Making the most of McMurdo Station
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered by inflatable zodiac boats.
Sightseeing
Passing through the soaring cliffs of Neumayer Channel, you arrive at one of Antarctica's most exciting anchorages: Port Lockroy. During World War II, the British set up base here, to protect interests in the Southern Ocean and though abandoned, the base has recently been restored. Nearby you can visit a large gentoo rookery and you'll also see blue-eyed shags (cormorants), and witness sad reminders of past whaling activities.
McMurdo Station is situated next to the historic hut once inhabited by the British explorer Robert Scott and his men in the early 1900's during a breakthrough expedition to the interior of continent. There are many amenities of home at McMurdo such as a store, post office, hospital, dining services, a fire department, and even bowling! There are also several dorms and laboratories and offices. Most of the people spend on average 3-4 weeks during the Antarctic summer, but only a few spend the long winter.