A macaroni penguin stands tall on a rocky surface, its distinctive yellow-orange crest glowing in the sunlight, while three other penguins gather in the background.

Zodiac Cruise to Cobblers Cove

I Should Have Taken the Seasickness Meds

We woke to the ship anchored in Godthul, ready for another day of exploration. Our morning excursion took us on a zodiac cruise to Cobblers Cove, where we were eager to see a macaroni penguin colony. It took about 15 minutes of cruising through the open ocean, gripping onto the ropes as we navigated the swells, before we finally reached the colony.
A Zodiac boat floats on calm blue water under a partly cloudy sky, with distant icebergs visible on the horizon.

Two small boats carrying passengers in blue life jackets approach a rocky shore filled with a large colony of penguins, surrounded by grassy cliffs.

The macaroni penguin colonies were incredible to watch. With each surging wave, more penguins were propelled onto the rocks, greeted by their little mates rushing down to the water’s edge. Then, they’d all scurry back up the rocks together—it was so fun to watch. However, the significant swell made it nearly impossible to use my big camera, and I literally made myself nauseous trying to keep the lens steady.
A large colony of penguins gathers on rocky shorelines with grassy cliffs, as ocean waves crash against the rocks.
A group of macaroni penguins with yellow crests gathers on wet, rocky terrain near the water.
Four macaroni penguins stand on a moss-covered rock near the ocean, with dark cliffs in the background.
A macaroni penguin stands behind a splashing wave, partially obscured by the water spray against a rocky backdrop.

As we cruised along, we passed by waterfalls and coves bustling with seals and penguins.

Penguins and fur seals gather on a rocky beach, with seals playing in the shallow water and a backdrop of tussock grass-covered cliffs.

Fur seal pup resting on a wet rock near the shoreline with waves gently lapping in the background.
Wet fur seal pup sitting in shallow water with droplets falling from its whiskers, looking alert against a rocky shoreline.
At the very end of our cruise, another zodiac spotted a leopard seal on the other side of the bay. We all rushed over for a look, though I only managed to catch a glimpse of its back while Andy saw its head.

Next up — Afternoon on the Beach at Godthul

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