S Shetlands: Half Moon Island

We had a one hour break between Deception Island and our second cruise-by location in the South Shetlands … Half Moon Island.

Half Moon Island, which consists of a series of gravel bars, is so named due to its crescent shape. It is thought to be an eroded caldera much older than Deception Island.

I remember that when we called here in 2015, the zodiac landing had to be moved to the other side of the island due to the sea state. And then we trekked across to the primary landing site to be picked up by the zodiacs to return to the ship. This required a special permit to cross what is another Important Bird Area [IBA] and we were instructed to keep walking and not stop for long periods of time so as not to adversely impact the study being undertaken of the nesting ares of south polar skuas, Antarctic terns, snowy sheathbills, kelp gulls, and a variety of petrels.

When we first arrived today, the low lying island was practically enveloped by fog. Luckily for us, visibility improved as we got closer. In fact, we were able to see the huts of the research station, near which the Hanseatic Spirit was landing its passengers.Read more