Diving with leopard seals in Antarctica

Antarctica. The most remote and hard-to-reach place on Earth, the biggest dream of travellers, divers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Our team takes you to the edge of the world! Sail through the Drake Passage on a sailing yacht, dive among icebergs, swim with whales, observe penguins and much more. In addition, one of the most important points of our program is diving with leopard seals - the large and beautiful predators of the southern waters. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you can enter the world of these magnificent animals.

We start our expedition from Ushuaia, the southernmost harbour of Argentina. A comfortable and safe marine yacht Aurora and its experienced crew takes us across the Drake passage. The vessel is equipped with the everything necessary for a long expedition: from large fresh water tanks to modern communication and safety equipment. After four days we arrive at the Antarctic peninsula, where we spend over 2 weeks enjoying the beauty of the pristine nature, diving with icebergs, snorkeling with whales and seals, observing penguins and visiting abandoned polar stations of pioneer explorers to become pioneers ourselves.

The key point of our expedition is to dive with leopard seals. These large mammals have become one of the symbols of Antarctic diving and they are famous for their special attitude towards divers. February and March are the best months to encounter these spectacular animals. Accompanied by an experienced guide we may enter the cold waters of Antarctica and meet leopard seals face to face. Diving with leopard seals is the main focus of our expedition.

In addition to helping you experience breathtaking adventures, we provide lectures and educational programmes. Participants learn a lot about seals and whales, iceberg formation, ocean biology and meteorology, polar pioneers and much more.

After spending two weeks in the Antarctic peninsula we cross the Drake Passage back to Ushuaia.

Small group and flexible schedule
We go in a small group of 7 guests on our sailing yacht. This allows us to control the route and to be able to change it whenever necessary. All the participants will have plenty of time to spend with wildlife, enough photo opportunities, no one will hurry you up.

What animals are there to meet?
There will be opportunities to see plenty of unique species, including:

Whales: minke, humpback, fin whale, orca, southern right whale;
Seals: leopard seal, crabeater seal, Weddell seal, Ross seal, southern elephant seal, southern sea lion;
Penguins: adelie, chinstrap, gentoo;
Plenty of other marine birds

Itinerary

27 days, 24 days at sea

Day 1

Arrival to Ushuaia. Meeting at the airport.

Day 2

Reserve day for flight delays.

Day 3-6

Drake Passage.

Day 7

Melchior islands within Dallman bay is a small ice-covered archipelago. A good place to meet feeding humpback whales.

Day 8-9

Cuverville islands is home to the largest colony of gentoo penguins (up to 10 000 specimens) and plenty of sea birds. The archipelago is often visited by leopard seals which feed on local penguins. Diving with leopard seals.

Day 10-11

Paradise harbour, spectacular glaciers, great place to see whales and seals. Diving with leopard seals.

Day 12

Port Lacroy - a spectacular harbour, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Antarctica.

Day 13

A day at sea.

Day 14

Iceberg diving at Boothe island.

Day 15-16

Lemaire Channel and Petermann island. Adeile and gentoo penguin colonies, seals, leopard seals, whales and orcas.

Days 17-19

Pleneau bay. Iceberg graveyard where icebergs get trapped in the shallows. Penguins, seals and leopard seals.

Days 20-22

Vernadsky base. Southernmost pub in the world. Popular tourist location, also great for leopard seal diving.

Days 23-25.

Sailing back to Ushuaia.

Day 26.

Arrival at Ushuaia.

Day 27

Flights back home.

The schedule may have to be adjusted in accordance with the weather conditions.

Prices.

Triple cabin 11 150 euro per person (3 spaces)
Double cabin 13 500 euro per person (4 spaces)
Single accommodation 26 000 euro per person

Dates: February 10th - March 8th, 2019

Included:
- Accommodation and meals on the yacht
- Polar diving
- Tanks and weigh tbelts
- Airport transfer
Not included:
- Flights
- Accommodation in Ushuaia
- Additional expenditures in Ushuaia
- Personal scuba diving equipment
- Diving insurance

Additional information
Equipment recommendations

During summer in Antarctica the surface temperature is expected to vary from +5C to -5C. However, due to winds and humidity the air feels colder.

Personal equipment
1. Warm (very warm!) clothing
2. Several pairs of warm socks
3. Rubber boots
4. Shoes for wearing onboard the yacht
5. Waterproof clothes and gloves
6. Swimwear for in case the hot springs are in action
7. Sunglasses
8. Personal hygiene items
9. Suncream
10. Waterproof bags and cases for photography equipment
11. Personal medicine
12. Seasick pills
- Diving equipment
  We provide tanks, compressor and weight belts. Each diver must bring personal equipment, including:
  1. Masks, snorkel, fins (+spare mask)
  2. Drysuit with hood
  3. Drysuit underwear (do not hesitate to bring 2 sets)
  4. Two independent cold-water regulators with DIN thread
  5. BCD
  6. Gloves (7mm wet gloves are recommended), SMB, knife, computer, torch, compass
  7. Gear repair kit
  Can non-divers join?
  
  Of course you are welcome to join. It is not necessary to be a diver to enjoy the beauty of Antarctica. The price for non-divers is the same
Getting to Ushuaia

Check out flights via Buenos Aires.
Diving

Polar diving is not the most extreme kind of diving, but it requires some special skills.
Water temperature may fall down to -2 Celsius, which means that every diver should be confident and comfortable with his equipment. Cold water experience is required. Expect a maximum 2 dives per day at depths of up to 20 meters.
What the difference between two Antarctic trips with WWR

This is our second expedition, which we also call "long" and "diving-oriented", is longer and a bit more extereme, focused on scuba diving with leopard seals and snorkeling with whales. We will visit the places with the best chances to see as much wildlife as possible.

Our first expedition also known as "short" and "easy". This is a "classic" Antarctic route for everyone, short and comfortable. We will visit the most famous points of Antarctic peninsula. Learn more about this route:
http://whale-expeditions.com/antarctica2018
Weather

Drake Passage is know for it's hard and unpredictable weather, which can affect the lenght of expedition. As far as we can not change the weather, we are not responsible for any schedule changes caused be the weather.

Tour Leaders

Mike Korostelev

Stas Zakharov

It's easy to book with us!

The process of booking becomes easy with Whale Watching Russia.

1

Contact us

However you like: phone or WhatsApp +79163114469, email info@whale-expeditions.com, using Facebook or fill the application form below
2

We will call you back

Or write a message. We will answer all your questions, explain all the details and discuss your personal wishes
3

Deposit payment

When you are ready to book expedition, we would ask you to pay the deposit, usually it's 50% of the price. You can pay the rest later, the last payment day is 60 days before expedition start.
4

Done!

You got your space on the trip, it's time to buy plane tickets! By the way, we can help you with tickets and visas if needed.