Visit Cerva Bay, Antarctic Peninsula (2025 Guide)

Here’s your complete guide to visiting Cierva Cove, a beautiful, otherworldly place along the West Antarctic Peninsula.

Cierva Cove is a picturesque and pristine coastal area in Antarctica with abundant wildlife.

Located along the Western Antarctic Peninsula near the Gerlach Fjord, this picturesque bay looks like one of those classic spots in Antarctica that show just how wild and magical the continent is.

Huge glaciers seep into the water, breaking off into all kinds of floating icebergs that drift around the cove like a natural art display.

It’s also a great place to watch animals, with seals often relaxing on the ice, whales like humpback and minke whales appearing to feed, and seabirds soaring overhead.

The bay is also home to the Argentine research base, Base Primavera, a former marine shelter built in 1954 that in 1977 became an important site for Antarctic studies and research.

With its combination of towering mountains, sparkling ice, and plenty of wildlife, Cerva Bay is one of the most stunning places you can visit in Antarctica!

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Landscape of Cerva Bay

Cerva Bay is located on the west coast of Antarctica. The landscape includes snow-capped mountains, calm glacial waters, and towering glaciers that regularly flow into the sea.

On calm days, the glassy surface of the bay reflects the peaks and rocky ice, creating picture-perfect reflections. Cierva Cove is a photographer’s dream!

It’s a place where the scenery is always changing – new snow drifts, light shifts across the mountains, and the whole area feels both exciting and peaceful at the same time.

Located southeast of Cape Sterneck, Cierva Cove is a rugged ice face in Hughes Bay in Graham Land.

To the south of the cove, you’ll find Paradise Harbor and Wilhelmina Bay, both popular Antarctic cruise stops.

This area of ​​Graham Land is also located close to the Lemaire Channel, an iconic gorge known for its dramatic rapids and views of icebergs, making Cierva Cove part of a group of picturesque sites along Danko coast.

Important note! Before you book any international flight, we sincerely recommend that you obtain travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can pile up quickly if you get sick or injured abroad.

Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads.

Wildlife in Cerva Bay

The icy waters of Cierva Cove are home to a rich and diverse array of marine wildlife. Here are some of the special creatures you might be able to spot during your visit!

Get inspired by our list of the best Antarctic animals you can see during your travels.

Whales

Humpback and minke whales are the most common whales to be seen here, especially in the Australian summer months (December to March) when they come here to feed on krill.

The best way to see the whales at Cierva Cove is by visiting on a small cruise, as most ships exploring the Antarctic Peninsula include this place in their itineraries.

When conditions allow, passengers often head out in zodiac boats – small inflatable boats that allow you to get close to the water and drift quietly between icebergs, ideal for whale watching.

Seals

Seals are also a common sight at Cierva Cove, where species such as Weddell seals and crab-eating seals are often spotted on the ice floes.

Leopard seals may be spotted amid ice formations, although they are more elusive and require a little patience to find.

These marine mammals create a lively and dynamic atmosphere, providing opportunities for close encounters and photography.

Seabirds

Cierva Cove is a lively place for seabirds, thanks to its combination of rocky cliffs, glaciers and open water that provide plenty of nesting and feeding opportunities.

Antarctic terns and turrets are the most common sightings, often darting over the water or patrolling the ice in search of food.

You can also see Wilson’s Storm Petrels fluttering low across the surface, along with Kelp Gulls and Sheathbirds hanging around the beach.

The diversity of seabirds makes the bay appear full of life, and watching them swoop and dive against the backdrop of towering glaciers is a highlight for many visitors.

Penguins

Since the bay consists mainly of huge cliffs and formed ice, penguins do not have a permanent home here.

However, chinstrap penguins and gentoo penguins can sometimes be seen playing on the surrounding cliffs or swimming in the water.

They don’t live here permanently, but lucky visitors may see a few penguins frolicking in the area.

History and scientific research

Cerva Bay was named in 1927 by a British expedition in honor of Spanish engineer Juan de la Cerva.

The name reflects Antarctica’s tradition of recognizing pioneers of exploration, science and technology.

Over the years, the bay has also become known for its scientific importance. Argentina established the Primavera Base in 1977, which is used in… research During the Australian summer.

The Primavera base was originally a former naval shelter built in 1954, but now exists only for research.

This Argentine research base is a center for the study of the region’s rich wildlife and unique landscapes. Researchers often focus on the penguin colonies and surrounding seabirds.

The Primavera base is relatively small and seasonal, but its presence highlights Argentina’s long-standing interest in Antarctic exploration and research.

Although the bay itself has no history of permanent settlement, it has long served as a stop for explorers, scientists and now expeditions, attracted by its protected waters, wildlife and dramatic scenery.

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Visit Cerva Bay in Antarctica

Beach landings are not possible at Cierva Cove because it is an Antarctic protected area.

Alternatively, visitors can enjoy Zodiac cruises in the cove to see stunning icebergs, ice formations and wildlife, and pass by the Argentine research station Base Primavera.

The only way to visit Cierva Cove is by cruise, as there are no airports or permanent facilities in the area.

Trips typically depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, and depart during the Antarctic summer (November to March), when the waters are most navigable and wildlife is most active.

A visit to Cerva Bay is all about timing, good weather and ice luck, but when it works, it is one of the most memorable highlights of a trip to Antarctica.

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