Antarctica
Paradise Harbor
Welcome to Antarctica! Paradise Harbor is a peaceful bay ringed by snow-covered mountains and giant glaciers, so calm it often looks like glass.
Why is it famous?
It's considered one of the most beautiful and photographed spots in all of Antarctica.
When the water is calm, it perfectly reflects the glaciers and mountains around it, like a giant mirror.
How did it form?
The bay was carved out over thousands of years as massive glaciers slowly ground their way down to the sea.
Whalers exploring the area in the early 1900s gave it the name "Paradise" because of its calm beauty.
Amazing facts
Huge chunks of ice occasionally break off the glaciers here and crash into the water — a process called "calving."
Gentoo penguins, humpback whales, and leopard seals are all commonly seen swimming in these waters.
Quick facts
- Huge chunks of ice occasionally break off the glaciers here and crash into the water — a process called "calving."
- Gentoo penguins, humpback whales, and leopard seals are all commonly seen swimming in these waters.
- It's one of only a couple of harbors in Antarctica that cruise ships are able to sail directly into.
- Kayakers can paddle right past floating icebergs in the harbor's calm waters.