Half Moon Island
Visiting Half Moon Island in the South Shetlands: the chinstrap penguin colony, landing beach and closed areas, Argentina's Cámara station, the falling nest counts and which voyages stop.
What is Half Moon Island, and what will you see there?
Half Moon Island is a crescent about 1.25 miles (2 km) long in Moon Bay, off Livingston Island in Antarctica's South Shetland Islands, where ships land beside a chinstrap penguin colony and Argentina's summer-only Cámara station. It had 147 landings in 2025-26. Up to 100 visitors may be ashore at once, and the colony held 1,493 nests in November 2025, down from 3,342 in 1996.
Facts checked October 15, 2026 against 14 sources.
Half Moon Island at a glance
- July: no trips
- August: no trips
- September: no trips
- October: no trips
- November: in season
- December: in season
- January: best
- February: best
- March: in season
- April: no trips
- May: no trips
- June: no trips
Best Season
- Type
- Landing site
- Location
- 62°35′S, 59°55′W
- Part of
- South Shetland Islands
- Season
- Ships land through the cruise season; chinstraps return in October and November and lay in late November, and walks through the pass to the island's eastern tip are strongly discouraged from October to mid-January.
- Best months
- January to February
- Getting there
- By ship and Zodiac in the South Shetland Islands, between Livingston and Greenwich islands, on voyages from Ushuaia across the Drake Passage or fly-in trips from King George Island; ships may carry up to 500 passengers.
- Wildlife
- Chinstrap penguins (1,493 nests in November 2025), breeding Antarctic terns, blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Wilson's storm petrels; fur and Weddell seals haul out, and a macaroni penguin turns up in some years.
- Landings
- 100 visitors ashore at once, one guide per 20; nobody ashore 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.; land by the old whaling dory on the north shore of the southeastern tip; two closed areas; the pass to the eastern tip is strongly discouraged from October to mid-January.
Half Moon Island sits in the mouth of Moon Bay, off the east side of Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands: a crescent about 1.25 miles (2 km) long whose curve makes a sheltered harbor.123 Ships land at its southeastern end, where chinstrap penguins nest on rock outcrops above a beach with an old whaling boat, and Argentina's Cámara station stands to the west of the landing area.3 With 147 landings in 2025-26, it was the busiest site in the South Shetlands after Whalers Bay on Deception Island.4
What will you see on Half Moon Island?
Chinstrap penguins, seals, seabirds and a rocky little hill topped by a navigation tower. The chinstraps breed on that hill and on the outcrops around it, and Wilson's storm petrels nest in burrows in its scree. Antarctic terns, blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls, skuas and snowy sheathbills breed here too, and fur and Weddell seals come ashore to rest.3 Fur seals blend into the rocks, so watch where you walk on the raised beaches.3 The odd macaroni penguin has also been counted among the chinstraps.5
Look down as well as up. Usnea and crusty lichens grow on the rocks near the colonies, and Antarctic hair grass, pearlwort and small mosses grow on the raised beaches and between the outcrops.3 On the main landing beach lies a wooden whaling dory, which may be buried in snow early in the season; do not touch it or climb in.3 HX calls the island "staggeringly photogenic", with chinstraps on its serrated cliffs.6
Cámara station. Argentina set up a station at the head of the harbor in March 1952 and opened it formally on April 1, 1953. It is named for Lieutenant Juan Ramón Cámara, killed by a helicopter blade at Potter Cove on King George Island on January 15, 1955, and has been used only in summer since 1960.2 The station lies outside the visitor guidelines, but its scientists work in different parts of the island in summer, so give their work room.3 Oceanwide notes that chinstraps and Weddell seals often haul out on the beach near the base.7
What are the rules for landing on Half Moon Island?
