Mikkelsen Harbor & Spert Island

Jan 31, 2023
This morning we sleep in a little, as we are still tired from the previous few days and feel the need to recoup. While getting ready for our landing, we spot humpback tales out of our balcony cabin in the distance. We try to coo them to come closer to the ship, but they simply won’t listen to us! Our only landing for the day will be at Mikkelsen Harbor, an old whaling station still with a hut and remnants of whale bones and an ice vessel on shore. We wander around the island, again spotting gentoo penguins in nearly every rocky area. We did identify one chinstrap penguin, making friends with the gentoos, which was interesting to watch. On the back side of the island, we spot five weddell seals and three fur seals lounging on the shore. They acknowledge our presence somewhat with brief glances in our direction, or a small adjustment of position or a scratch before returning to their naps. The landing started out all sunny, but then quickly changed to snowing and cold, so we decide to head back earlier to the ship for some hot chocolate.

After lunch, we have a zodiac cruise planned around Spert Island, located just west of Trinity Island. We load up and head out around the bay, spotting some fur seals on the shore, and admiring some breathtaking rock formations. Next, we round the corner facing the open ocean and sail through some steep vertical rock formations. The channel reminds me of Kicker Rock somewhat in the Galapagos islands, although with much mightier water currents. We continue along in the open bay. The swells on this side of the rock formations are quite large and after a time of trolling along the coast, the decision is made to return to the ship instead of continuing.  This evening we enjoy our recap and discuss the plan to try and forge northward towards the Weddell Sea.