Following a late evening show by the killer whales of the Gerlache Strait, expectations were high for a final day of fun for our guests. A sunny morning greeted National Geographic Explorer as she sent her landing craft to Half Moon Island, where naturalist scouting parties found a great deal of excitement ashore. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins hopped along the rocky shores of the island, delighting all with their movements and cries. Our hikes meandered along the shoreline and concluded with a viewing of two subadult Southern elephant seals sparring on the beach.
Our final afternoon aboard was spent cruising through scenic Antarctic waters toward King George Island where guests came ashore and mingled with scientists headed home from missions on the island. As the sun set and we bid our farewell, we did so with a great deal of satisfaction.
