Byers Peninsula
One of the largest ice-free areas in the South Shetlands, with 60-million-year-old plant fossil beds
Area
8.9 km²
Declared in
1966
Region
Antarctica (South Shetland Islands, Livingston Island)
Best time
November to March
Highlight
One of the largest ice-free areas in the South Shetlands, with 60-million-year-old plant fossil beds
Protected since 1966, Byers Peninsula is one of the largest ice-free areas in the South Shetland Islands and preserves plant fossil beds some 60 million years old, from a time when Antarctica enjoyed a considerably milder climate, before its final glacial isolation after separating from South America some 30 million years ago.
Location
See on the interactive map2 dive sites within 300 km are also shown.
9 species documented in Byers Peninsula
At conservation risk:Elefante marino del sur,Lobo fino antártico
Least ConcernPingüino papúa
Pygoscelis papua
VulnerableElefante marino del sur
Mirounga leonina
Least ConcernFoca de Weddell
Leptonychotes weddellii
Least ConcernFoca leopardo
Hydrurga leptonyx
EndangeredLobo fino antártico
Arctocephalus gazella
Least ConcernPaloma antártica
Chionis albus
Least ConcernPingüino barbijo
Pygoscelis antarcticus
Petrel damero
Daption capense
Petrel gigante antártico
Macronectes giganteus
Experiences in this park
Nearby dive sites
Where can I dive near here?
Deception Island
45 km away
Puerto Paraíso
263 km away
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Which other parks are like this one?
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Noviembre a marzo
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Weddell seal · Antarctic giant petrel
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Adélie penguin · south polar skua
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