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Why the Lemaire and
Neumayer Channels
are special

These are Antarctica's two most photographed waterways. Because they lie conveniently
near each other, they often become part of the same cruise itinerary down the
west coast of the Antarctica Peninsula.

Lemaire Channel
tips & insights

Glaciers,
sheer cliffs and snow-crowned mountain peaks dramatically line the narrow
Lemaire Channel and Neumayer Channel.

Glacial
calving is a common occurrence along the banks of these channels.

Their
waters are interspersed with icebergs and ice floes, so careful navigation is
paramount.

Occasionally
cruise boats cannot pass completely through the two channels because of
temporary ice blockage.

Penguin
colonies and basking seals dozing on rocks add to the tourist's viewing
experience, as do the playful whales that sometimes accompany the cruise boats.

Tours
include Zodiac (small inflatable boats) trips for up close views and shore
landings.

Visitors
take so many photographs while passing through Lemaire Channel that it picked up
the nickname Kodak Gap.

At
this latitude, visitors have 20 hours of daylight to enjoy the passing natural
scenes from the observation decks of their cruise ships.

Lemaire
Channel is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) in length and, at its narrowest point,
roughly 500 meters (1600 feet) wide.

Whereas
the Lemaire Channel abuts the Antarctica continent, the Neumayer Channel does
not touch the mainland. It lounges between two islands.

Curiously,
Lemaire Channel was named for the 19th century Congo official and explorer
Charles Lemaire, a gentleman who never set foot on the Antarctica continent.



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