Admiralty Bay is a bay located on the west coast of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. It is the largest bay in the islands, with a length of 16km and a width of 5.5km. The bay is surrounded by mountains and is fed by several glaciers, including the nearby Fildes Glacier.
Admiralty Bay has been an important site for many historical events. The first recorded landing in the bay was in 1819 by the British Naval expedition of Edward Bransfield and William Smith. In 1820, the Russian Imperial Navy established a base at the bay and named it Port Foster. During the 19th century, the bay was a popular whaling destination, with many ships coming to the area to hunt whales.
In the early 20th century, the bay was used as a base for several expeditions to Antarctica, including the British Graham Land Expedition of 1934-37 and the US Navy Antarctic Developments Project of 1946-47. During the latter expedition, a research station was built on nearby Fildes Peninsula, which is now known as the Chilean Base Frei.
In the 1950s, the bay was the site of several Cold War conflicts between the Soviet Union and the United States. In 1961, the US Navy established the Naval Air Facility Admiralty Bay, which was used for surveillance of the area. The base was abandoned in 1966.
Today, Admiralty Bay is a popular destination for scientific research. It is home to several research stations, including the Chilean Base Frei and the Chinese Great Wall Station. The bay is also a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to admire its stunning scenery and wildlife.
Experience Admiralty Bay with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Admiralty Bay. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Admiralty Bay in Antarctica has a polar climate, with temperatures ranging from -20°C to -2°C in the winter and -10°C to 5°C in the summer. The coldest months are June and July, while the warmest months are December and January. Snowfall is common throughout the year, with the highest amounts occurring in June and July. During the summer months, the sea ice melts, allowing for more sunlight and slightly higher temperatures. The wind is generally strong throughout the year, with the strongest winds occurring in the winter months.
Our weather forecast for Admiralty Bay helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 8th 2024 Dec. 8th 2024 | max: 0.5 °C min: -0.9 °C |
23.8 m/s 31.7 m/s |
76.8 % 16.0 m |
92.8 % 997 hPa |
03:02:03 22:31:03 |
|
Dec. 9th 2024 Dec. 9th 2024 | max: 1.2 °C min: -2 °C |
24.5 m/s 32.4 m/s |
86.0 % 15.2 m |
88.7 % 997 hPa |
03:00:55 22:33:00 |
|
Dec. 10th 2024 Dec. 10th 2024 | max: 0.6 °C min: 0.2 °C |
33.1 m/s 53.6 m/s |
52.4 % 15.3 m |
92.8 % 997 hPa |
02:59:55 22:34:50 |
|
Dec. 11th 2024 Dec. 11th 2024 | max: 0.5 °C min: 0.1 °C |
33.5 m/s 54.0 m/s |
73.8 % 15.7 m |
93.2 % 1,000 hPa |
02:59:01 22:36:34 |
|
Dec. 12th 2024 Dec. 12th 2024 | max: 1.2 °C min: 0.1 °C |
20.2 m/s 26.6 m/s |
99.8 % 1.3 m |
97.7 % 997 hPa |
02:58:14 22:38:11 |
|
Dec. 13th 2024 Dec. 13th 2024 | max: 1.4 °C min: -0.7 °C |
23.0 m/s 35.6 m/s |
84.1 % 7.0 m |
96.5 % 999 hPa |
02:57:35 22:39:41 |
|
Dec. 14th 2024 Dec. 14th 2024 | max: 1.4 °C min: -0.8 °C |
39.6 m/s 64.8 m/s |
95.7 % 8.5 m |
94.9 % 1,001 hPa |
02:57:03 22:41:04 |
|
Dec. 15th 2024 Dec. 15th 2024 | max: 1.2 °C min: -0.1 °C |
25.9 m/s 37.8 m/s |
95.3 % 7.0 m |
96.3 % 1,004 hPa |
02:56:39 22:42:20 |
|
Dec. 16th 2024 Dec. 16th 2024 | max: 1.3 °C min: -1 °C |
24.1 m/s 31.7 m/s |
73.6 % 7.7 m |
95.7 % 1,003 hPa |
02:56:23 22:43:28 |
|
Dec. 17th 2024 Dec. 17th 2024 | max: 1.5 °C min: -1.3 °C |
20.5 m/s 21.6 m/s |
91.8 % 22.6 m |
87.3 % 1,007 hPa |
02:56:15 22:44:28 |
|
Dec. 18th 2024 Dec. 18th 2024 | max: 1.7 °C min: 0.4 °C |
18.7 m/s 22.7 m/s |
78.8 % 14.9 m |
93.1 % 1,004 hPa |
02:56:15 22:45:21 |
|
Dec. 19th 2024 Dec. 19th 2024 | max: 1.6 °C min: 1 °C |
25.2 m/s 32.4 m/s |
99.9 % 6.8 m |
96.4 % 998 hPa |
02:56:23 22:46:05 |
|
Dec. 20th 2024 Dec. 20th 2024 | max: 1.6 °C min: 0.8 °C |
29.2 m/s 47.9 m/s |
74.0 % 11.8 m |
94.4 % 996 hPa |
02:56:39 22:46:42 |
Would you like to travel to Admiralty Bay on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Admiralty Bay.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 15th 2025 Monday, 15th of Dec. 2025 | Norwegian Star | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Dec. 29th 2025 Monday, 29th of Dec. 2025 | Norwegian Star | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jan. 12th 2026 Monday, 12th of Jan. 2026 | Norwegian Star | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jan. 26th 2026 Monday, 26th of Jan. 2026 | Norwegian Star | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Feb. 9th 2026 Monday, 9th of Feb. 2026 | Norwegian Star | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Feb. 23rd 2026 Monday, 23rd of Feb. 2026 | Norwegian Star | 12:00 am | 12:00 am |
Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.
- There are no photos available for Admiralty Bay yet.
Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!
There are a few basic rules to follow
.Port | Distance |
---|---|
South Shetland Islands in Great Britain | 16,32 km |
King George Island in Antarctica | 28,66 km |
Antarctic-Sund in Antarctica | 155,00 km |
Elephant Island in Antarctica | 208,98 km |