In the days of film, this exceedingly popular cruise site was often known as Kodak Crack.
Rating: * * * *
Why Visit?
Renowned as one of the most spectacular locations of a stunningly beautiful part of the world, the Lemaire Channel is 7 miles (11 kilometers) long and less than one mile (1.6 kilometer) wide at its narrowest. About half way along the channel, Deloncle Bay cuts back into the Peninsula to the Hotine Glacier. Immediately south of this, the channel narrows dramatically to less than 800 metres (875 yards) wide with Mt Cloos on the mainland and Wandel Peak on Booth Island both looming 300 metres (1000 feet) overhead. It is an unforgettable scene, even in fog.
Where is it?
The Lemaire Channel runs between the mainland of the Antarctic peninsula and Booth Island, off the Graham Coast. The passage runs northeast-to-southwest from Splitwind Island and False Cape Renard in the North to Roulin Point and Cape Cloos in the South.
Challenges?
Sometimes it is impassable—currents and wind can fill the channel with sea ice and larger icebergs within hours. The Lemaire is usually best viewed as a cruise, remaining on board your ship, so challenges are generally limited to keeping fingers warm while changing camera cards and juggling a warm drink.
Wildlife
There is very little wildlife in the Lemaire. Orca, Minke, and Humpback whales and Weddell, Leopard and Crabeater seals do pass through (seals often while snoozing on ice floes that transit the channel in the current), and there are now a few small new Gentoo penguin colonies along the walls of the channel, but this place is all about the rock and ice.
Human activities
Perversely named in 1898 by Gerlache for Charles Lemaire, a Belgian explorer of the Congo
Photos, Voting and more coming soon!