Land only at the eastern end, keep off two closed areas, and before mid-January stay this side of the pass to the eastern tip. Those come from the Antarctic Treaty guidelines, revised in 2019, which cover only the eastern end of the island; the numeric limits are ships of 500 passengers or fewer, 100 visitors on shore, 20 visitors per guide, and a rest period for the wildlife from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.3 The zones:
- Landing: the small beach on the north shore of the southeastern tip, marked by the dory, or the cobble beach just west of it. Swell from the east can make landing difficult.
- Closed area A: the little beach point just east of the landing, where terns and kelp gulls nest. Terns move their nests between seasons, so keep watch.
- Closed area B: the hill with the navigation tower, the chinstrap and storm petrel colony. Walking around it is discouraged too, because the beach below is narrow, especially at high tide.
- The eastern tip: reached through a narrow pass the penguins use, with a guide. Visits through or beyond the pass are strongly discouraged from the start of breeding in October until after early incubation in mid-January.
- Free roaming: around the landing beach and west along the raised beach on the south shore.
All of this comes from the guidelines.3 In practice, the walk to the eastern tip is a late-season option, from mid-January.
Are the chinstrap penguins on Half Moon Island declining?
Yes. Nest counts in the MAPPPD penguin database have more than halved since the late 1990s:5
| Date | Chinstrap nests |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3,342 |
| November 26, 1998 | 3,312 |
| December 18, 2008 | 2,023 |
| December 7, 2015 | 2,129 |
| December 12, 2019 | 1,170 |
| November 22, 2022 | 922 |
| December 16, 2024 | 1,053 |
| November 16, 2025 | 1,493 |
The November 2025 count was the highest since 2019, and 1,578 chicks were counted on February 1, 2026.5 Australia's Antarctic program says recent evidence suggests chinstrap numbers are declining significantly because of reductions in krill, their main food.8 Chinstraps return to their colonies in October and November, lay a two-egg clutch toward the end of November and fledge chicks at seven to eight weeks, so January and February visits find chicks.85 Our chinstrap penguin page has more.
Who discovered Half Moon Island?
Nineteenth-century sealers. The first landing was probably made by Palmer on November 18, 1820, and the name comes from the crescent shape that makes a good harbor; sealers also called it Moon Island or Johnsons Island.2 Quark says the sealers tried to keep this productive spot secret.9
Which cruises stop at Half Moon Island?
Voyages that pass through the South Shetlands: fly-cruises that board at King George Island, and ships from Ushuaia heading back to the Drake. The ones we track:
- Oceanwide Expeditions keeps it as a last-day option before the Drake Passage crossing home on two Hondius itineraries, Discovery and Learning and Basecamp; the Drake forecast decides when the ship leaves, and so whether there is time.117 Discovery and Learning on December 27, 2026 starts at $9,650 per person from Ushuaia in a four-person porthole cabin shared with other travelers, but only places for women were left, and every cabin for two was waitlisted or on request except one Grand Suite at $17,500 per person. Fares exclude flights and were read October 14, 2026.12
- Quark Expeditions puts it on the South Shetland excursion list of World Voyager's Fly the Drake and Ocean Explorer's Crossing the Circle, its Antarctic Express trips that begin with a flight from Punta Arenas. Its South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari names the island too.14913
- HX Expeditions describes it, right after Deception Island, in a generic site list that every Antarctic voyage page for Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen repeats.610
If the chinstraps are the reason you are going, a January or February voyage gives you chicks and, from mid-January, the walk to the eastern tip.38
Voyages that visit Half Moon Island
Landings depend on weather and ice, so no operator can promise a specific site.
Highlights of Antarctica
HX Expeditions · Fridtjof Nansen · 12 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight to Ushuaia included) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight from Ushuaia included) · Sail both ways · October to March
Fare details
Lowest published fare, per person with two sharing, on Fridtjof Nansen, Oct 30, 2026, after HX 130th anniversary discounts (was $10,589; the extra anniversary discount applies only to bookings made by Nov 9, 2026); includes a Buenos Aires hotel night with breakfast, economy flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, drinks and gratuities. Four January and February departures sail on Roald Amundsen instead.
