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Antarctic Peninsula Diving & Photography Expedition

This Antarctic diving and photographic expedition offers a unique opportunity for above and below the water insights into the white continent, which few have been privileged to experience. Antarctica is one of the most remote and least dived location in the World and experienced dry suit divers can be richly rewarded by diving in this challenging and unique marine environment. Our small group exploratory voyage is led by an expert dive team who focus on the best dive sites around the Antarctic Peninsula .

Rather than dive from a hole in the ice, we dive off the edges of ice flows and around spectacular icebergs where we hope to observe penguins from beneath the surface as they plunge en masse into the sea. The ice itself forms one of the special features of diving in Antarctica . Four fifths of every berg is submerged and diving permits us to observe their intricate forms beneath the water. Sunlight reflecting off the turquoise blue sculptured ice adds to the extraordinary atmosphere you can only appreciate in this wild and remote part of the world.

Around the peninsula we hope to encounter Weddell, crabeater, fur seals and of course one of Antarctica 's top predators- the leopard seal. Leopard seal encounters have proven a particular highlight of previous trips. Our expedition is specifically timed to take advantage of clearer waters due to reduced plankton blooms when sighting of leopard seals is particularly high. Last year these magnificent creatures were observed for long periods at close quarters whilst both diving and snorkelling. Having the opportunity to witness them ambush and then feed upon their penguin prey underwater is a truly exhilarating and memorable experience. (See our Leopard seal article for more details.)

The macro marine life on the Peninsula includes a fascinating array of species you are unlikely to see anywhere else in the World. Giant isopods (10cm) crawl along the seabed like enormous woodlice, 34 armed star-fish in stunning colours hide amongst kelp walls, and shy Antarctic bloodless fish, filled with their own special anti-freeze survive in these waters. This is a little documented world and new species are being discovered in Antarctica all the time.

Photography

The opportunities for excellent wildlife and landscape photography abound from the moment we slip our moorings in Ushuaia . The landscapes of the Peninsula are particularly breath-taking, with their precipitous peaks, sweeping glaciers and elaborately sculptured icebergs. The wildlife itself lives up to its reputation of being abundant, diverse and a gift to both the professional and amateur photographer alike. Whether your interest is in film and photography beneath the water or above, our experts can provide guidance into making the most of your time in Antarctica . This will include evening lectures and workshops on photography and opportunities throughout the voyage to talk with experts and other passengers who are passionate about natural history and wilderness landscapes.

Natural History

For both divers and non-divers, this voyage provides a unique opportunity to see and learn more about the entire polar ecosystem than if on a purely land based expedition. Divers will have the opportunity to participate in zodiac exploration and land excursions, after their dives have been completed. Some may also decide to enjoy fully guided land excursions as alternative to the planned days diving.

This voyage is perfect for divers with non-diving partners who are in search of an equally inspiring experience. The experts are on hand to assist participants in make the most of your camera equipment, from hints and tips to demonstrations; you can enjoy personal time with these people.

Each day, all participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, photographs and video footage with the experts and divers who have been exploring below the waterline. To enhance your understanding, there will be a programme of inspiring evening lectures about the wildlife, ecology and conservation of Antarctica.

For detailed draft voyage itinerary, please click HERE

Photographs kindly provided by Charlotte Caffrey, Linda Ashmore, Keith Hiscock, Göran Ehlme, Franco Banfi and Paul Nicklen

underwater - photography - liveaboard - ice - scuba - penguins - weddell - seal - whales - fin - humpback - sei - icebergs and glaciers

We advise you to arrive one day before departure to arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina

We can provide only a 'typical' itinerary of what to expect in the Antarctic Peninsula. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Team and is influenced local conditions, like ice and weather.

Day 1
Around 4pm you can make your way to the pier in Ushuaia to board the ship. Have your identification on hand, because you must pass through security in order to pas through security. The onboard staff will assist to find your cabin and where to store your dive gear. Take only your regulator with you into your cabin, all else can be stored ion the designated area. Every diver is expected to independantly prepare his own equipment well in advance prior to each dive. Remember to bring your own spare parts for your regulators and dry suit in case of leakage or damage.

When the Argentine authorities complete immigration, customs and other procedures, we can begin our sailing through the scenic waterway of the Beagle Channel begins.

Day 2 & 3
Depneding on weather conditions you will have around 2 days sailing across the Drake's Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. The Drake Passage can be calm and wonderful at time despite a reputation for high winds and rolling seas. Traversing the Drake is as much a part of the Antarctic experience and you can take advantage of albatroosses on the wings and sightings of whales on the bow. With the right weather conditions your passage will be relatively easy.

After breakfast, the education program commences with a presentation that could be about seabirds of the Southern Ocean. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we may glimpse at the first icebergs.

If the winds are favourable we might do our first landing in Antarctic waters in the evening of the third day at Aitcho Island or Penguin Island at the South Shetlands. These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels.

Day 4 - 8
We can provide only a 'typical' itinerary of what to expect in the Antarctic Peninsula. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Team and is influenced local conditions, like ice and weather.

We may start our first day in Antarctica with a mandatory check-out dive at an easy accessible site to get accustomed to the cold water and to adjust your weights. Dive guides will be with you in the water to assist you with your equipment, although most of the time you will dive indepndantly in your buddy pairs. Diving in Antarctica is serious stuff and safety is our first priority. Being comfortable in the water with your equipment is essential please check our polar diving section for more information.

We may make our first landing at Deception Island, a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black- bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

On our way further South we will sail to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers.

When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising and diving between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. Here we may also have one of the most spectacular wall dives in the Antarctic. The wall drops down to 75m. Thanks to the nearby Shag colony, there is an abundant marine life.

We hope to sail through the Lemaire Channel, famous for its beautiful scenery and great dive sites, to Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue- eyed Shags. We may visit one of the scientific stations in Antarctica, Vernadsky, which will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. The diving around the station is known to be among the best in the area. Kelp walls and lots of marine life with sponges, anemones, sea-stars, isopods and possibly Antarctic Cod.~

Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.

Day 9 & 10
On our way back in the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team. You can count on the education program continuing. Learn more about the seabirds that escort the ship as it crosses the Drake Passage. With the help of the Expedition Team you gain the necessary knowledge to identify birds on the wing. Do not forget to pack your binoculars, they come in handy as you stand watch for whales and albatrosses.
In the morning the ship will arrive in Ushuaia. After a farewell breakfast you will disembark the ship.

Day 11
Arrival in Ushuaia and disembarkation in the morning.

Aqua-Firma recommends APEKS regulators and consoles for Polar Diving.