November is the main month for Snow Hill expeditions, when chicks are large enough and sea ice remains.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see emperor penguins on a normal Antarctica cruise? Rarely. Occasional individuals appear on ice floes, but colonies require specialised voyages.
How close can you get? IAATO guidelines require keeping a respectful distance; curious chicks sometimes approach visitors, who should stay still.
Is reaching the colony guaranteed? No. Weather and ice decide whether helicopters can fly.
How much does it cost? These voyages are very expensive, typically well above standard Antarctic cruises.
Related guides
- Choosing an Antarctica expedition ship
- Antarctica expedition cruise guide
- What to pack for a polar expedition
- Animal profiles: Emperor penguin, Adélie penguin, Weddell seal
Cover photo: Jenny Varley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons