The penguins of ANTARCTICA

Let’s be honest. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica isn’t about quenching the thirst of your inner explorer – it’s all about the penguins

- ANNABEL KEMP

The Antarctic Peninsula was once home to mega penguins that stood at a staggering two metres tall. While these giants are long extinct, wonderfully diverse varieties of penguin can be found in their millions all across the Antarctic continent. From cunning thieves to flamboyant deep-sea divers, we introduce you to five of our favourite species…

Macaroni penguins

In the 18th century, ‘macaroni’ was a term commonly used to describe a flamboyant person who wore jaunty, decorative feathers in their hat. So when sailors spotted these magnificent sea birds with flashy orange crests smoothed back across their heads, macaroni seemed a fitting title. Impressive in more than just looks, they come into their own in the water. When hunting or escaping predators, they can dive 70 metres deep, holding their breath for up to three minutes and reaching speeds of 15mph.

Chinstrap penguins