Landing Spotlight – Danco Island

One of our favorite landing sites is Danco Island, a small island located in the Errera Channel close to Neko Harbour. From the spectacular views, excellent hiking, and wildlife spotting it’s a fantastic landing and day of adventure on many of our itineraries.

First charted by explorer Adrien de Gerlache during the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899, Danco Island is named after Belgian geophysicist and magnetician Emile Danco, who unfortunately died during the expedition.

Danco Island is just 1 mile long and features a slope that you can hike for a stunning view. The surrounding mountains feature deep crevassed glaciers that make for an outstanding sight, and the channel below often has Minke and Humpback whales swimming through. Bring your binoculars!

Home to approximately 2000 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins, the slopes are covered in penguin highways. These lovable creatures are entertaining to watch and curious about their ‘visitors’. Weddell seals are also often sighted on the offshore rocks and beaches. 

The island was home to the British Antarctic Survey’s Station O, where surveying and geological fieldwork was done. The hut on Danco Island was closed in 1959 and taken down in 2004, but there is a plaque to commemorate its location.

Here are some of the highlights of a visit to Danco Island:

• Hike up the slopes to take in the amazing views
• Search for whales in the channel
• Visit the Gentoo penguin colony
• Enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place

With incredible views and wildlife spotting opportunities, Danco Island is an exciting landing site and often one that we can accomplish on our voyages.