Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp

Voyage overview

The Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp voyage offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the wildlife-rich Weddell Sea. During this expedition in one of the most remote regions of the world, we will do all kinds of activities such as kayaking and a photography workshop. Given the location and time of year, all these activities depend on weather, ice and wildlife conditions. If some activities prove impossible, they will be replaced by other activities and landings. This trip is a true expedition for the real adventurers.

Expedition route

An activity-rich expedition into the wildlife-filled Weddell Sea. The Basecamp format is designed to offer more ways to experience Antarctica, with activities such as kayaking and photography workshops when conditions allow.

Who is this voyage best for? Best for active travellers who want more than sightseeing and understand that all polar activities depend on weather, ice and wildlife conditions.

Featured departures and published fares

Voyage	Ship	Dates	Duration	Published fare
OTL30-28	Ortelius	Feb 15–27, 2028	13 days	USD 12,650

Fares are from prices in USD per person, based on twin occupancy. Dates, itineraries, promotional fares and cabin availability are subject to change and confirmation.

Voyage highlights

• Remote Weddell Sea scenery
• Kayaking opportunities
• Photography workshops
• Zodiac cruising and shore landings

Planning notes

Final routes and landings are determined by the expedition leader and depend on weather, sea ice and wildlife conditions. Comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency evacuation and repatriation cover, is strongly recommended.

Fares generally include

• Voyage aboard the designated expedition ship
• Meals, snacks, coffee and tea aboard
• Zodiac shore excursions and activities
• Lectures and experienced expedition staff
• Use of rubber boots and snowshoes
• Port charges, taxes and pre-departure material

Not included

• International or domestic airfare
• Pre- and post-voyage hotels and most transfers
• Visas and personal expenses
• Travel and emergency evacuation insurance
• Gratuities and excess baggage

Ask Scantours to check cabins and current pricing

Tell us your preferred travel dates, route, party size and cabin level. We will verify the latest availability and fare before you commit.

Call 1-800-223-7226Contact Scantours

Itinerary

Our voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

Path of the polar explorers

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, we enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

The great Weddell Sea features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. It is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, and rarely seen seabirds.

We may visit the following locations, depending on local conditions:

Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as we often see enormous tabular icebergs here.

Brown Bluff - Possibly the most scenic location in the northern Antarctic Continent, Brown Bluff is characterized by sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, and beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice.

Herbert Sound - We will focus our attention on the visually impressive areas of Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge.

Devil Island - This island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met.

Erebus and Terror Gulf - Here we look for new activity opportunities and may visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.

Familiar seas, familiar friends

Our return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, we’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to us now, and us to them.

Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia with memories that will accompany you wherever your next journey lies.

Notes