Journey to the Ends of the Earth: Witnessing the Emperor Penguins of Snow Hill Island
By By Wendy Batchelor, Senior Director of Marketing, Tully Luxury Travel | 07-07-2025 |
There are few wildlife encounters on Earth that rival the magic of standing among thousands of emperor penguins in their natural habitat. Deep in the Weddell Sea off the coast of Antarctica lies Snow Hill Island—one of the most remote and exclusive destinations I’ve ever had the privilege to visit. And for a brief moment each year, this frozen expanse becomes the stage for one of nature’s most remarkable shows: a colony of over 5,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins and their fluffy, wide-eyed chicks.
A Destination Few Ever Reach
Reaching Snow Hill Island is no small feat. This part of the Antarctic is only accessible by specially equipped expedition ships—and even then, only when conditions align perfectly. Very few travel companies in the world have successfully brought guests here. That rarity is what makes the journey so powerful. It's a place that only a handful of people have ever set foot on—and when you're there, you feel it.
A Hike Like No Other
To reach the colony, I took a short hike across untouched snow. Every crunch under my boots felt like a step into the unknown—like walking where no one has walked before. And just when the stillness starts to settle in, magic appears.
Suddenly, the trail comes alive with movement: emperor penguins sliding past you on their bellies along what are affectionately called “penguin highways,” heading to and from the sea with purpose and speed. You stop and watch, and they watch you. It makes each step feel lighter, as if you’re being welcomed into their world.
I paused often, just to absorb it all. If you stop and close your eyes, you can hear Mother Nature in her purest form—the wind whispering across the ice, the faint crash of distant waves, and eventually, the unmistakable calls of thousands of penguins carried across the cold air long before you actually see them.
Meeting the Emperor Penguins
And then suddenly, there they were. As I approached the colony, it was like stepping into Happy Feet brought to life. The parents shuffled between their chicks, communicating in soft, haunting tones. The fuzzy grey babies flapped their little wings in the wind, practicing for the great journey they’ll make to the sea at the end of the season.
Because so few humans have ever visited Snow Hill, the penguins aren’t afraid of us—they’re curious. Some even waddled right up to us, tilting their heads and inspecting our boots (of course, always following IAATO guidelines to ensure we protect Antarctica and its wildlife in the most respectful and pristine way possible).
Why Snow Hill Should Be On Your Bucket List
An emperor penguin expedition to Snow Hill Island is more than a wildlife experience—it’s a spiritual one. The opportunity is fleeting: late October to early December, when the chicks are still downy and the sea ice conditions allow ships to reach the region. For wildlife lovers, photographers, or anyone with a passion for the extraordinary, this is truly the adventure of a lifetime.
Why Emperor Penguins Are So Extraordinary
Emperor penguins, the largest of all penguin species, can stand up to four feet tall and are uniquely adapted to survive in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. They endure the harshest breeding conditions of any bird, incubating their eggs through the brutal Antarctic winter. To reconnect with their mate or chick among thousands, they rely on distinctive calls that can travel over a kilometer. These remarkable birds are also world-class divers, capable of plunging to depths of 1,800 feet and remaining underwater for more than 20 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Snow Hill Island isn’t just a destination—it’s a reminder of how wild and wonderful our world still is. At Tully Luxury Travel, we work with a select group of expedition partners who know how to get you there and do it right. If this is on your bucket list, we’d be honoured to help you take the first step.
Very few will ever experience it. Will you be one of them?