Neko Harbour (Antarctica)

Neko Harbour is one of only two harbors (together with Paradise Harbor) that are used by cruise ships to Antarctica (vessels actually stopping on the continent). Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay are currently the only two harbors used as anchorage points for cruise ships to visit mainland Antarctica. Close is located Danco Island.

Neko Harbour is an inlet on the Antarctic Peninsula, located on Graham Land's western coast. The harbor was discovered by Adrien de Gerlache (1866-1934, Belgian explorer) in the early-20th century. It was named for a whaling boat, Neko, of Scotland, which operated in the region between 1911-1924.

As anywhere in the area, Neko Harbor's coast consists mostly of calving glacier fronts and steep rock cliffs, so stepping on is possible only at several places and Neko Harbour is one of them. The scenery is stunning. Huge glaciers have their calving front a few hundred meters from the landing site and the bay is accordingly constantly filled with brash ice. Awareness is needed if passengers move around close to the shore in the vicinity of glaciers. Should it calve, then they have to move up and away from coast quickly (or toward deeper waters if they are in a boat), otherwise they will be in deep trouble due to the wave following every major calving.

Neko Harbor is a perfect area for wildlife viewing - Minke whales, Leopard seals, Gentoo penguins (breeding on the coasts). Cruisers will have a great view over Andvord Bay and Neko Harbor from the hill above the penguin colony. Neko Harbor is accessible only via cruise ships and annually visited by ~30,000 tourists.