ESBENSEN BAY

 

54^o51'S 35^o58'W Chart 3597, South Georgia

The entrance to this bay is close SW of Nattris Head (the S entrance to Drygalski Fjord) with a large snowfield at its head. On a fine day, this makes a most spectacular anchorage, but passing by the bay in a NW gale, there was a constant stream of fierce williwaws blowing out of the mouth. This was also the case with both Smaaland Cove and Doubtful Bay. The southern tip of South Georgia has a reputation for very turbulent conditions.

The entrance to the bay is straightforward, with bands of kelp lining each shore.

Anchor at the head of the bay in a clear patch in the thick kelp, in about 11m.

The Pilot suggests that there is a pass over the col to Larsen Harbour, but the snow bank leading up to it is very steep. On Shannon Point, there is a Macaroni penguin colony.

ESBENSEN BAY, LOOKING SE