from $8,830about $736 a day
ViewAntarctica: Discovery and Learning Voyage (Hondius)
Oceanwide Expeditions · Hondius · 11 days · from Ushuaia, Argentina · Sail both ways · December to January
Fare details
Lowest published fare, one berth in a shared quadruple porthole cabin, Dec 27, 2026 (three female berths showing when read) and Jan 6, 2027 (waitlisted); a twin porthole is $11,900 per person but was waitlisted on Dec 27 and on request on Jan 6; flights to Ushuaia not included; read Oct 14, 2026
from $9,650about $877 a day
ViewHighlights of Antarctica (Roald Amundsen)
HX Expeditions · Roald Amundsen · 12 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight to Ushuaia included) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight from Ushuaia included) · Sail both ways · January to February
Fare details
Lowest published fare on Roald Amundsen, per person with two sharing, Jan 9, 2027, after HX 130th anniversary discounts (was $11,773; the extra anniversary discount applies only to bookings made by Nov 9, 2026); Jan 19 and Feb 8 start at $10,141 and Jan 29 at $12,066; read Oct 15, 2026. Includes a Buenos Aires hotel night with breakfast, economy flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, drinks and gratuities; five days in Antarctica.
from $9,736about $811 a day
ViewAntarctica: Basecamp, with free camping, kayaking, snowshoeing and mountaineering (Hondius)
Oceanwide Expeditions · Hondius · 13 days · from Ushuaia, Argentina · Sail both ways · November
Fare details
Lowest published fare, one berth in a shared quadruple porthole cabin, Nov 23, 2026 (one female berth showing when read); all Basecamp activities included; flights to Ushuaia not included; read Oct 14, 2026
from $10,150about $781 a day
ViewAntarctica & Falklands Expedition, Buenos Aires to Montevideo
HX Expeditions · Fridtjof Nansen · 19 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight to Ushuaia included) to Montevideo, Uruguay · Sail both ways · March
Fare details
Lowest published fare, per person with two sharing, on Fridtjof Nansen, Mar 19, 2027, after HX 130th anniversary discounts (was $14,398; the extra anniversary discount applies only to bookings made by Nov 9, 2026); includes a Buenos Aires hotel night and a one-way flight to Ushuaia; the ship crosses the Drake both ways, then calls in the Falklands and at Puerto Madryn.
from $10,485about $552 a day
ViewIconic Antarctica: The Explorer's Route
HX Expeditions · Roald Amundsen · 16 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight to Ushuaia included) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight from Ushuaia included) · Sail both ways · October to December, March
Fare details
Lowest published fare, per person with two sharing, on Roald Amundsen, Mar 4, 2027, after HX 130th anniversary discounts (was $13,861; the extra anniversary discount applies only to bookings made by Nov 9, 2026); includes a Buenos Aires hotel night and economy flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. All 2026-27 departures are on Roald Amundsen.
from $10,863about $679 a day
ViewAntarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise, Including South Shetland Islands
Heritage Expeditions · 12 days · Ushuaia, Argentina (hotel night included) to Ushuaia, Argentina · Sail both ways · November to January
Fare details
Deck 3 Superior Stateroom, per person with two sharing, on Heritage Discoverer, Nov 22 and Dec 2, 2027, after 20% off for bookings made before Oct 30, 2026 (regular $13,650); the Dec 12, 2027 and Jan 10, 2028 departures were sold out. Includes one hotel night with dinner and breakfast, transfers, meals, and house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; excludes flights, kayaking, gratuities and laundry. Read Oct 15, 2026.
