Penguin Lovers
There are 17 species of penguins: only two inhabit Antarctica. Three other species breed in the Antarctic for a few months each year. The remainder live in the Southern Hemisphere from the Galapagos to Oceania. Our expedition cruises range across the habitat of 10 species.
Antarctica's Far East
- Adelies
- Emperors
- Macaronis
- Kings
- Rockhoppers
- Gentoos
We take you to see these penguin species
The Breeding Cycle of Penguins
Seeing penguins is subject to their breeding cycle. Emperor Penguins breed and incubate eggs during the darkest and coldest months of the Antarctic winter. To see their chicks, you must join an expedition that sails early in the season - between October and early December. King Penguins breeding cycle is less restricted, so that when you visit South Georgia or the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) you will most likely see Kings in all stages of development. In the Antarctic Peninsula, penguins begin selecting nesting sites and courting in November. They are incubating eggs by December, while caring for chicks from late December through to the end of January. February and March are the months to see Gentoo Penguins tending their adolescent chicks. Gentoos are the only species of penguin to care for their adolscent chicks. The feeding behavior is amusing to watch.
