5Deception Island
Deception Island is a caldera and one of the South Shetland Islands. It is near the Antarctic Peninsula. It was created by a volcanic eruption over 10,000 years ago. Its large natural harbor is generally safe but the island is still sometimes bothered by an underlying active volcano.
Nevertheless, it remains a favorite stop for folks traveling to Antarctica. The harbor here used to be little more than a whaling station, now it hosts scientists and cruise passengers alike. This is one of the spots where you can get off a ship and see penguins from ground level, possibly even from the cozy comfort of a natural hot tub in the beach. It is an exceptionally enjoyable place to swim (or even skinny dip) in the waters of Antarctica.
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