Half Moon Island

This cresent-shaped island lies in the entrance to Moon Bay, between Livingston and Greenwich Islands. It's one of the initial stops on a cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula via the South Shetland Islands. It is often passengers' first sighting of Weddell and Elephant seals, as well as Gentoo penguins along the shore and a large Chinstrap penguin colony (with approximately 3,300 breeding pairs) further up the hill. Here you won't step foot on the Continent proper, instead you'll probably have to wait to arrive at Neko Harbour further down the western coast of the Peninsula or Brown Bluff an extinct volcano on the eastern side of the Peninsula.

Half Moon Island is around 1.2 miles long and home to breeding Antarctic terns, skuas, kelp gulls, Wilson’s storm-petrels and blue-eyed shags. It's also home to the Argentine Cámara Station located on the south-west side of the island.

Find out more about visiting Half Moon Island on an Antarctic Cruise

Map of Half Moon Island

Nearby landmarks

Trips that visit Half Moon Island

Flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. All voyage routes take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time.

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

Elegant Antarctic Peninsula In Depth

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Active Antarctic Adventure

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Fly & Cruise the Antarctic Peninsula

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  • 12 Days
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Antarctic Fly & Sail Combination

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  • 9-13 Days
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Crossing the Antarctic Circle

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Heart of Antarctica

Trave​l​ling on board a modern, state-of-the-art 5* ship with only 200 people, this voyage combines the best of both traditional and expedition cruising. ​Spend 5 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula in comfort. All-inclusive pricing means luxury at an affordable…

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With a good choice of departure dates through the season across three medium-sized ships, this 19-22 day trip stands out for its value for money and the broad range of cabin categories available, including Quads, which are…

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