This expert led polar diving, marine life, wildlife and adventure expedition uniquely combines the above and below water exploration of  two distinct areas of Antarctica: the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea. Antarctica is one of the most remote and least dived locations in the World and exploration of the Weddell Sea to the east will take pioneering diving a step even further.  Onboard will be Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist, Charlotte Caffrey, as well as the diving leadership of the former diving officer from British Antarctic Survey at Rothera.



The Weddell Sea is home to the World's biggest icebergs and the largest of all penguins: the Emporer penguin, who we hope to visit at Snow Hill. With a total of 12 days on the water, this voyage is longer than most giving precious extra time to explore the White Continent and its stunning scenery and wildlife.

Dry suit divers hope to be richly rewarded by diving in this pioneering marine environment, the Weddell Sea in particular being rarely explored underwater.  This unique expedition has been specifically planned in March to take advantage of clearer Antarctic waters due to reduced plankton volumes as noted during this month. We hope to encounter Weddell seals, crabeater seals and fur seals; and of course one of Antarctica 's top predators: the leopard seal. 

Leopard seal encounters have proven a particular highlight of our previous Antarctic trips. On past expeditions 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.)

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 and the Weddell Sea, where some bergs, trapped by the western flowing current, can exceed 20 miles in length. Four fifths of every berg is submerged and diving permits us to observe their intricately carved forms beneath the water.

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. There is a little documented about the underwater world of the Weddell Sea and new species are being discovered in Antarctica all the time.

The opportunity to dive onboard this expedition has been attractively priced providing flexibility for divers to increase the time to explore onland should one prefer. In addition to diving, there is also the opportunity  o kayak whilst in Antarctica and experience at close quarters the breathtaking wildlife and scenery of the Peninsula and the drama of the Weddell Sea.

Photography

The opportunities for excellent wildlife and landscape photography abound from the moment we slip our moorings, and there will be photography workshops onboard to help you hone your skills. The landscapes of the region are particularly breath-taking: the precipitous peaks, and sweeping glaciers of the Antarctic peninsula combined with the stark drama and enormous ice bergs of the Weddell Sea . The wildlife itself lives up to its reputation of being abundant, and on this trip a host of penguins, Adelie, Gentoo, Chinstrap and of course the largest of them all the Emporer will hopefully join the whales and seals of this incredible area as a gift to both the professional and amateur photographer alike both above and below the waterline. 

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 or kayaking expeditions 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. Each day, facilitated by our specialist marine scientific staff, 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, history and conservation of Antarctica.

Adventure

In addition to diving and wildlife viewing, there will be opportunities on this unique voyage to sea kayak, hike, mountaineer and camp overnight.

2011 Dates and Prices

 

Cabin Type	March 4th-15th  2011 (12 days)
Quad cabin with private facilities	£4190 / €4650
Twin cabin with private  facilities	£5450 / €5990
Superior	£6190 / €6860
Diver add on package price	£275 / €290
Kayaking, camping, hiking, photography workshops	no additional charge

Click here for vessel details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 No fuel surcharges at current oil prices

Single supplement: Single occupancy price is 1.7 times the per person cabin price. There is no single supplement if you are prepared to share a cabin with another passenger of the same gender.

Included
Voyage as indicated in draft itinerary.
All meals, snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and zodiac activities.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All miscellaneous services taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Carbon offset for your voyage and flights if booked through us.
Kayaking, camping, hiking, photography workshops

Excluded:
Airfares.
Pre and post land arrangements.
Transfers to and from the vessel.
Cancellation and personal insurance.
Passports and visas.
Arrival and departure tax.
Meals ashore.
Baggage.
Items of a personal nature (alcohol, laundry etc).
Tips. 

Day 1
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Day 2 & 3
During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet 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. 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 - 9
A typical itinerary in the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.

We will sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We plan to visit Paulet Island to see the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition, Seymour Island, where many fossils have been found, and Snow Hill Island, where polar expeditions as early as 1902 wintered. We might also visit Brown Bluff and further into the Weddell Sea area we may visit Devil Island and Vega Island with a large colony of Adelie Penguins and a magnificent view for those hikers who can make it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes provides spectacular waterfall from the cliffs close to point ‘Well-Met'. Back through the Antarctic Sound we may visit the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent. Watch out for stray Emperor penguins. There might be a chance to see one on an ice-floe. Onward to the West we'll sail south and plan to offer a zodiac cruise around the rarely visited Astrolabe Island where Antarctic Fulmars, Chinstrap Penguins, Brown Skuas and Blue-eyed Shags breed and Weddell Seals and Antarctic Fur Seals haul out.

Time and conditions allowing we hope to sail to Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay to reach the southernmost area of our voyage, where we have again the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.

Deception Island is 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, Cape Pigeons and 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. We continue to Hannah Point, which has a very rich wildlife featuring Elephant Seals, Cape Pigeons, Southern Giant Petrels, Macaroni Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.

Day 10 & 11
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds.

Day 12
We arrive in the morning and disembark in Ushuaia.