Lemaire Channel
Lemaire Channel
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Wesley C
Tucson, AZ9,637 contributions
Feb 2022
Lemaire Channel is nicknamed "Kodak Alley" because it is probably the most photographed place in Antarctica. This picturesque channel is 6 miles long and 1 mile wide. It is surrounded on both sides by tall, steep cliffs (up to 3,870 feet tall). First traversed in 1898 by Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache. Because the channel is narrow and protected by high cliffs, the waters are very calm and mirror-like. Lemaire Channel is one of Antarctica's top tourist destinations and is a main passageway to Petermann Island. Jaw-dropping scenery in every direction as you float among the icebergs!
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kelly R
Reno, NV32 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We were lucky the ice wasn’t too thick allowing us to go through the channel. It was a bit windy and cold the day we went through but the views were spectacular
Written 15 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jonahNJ
Pennington, NJ11,435 contributions
Feb 2020
One of the highlights of our journey to Antarctica was passing through the Lemaire
Channel. The waters were still when we passed through and the ice was not a problem for the ship. The Lemaire Channel is a strait off Antarctica, between Kiev Peninsula in the mainland's Graham Land and Booth Island. We passed through during the evening, but the winter sun provided a great view. The steep cliffs form “twin towers” which welcome visitors to iceberg-filled passage, which is a little less than 7 miles long and just under one mile wide at its narrowest point. However, I learned that ships must be careful since icebergs may sometimes make the passage even narrower. We were fortunate to be able to travel through Lemaire Channel with no problem on February 16, 2020 on the Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol!
Channel. The waters were still when we passed through and the ice was not a problem for the ship. The Lemaire Channel is a strait off Antarctica, between Kiev Peninsula in the mainland's Graham Land and Booth Island. We passed through during the evening, but the winter sun provided a great view. The steep cliffs form “twin towers” which welcome visitors to iceberg-filled passage, which is a little less than 7 miles long and just under one mile wide at its narrowest point. However, I learned that ships must be careful since icebergs may sometimes make the passage even narrower. We were fortunate to be able to travel through Lemaire Channel with no problem on February 16, 2020 on the Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol!
Written 15 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada11,556 contributions
Feb 2020
We entered Lemaire Channel on February 5th, 2020 on the Holland America Volendam. We almost made it through the channel before we were forced to turn around due to a large iceberg blocking our way. However, we got to see most of it.
Lemaire Channel is a strait off Antarctica, between Kiev Peninsula in the mainland's Graham Land and Booth Island. Steep cliffs hem in the iceberg-filled passage, which is 11 km long and just 1,600 metres wide at its narrowest point.
Our weather was decent although not quite the "perfect day" that we experience the previous day in Paradise Harbour.
Lemaire Channel is a strait off Antarctica, between Kiev Peninsula in the mainland's Graham Land and Booth Island. Steep cliffs hem in the iceberg-filled passage, which is 11 km long and just 1,600 metres wide at its narrowest point.
Our weather was decent although not quite the "perfect day" that we experience the previous day in Paradise Harbour.
Written 16 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WImom
Fond du Lac, WI2,339 contributions
Jan 2020
It was disappointing that we could not enter the Lemaire Channel due to ice chunks and icebergs. On a good day, it is so photogenic that it is actually called "Kodiak Gap." This steep sided channel runs 11 km between the mountains of Booth Island and the Antarctica Peninsula. The passageway is quite deep more than 460 feet for most of its length and at about 1 miles wide which is only visible once you are almost inside the chanel
Written 11 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trip60
Washington, D.C149 contributions
Feb 2020
Beyond beautiful. Glaciers galore! Seeing the reflection of the glaciers of the water is magnificent!Would love to come back again
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tupelo010835
Denton, TX2,005 contributions
Jan 2020
If ever there was a true MUST visit, Antartica is it, in spades!
When blessed with fair skies and light winds, it just doesn't get any better than this.
The Channel was truly spectacular.
Words fail me.
When blessed with fair skies and light winds, it just doesn't get any better than this.
The Channel was truly spectacular.
Words fail me.
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chrissy
Greater London, UK17 contributions
Mar 2020
Sunny, stunning and magical...must see. Just excellent as we glided through enormous ice bergs and tabular ice bergs as long as 1 km to get to the beautiful channel. Watching albatross and sea birds all the way.
Written 23 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1971kirstimm
Steinkjer, Norway68 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
This is magic! Beautiful passage with a lot of ice bergs and with a sea full of live. The beautiful mountains rising up from the sea was a beautiful view.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
richlee1975
Woodford, VA359 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
It's beautiful wonderful eye candy that makes your skin tingle. You can't take your eyes off the scenery but look into the water you may see penguins and whales.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Esther H
Tucson, AZ9 contributions
We are planning to go to antarctic in January 2021. Is the drake passage crossing really rough. I tend to get sea sick so a little concerned.
Dave Smith
London, UK184 contributions
It’s either Drakes Lake, or Drakes Quake! If it’s rough then you will definitely need your seasick meds, but it’s all part of the adventure. I normally suffer on the sea, but, I enjoyed it, and was one of the few enjoying my breakfast during the crossing (half the crew were ‘suffering’ on what our Captain called ‘An unusual Swell’! It is SO worth it when you get to the other side, and, you’ll have your sea legs by the time you go back the other way. Embrace it as part of the experience of going to Antarctica - besides, it might not be that bad when you go... Go for it!
GinnyGirlScout
Bowling Green, KY5 contributions
I am hoping to do a trip where you fly over drake passage in cruise around the Antarctic peninsula. I get seasick. Are the waters around the peninsula rough or protected? Thanks.
veus55
Miami, FL325 contributions
The waters in the peninsula are calm. The problem with flying over is that flights are frequently cancelled due to weather
Australyve
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
I am planning to visit Antarctica next March. The travel agent is pushing for Jan or Feb because there will be more wildlife. I'd like to know if anyone who travelled in March was disappointed in this respect.
Thanks
Y
ATBeck
Oberursel (Taunus), Germany2,016 contributions
It may be to late for your trip, because we now are in 2018. But we were in Antarctica in march and we had all wildlife we could have: penguins, seals, wales, albatrosses....
