This small-ship expedition voyage discovers one of Antarctica’s hidden gems, the Weddell Sea, famed for its tabular icebergs, fascinating fossils and impenetrable pack ice.
The Weddell Sea was discovered in 1823 by the British sealer, James Weddell, and it was here in 1915 that Sir Earnest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance became trapped in formidable sea ice. Embark on a true Antarctica expedition as you experience the incredible sea ice and enormous icebergs of the Weddell Sea.
An array of wildlife play and hunt in the Antarctic Sound, and we’ll keep watch for cetaceans that have migrated tremendous distances to feed on plentiful krill in Antarctica. Learn about the incredible fossil-rich volcanic islands from the onboard palaeontologist, and enjoy countless memorable wildlife encounters.
With luck, you’ll visit a large Adélie penguin colony, where some of the penguins breed on the rocky slopes of a small volcanic island. Nearby, large colonies of Antarctic blue-eyed shags jostle for space with nest-building Wilson’s storm petrels. You’ll discover a maze of sea ice on Zodiac cruises, and in the water we hope to see humpback, minke and orca whales as well as a variety of seals. Chinstrap and gentoo penguins are also likely sightings.
A typical Weddell Sea Explorer itinerary is shown below, however durations vary depending on expedition vessel and date.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Embark in Ushuaia & stay overnight
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Day 2:
Embark in Ushuaia & set sail
This morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia. This afternoon, board your vessel and set sail on your expedition adventure to Antarctica!
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Days 3-4
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Cross the Drake Passage
Cross the infamous Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Frozen South. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence, you arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds - including wandering and black-browed albatrosses, southern fulmars and Antarctic, blue and Wilson’s storm petrels.
The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that you have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of 20 islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Captain William Smith of the brig Williams.
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Days 5-9
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Explore the Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula
Spend the coming days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea. You’ll experience between 18 - 24 hours of daylight, meaning the days can be filled with adventure and exploration. Join Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. While ashore you can stretch your legs, wander along pebbly beaches or perhaps climb up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering above, and ice-speckled oceans below. In addition, the ship will cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding.
This region also teems with vibrant exploration history, the most well-known being the story of Shackleton and his men, who were stranded on the pack-ice, following the sinking of the Endurance. The 28 men were isolated on the drifting pack-ice hundreds of miles from land, with no ship, no means of communication and limited supplies. The story of their survival and rescue is one of the greatest Polar stories.
You will have plenty of time to explore the amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and encounter a wide variety of wildlife. In addition to Adelie, you’re also likely to see gentoo and chinstrap penguins. There will be plenty of seabirds and encounters with Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, and humpback, minke whales and orcas are also possible.
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Days 10-11
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Sail back across the Drake Passage
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before you leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage, searching for more seabirds and whales en route.
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Day 12:
Arrive in Ushuaia & disembark
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions. Additional adventure activities are not available on every vessel and may incur an additional cost.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
To enhance your Antarctic adventure, why not extend your journey and discover more of South America’s natural and cultural wonders? Soak up the vibrant energy of
Buenos Aires, feel the spray of the mighty
Iguazú Falls, or explore the windswept wilderness of Patagonia. You could search for elusive pumas in
Torres del Paine or embark on a self-drive adventure through jaw-dropping Andean landscapes.
Ask us for ideas or more information on how to make the most of your time in the region.
LUXURY VESSEL
LUXURY VESSEL
EXPEDITION VESSEL
LUXURY VESSEL
