Deception Island

Why Deception Island is special
The horseshoe-shaped Deception Island sits just off the Antarctica Peninsula coast. The bay in the middle of the island has an interesting harbor that has become a popular stop over destination for Antarctica cruise ships.

Deception Island tips and insights
The land is a caldera
It is the remnants of a collapsed volcano. Characteristically, the middle portion of the volcano sank, creating a depression while the remnants of the collapsed wall formed a high barrier around the hollow.

Volcano is still active
It last erupted several decades ago, destroying some buildings, and forcing research scientists and military personnel to flee Deception Island.

Wading in Pendulum Bay
Subterranean volcanic energy heats a few areas of the bay, particularly Pendulum Bay. Tourists don bathing suits and splash around in that bay while their friends take their pictures (they know that being photographed in beach attire in the Antarctica will be a conversation piece when they get back home). More

Other visitor activities
They include:

• Exploring an old whaling station
  The once flourishing whaling industry peaked around 1900.
  
• Hiking up the caldera rim
  Great views.
  
• Eyeballing the penguins
  Nature created a narrow breach at one point of the rim. This let seawater flood the depression, creating a bay spanning 9 kilometers (nearly 6 miles).

Bay is large
Nature created a narrow breach at one point of the rim. This let seawater flood the depression, creating a bay spanning 9 kilometers (nearly 6 miles).

Natural harbor
The bay of Deception Island makes a natural harbor. The tall caldera rim blocks strong sea winds while the narrow entrance allows ships to enter but keeps out Antarctica icebergs and rough seas.

Location in Antarctica