Islands of Antartica

Deception Island, Antarctica: This is not your usual port-of-call. There are no swaying palms, balmy breezes, tropical drinks with umbrellas, no vendors pursuing you along the quaint streets. There are no cantinas with light-hearted laughter, no strolling musicians to serenade you at your table, no souvenir stores and exotic purchases. After all, Deception Island is not a tropical island paradise, though it does have a Paradise Harbor. Deception Island is one of the islands in the South Shetland Island chain. It was formed by a volcanic crater, and when part of the crater collapsed, seawater rushed in the caldera and created one of the largest natural harbors (about 10 miles across) in the world. The harbor is protected from passing icebergs. Deception Island is in Antartica. You can swim, though, and that's what brings modern day visitors. Scientists, geologists, environmentalists and volcanologists may come for the other natural phenomena, but tourists come to swim in the Antarctic, at Pendulum Cove in water heated by an active volcano. It's not real swimming, more like dipping into a narrow strip of shallow water along the beach, somewhere between blistering hot and frigid water.