Enterprise Island
24 January 2007 | Position 64 32'S 62 00'W
We sailed 45 miles further south yesterday to Enterprise Island, about half way down the Gerlache Strait. It was another incredible clear day with breath-taking scenery and an endless sense of space. The trade off for the fine weather seems to be stronger than normal winds. We set out early with a forecast of light and variable winds, planning to take our time and look for whales but within an hour or so the wind increased from the south west, putting it almost on the nose. The day turned into a hard beat with over a knot of current against us and up to 25 knots of wind, but it was exhilarating sailing in such a wild and beautiful wilderness. The mainland coast became more and more spectacular as we moved south with higher mountains and massive glaciers. Enterprise Island is only a few miles away from the mainland so we had outstanding views from the bay where we tied up alongside a half sunken wreck. We were in a tiny cove surrounded by sheer ice cliffs over 100 feet high (see photo) with a colony of Antarctic Terns nesting amongst the rocks on shore and also on the wreck. Their chicks were well advanced with many already flying and we were in the midst of the action as the parents fished constantly to feed them. There was non-stop chattering and calling that changed to high pitched alarm whenever a skua or a gull came near. Then the whole colony rose into the air, screeching in noisy outrage and attacked the intruder en masse, quite something to watch at close quarters.