McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

The ice-clogged waters of Antarctica's McMurdo Sound extend about 55 km (35 mi) long and wide. The sound encompasses 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) of shoreline which opens to the Ross Sea to the north. Ross Island, an historic jumping-off point for polar explorers, designates the eastern boundary. Ross Island is the most southern land in Antarctica accessible by ship. The US and New Zealand scientific bases are located on the southern end of the island.

Other prominent features of McMurdo Sound include Beaufort Island, Black Island, Discovery Point, Glacier Ice Tongues, McMurdo Ice Shelf, Mount Discovery, Mount Erebus, Royal Society Range, While Island and Cape Royds.

Things to see and do

* Emperor & Adelie Penguins
* Weddell & Leopard Seals
* Sea birds
* Icebergs
* Killer Whales

General Information

Cruise Season - Nov - April
Currency - Australian Dollar (AUD)
Language - English
Population - 1,258 approx (McMurdo Station)
Time - GMT plus eight hours
Electricity - 2 angled pins and 1 flat pin centered below Australian style
International Country Telephone Code - 61

Port Location - The harbor at McMurdo's Winter Quarters Bay is the world's southernmost seaport (Department of Geography, Texas A&M University). Ship access, however, depends upon favorable ice conditions.

Transport Links: For trips to the Ross region and Eastern Antarctica, commonly used ports are: Hobart (Australia), Auckland and Lyttelton-Christchurch (New Zealand).