from $11,020about $918 a day
ViewAntarctic Circle Expedition
HX Expeditions · Roald Amundsen · 16 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight to Ushuaia included) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (flight from Ushuaia included) · Sail both ways · December, February
Fare details
Lowest published fare, per person with two sharing, on Roald Amundsen, Dec 26, 2026, after HX 130th anniversary discounts (was $16,469; the extra anniversary discount applies only to bookings made by Nov 9, 2026); the Feb 18, 2027 departure starts at $18,476; includes a Buenos Aires hotel night and economy flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
from $13,578about $849 a day
ViewIn-depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition
HX Expeditions · 23 days · Santiago de Chile (flights to and from Punta Arenas included) to Santiago de Chile · Sail both ways · November to February
Fare details
Lowest published fare, per person with two sharing, on Fram, Nov 6, 2026, after HX 130th anniversary discounts (was $22,934; the extra anniversary discount applies only to bookings made by Nov 9, 2026); Dec 18 and Jan 8 departures started at $38,075; includes a Santiago hotel night, flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas and the South Georgia permit. Sails out via the Falklands and South Georgia and returns north across the Drake.
from $17,774about $773 a day
ViewAntarctic Express: Fly the Drake (World Voyager)
Quark Expeditions · World Voyager · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight to King George Island) to Punta Arenas, Chile · Fly both ways · December, February
Fare details
Lowest published 2026-27 brochure fare: Infinity Suite on World Voyager, Dec 1 and Dec 6, 2026, $19,695 per person (Dec 1 had 2 cabins left; Dec 6 was marked Please Call); promo codes of 10% to 15% not applied; includes charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, a briefing dinner and Punta Arenas hotel nights before and after; spirits not included; read Oct 14, 2026
from $19,695about $2,462 a day
ViewAntarctic Express: Crossing the Circle (Ocean Explorer)
Quark Expeditions · Ocean Explorer · 11 days · Punta Arenas, Chile (charter flight to King George Island) to Punta Arenas, Chile · Fly both ways · January
Fare details
Lowest published brochure fare, Triple Suite on Ocean Explorer, Jan 22, 2027 (marked Please Call when read; the lowest cabin bookable online was a Veranda Suite at $36,195); includes flights to and from King George Island and a Punta Arenas hotel night before and after; read Oct 15, 2026
from $29,095about $2,645 a day
View
Lowest published price per person in the operator's currency, checked October 15, 2026. Taxes, flights and single supplements vary.
Wildlife at Half Moon Island
Plan the trip
Sources
- 1.Half Moon Island (United States Gazetteer, ID 126095), US Board on Geographic Names, via the SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Data Centre). Accessed October 15, 2026.
- 2.Half Moon Island (Gazetteer of the British Antarctic Territory, ID 109171), UK Antarctic Place-names Committee, via the SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Data Centre). Accessed October 15, 2026.
- 3.Site Guidelines for Visitors: Half Moon Island, Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 4.IAATO Operator Use of Antarctic Peninsula Landing Sites, 2025-26 Season Report and Five-Year Overview, with appendix tables (ATCM 48 IP 199), International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Accessed October 15, 2026.
- 5.MAPPPD penguin census data for Cuverville Island, Half Moon Island, Jougla Point, Port Lockroy, Neko Harbor and Snow Hill Island (CSV export), Mapping Application for Penguin Populations and Projected Dynamics (MAPPPD), Lynch Lab, Stony Brook University and Oceanites. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- 6.Highlights of Antarctica Expedition Cruise (12 days, round-trip flights from Buenos Aires), HX Expeditions (Hurtigruten Expeditions). Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 7.Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage | HDS25-27, Oceanwide Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 8.Chinstrap penguin, Australian Antarctic Division (Australian Antarctic Program). Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 9.Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle, possible excursions and photo captions, Quark Expeditions. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- 10.Iconic Antarctica Expedition Cruise: The Explorer’s Route (16 days, round-trip flights from Buenos Aires), HX Expeditions (Hurtigruten Expeditions). Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 11.Antarctica: Basecamp, m/v Hondius, 23 November to 5 December 2026 (HDS22-26), Oceanwide Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 12.Dates & Rates: Antarctica & Arctic Cruises (Hondius Antarctica 2026-27 rows, PLA32-27, general notes), Oceanwide Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 13.South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari, Quark Expeditions. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- 14.Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake, possible excursions, Quark Expeditions. Accessed October 15, 2026.