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Natural Exposures Journal

Seabourn Quest Cruise to Antarctica: Hope Bay and Esperanza Base

By Daniel J. Cox ·

Seabourn Quest Cruise to Antarctica: Hope Bay and Esperanza Base

Hope Bay, Antarctica Sound

The Argentina Base Esperanza (Spanish “Hope Base”) is located in Hope Bay, Trinity Peninsula, Antarctica. The first known human inhabitants of the bay were three Swedes back in 1903. They were forced to spend a winter there after their ship was turned away from bad ice conditions. They constructed a small stone hut and endured a miserable winter eating penguins and seals. You can still see the remains of the hut today.

The Argentinans built there first station here in 1952 which housed 55 inhabitants including families and teachers. Throughout the years there has been 8 known children born at Esperanza. This area is home to over 100,000 pairs of Adelie Penguins.

Adelie penguins ner the Esperanza Base, Antarctica.

Adelie penguins ner the Esperanza Base, Antarctica. Lumix GH3 with 100-300mm lens.

Seabourn Quest guests take a Zodiak ride to see the largest colony of Adelie penguins on the Antarctica Peninsula at Esperanza Base. Nikon D800 with 80-400mm lens.

Seabourn Quest guests take a Zodiak ride to see the largest colony of Adelie penguins on the Antarctica Peninsula at Esperanza Base. Nikon D800 with 80-400mm lens.

The Argentine base known as Esperanza. Antarctica.

The Argentine base known as Esperanza. Antarctica. Lumix GH3 with 100-300mm lens.