10 Important Historical Sites in Antarctica

On each of our voyages, we make a point of celebrating Antarctic history. Depending on the itinerary, guests may be lucky enough to experience any number of historical sites. These places can combine incredible beauty, interesting artifacts, and captivating stories that relay the magic of Antarctica’s history.

Here are a few important spots that not only assist us in telling the story of Antarctica, but also offer a combination of spectacular beauty and wildlife.

1. Portal Point

Discover the access route to the Peninsula and hear the story of Wally Herbert. Enjoy stunning scenery as you walk along the coast (perhaps for the first time!) as you learn more about the conditions on the Peninsula, both past and present.

2. Whalers Bay, Deception Island

This wonderful site encapsulates Antarctic history and the Peninsula in one go, from the chronicles of the great explorers to the whaling industry, right through to the first flights into Antarctica. The stunning scenery at Neptune’s Window and the Bellows always impresses. And Deception Island, believe it or not, is an active volcano.

3. Lemaire Channel/ Danco Island

This area presents the opportunity to talk about Gerlache and the involvement of Amundsen, plus the wider aspects of the Belgian Expedition. The Lemaire Channel is one of the most spectacular areas in Antarctica to voyage through and is always awe-inspiring. And Danco Island is one of our favorite landing spots.

4. Paulet Island

The scenery here is not only incredible but gives us an opportunity to educate our guests about the Swedish Expedition in Antarctic history. This tiny island in the Weddell Sea is where the majority of the Nordenskjold expedition were marooned and overwintered after their ship was crushed by the ice in 1903.

5. Point Wild, Elephant Island

A famous place that has captivating historical significance in the story of Shackleton and his men. This historical site features a bust of Captain Luis Alberto Pardo with a monolith and plaque. We often lecture on “The Scott-Shackleton Great Leadership Debate” at this spot, providing a real connection between the two and what their expedition stories mean.

6. Port Lockroy

The physical representation of how people used to live at this location makes it a choice destination. It also provides many interesting stories about the way countries have sought to gain vantage in securing national holding in Antarctica.

7. Wordie House

Named after James Wordie, chief scientist and geologist of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition. Very important meteorological research has been conducted at this historic site, and there are 500 original artifacts here.

8. Grytviken, South Georgia

This industrial heritage site is one of the most popular historic sites we visit, and here we reflect on the story of Shackleton and his ship the Endurance. This spot also provides us with access to a museum, church, cemetary, whaling station and an abundance of wildlife.

Visiting Shackleton’s grave in the Grytviken cemetary

9. Waterboat Point

Learn the remarkable story of Bagshaw and Lester. These two young British men overwintered here in 1921 with minimal supplies, living underneath an upturned boat that had been left behind by whalers. Today the site of their hut has been overtaken by a Gentoo penguin colony.

10. Yankee Harbour

When sealers arrived on the South Shetland Islands immediately after their discovery in 1819, they were the first to spend any extended time in Antarctic waters. Yankee Harbour is one of the few places where we can see physical remains from this time. Though the history of sealing is obscure as there are few historical sources, it is tremendously important in terms of the history of Antarctica.