Lemaire Channel and Damoy Point, Antarctica

We have the best wake up calls on board the Endeavour! Yesterday, a cavorting group of humpback whales entertained us before breakfast. This morning, it was the turn of a group of killer whales to entertain us. Further sightings of humpback and minke whales and seals lounging on ice floes meant that Antarctic marine mammals were well represented today.

And then there was the scenery. Draped in low cloud and shrouded in mist, seen through a haze of snowflakes, the Lemaire Channel (pictured) teased us with hints of splendour. Through a channel choked with ice we headed further south, our destination Petermann Island where we were to exchange the two Oceanites scientists who had traveled with us this far with two who had been on the island studying seabirds for the past two weeks. We were able to make the exchange but unable to land everyone, so reluctantly we turned our bow to the north and headed for Damoy Point. Here we launched Zodiacs and kayaks and explored the area by land and sea. Another extraordinary day in the life of the Endeavour and those who travel on her.