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M/V SEA EXPLORER

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In Antarctica the silence is so perfect that every blink of an eye or every breath taken seem so loud. You will become a part of it – whether you wish it or not – with its own conditions and rules. A whale doesn’t care you have only “whale-watching” in your program when you are close enough to get a “whale shower”, leaving you bathed in fish-scented mist. A penguin leaves no chance to keep the demanded 5-meter distance, climbing up your boot. A huge piece of ice splitting off a glacier with crash and thunder breaks a silence and waves our Zodiacs. Orcas interrupt a lecture on wildlife coming right close by the ship. In the course of our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands we will see penguin rookeries, old whaling stations, operational research stations, and elephant seal colonies. We are going to encounter the humpback and minke whales, adelie penguins, whirling Antarctic petrels and many others in their true, natural habitat.

This voyage features the abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula, including the classic sites of historic and scientific interest.

Please note: The itinerary below should be used as a guidance only.

Itinerary

Enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Highlights of Ushuaia include an award-winning museum and trips to nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park and its popular “Train at the End of the World”.

Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Our experts will hold informative and entertaining presentations on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held in the comfortable lounge. The length of our journey depends on sea conditions but we should approach the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula in the evening of Day 4.

The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the aggressive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.

We will continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. We arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 12.

Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.