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07-22 March, 2026
- 16 days
- Snorkeling expedition
- Difficulty level: medium
- 24.500
What to expect from the trip?
A real expedition
Our journey starts in Punta Arenas, Chile. We will take a fligth over Drake passage to make our experience more comfortable.
Our large and comfortable schooner is equipped with everything necessary for a long expedition, from a shower and a kitchen to modern means of communication and rescue equipment. We will spend our time savoring the beauty of the primordial nature, engaging in iceberg diving and snorkeling with whales, watching penguins and seals. We'll visit abandoned stations of the pioneers and in our turn will become the explorers of new lands.
On our way back, we will cross the Drake passage by schooner and finish our trip in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Snorkeling with leopard seals
The key moment of the expedition is snorkeling with leopard seals. These large seals are indeed a calling card of Antarctica, they are well known for their unusual behavior towards divers. It's in February and March when the chance to come across these magnificent creatures is at its highest. Accompanied by an experienced guide, we'll go into the water with these gracious predators. Very few people in the world can say they've done the same thing. The better part of this expedition is going to be about snorkeling with leopard seals.
Iceberg snorkeling and snorkeling with penguins
Are you a free-diver? Do you want to see the underwater part of Antarctica? Then you've come to the right place. Our yacht has everything there is necessary for a group of free-divers. Our experienced guide will tell you how to dive right and without any risk to your health, how to properly choose your gear.
Lectures
Besides thrilling adventures, there are also educational programs waiting for you. Our guides will tell you about whales, seals, leopard seals and penguins. You will learn about the formation of icebergs, what crabeater seals eat and many other things. You'll hear exciting stories about expeditions of previous years and how to survive for a month in an isolated group of people.
Why is better to sail a schooner rather that a cruise ship?
What's special about our expedition is that we go on our own vessel in a small group of people which allows us to fully control the route and adjust it to the guests needs and wishes. You can always swim with passing whales or spend more time taking pictures of penguins and their colonies if you want to.
Our schooner can take aboard 12 guests onboard, so that everyone can spend some time alone with nature, have plenty of time for taking pictures of animals and get individual approach in anything. Besides, each and every one of you will have an opportunity to learn how everything is organised and works around the schooner, to steer the wheel, to wind winches and feel what it's like to be a real sailor.
Which animals are we going to see?
We'll have an opportunity to see a lot of rare and endemic animals, among which are:
- Whales (minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, fin whales);
- Seals (leopard seals, crabeater seals, Weddel seals, southern elephant seals, fur seals);
- 3 species of penguins: Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie;
- Many different species of seabirds: Albatrosses, Petrels, etc.
Our journey starts in Punta Arenas, Chile. We will take a fligth over Drake passage to make our experience more comfortable.
Our large and comfortable schooner is equipped with everything necessary for a long expedition, from a shower and a kitchen to modern means of communication and rescue equipment. We will spend our time savoring the beauty of the primordial nature, engaging in iceberg diving and snorkeling with whales, watching penguins and seals. We'll visit abandoned stations of the pioneers and in our turn will become the explorers of new lands.
On our way back, we will cross the Drake passage by schooner and finish our trip in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Snorkeling with leopard seals
The key moment of the expedition is snorkeling with leopard seals. These large seals are indeed a calling card of Antarctica, they are well known for their unusual behavior towards divers. It's in February and March when the chance to come across these magnificent creatures is at its highest. Accompanied by an experienced guide, we'll go into the water with these gracious predators. Very few people in the world can say they've done the same thing. The better part of this expedition is going to be about snorkeling with leopard seals.
Iceberg snorkeling and snorkeling with penguins
Are you a free-diver? Do you want to see the underwater part of Antarctica? Then you've come to the right place. Our yacht has everything there is necessary for a group of free-divers. Our experienced guide will tell you how to dive right and without any risk to your health, how to properly choose your gear.
Lectures
Besides thrilling adventures, there are also educational programs waiting for you. Our guides will tell you about whales, seals, leopard seals and penguins. You will learn about the formation of icebergs, what crabeater seals eat and many other things. You'll hear exciting stories about expeditions of previous years and how to survive for a month in an isolated group of people.
Why is better to sail a schooner rather that a cruise ship?
What's special about our expedition is that we go on our own vessel in a small group of people which allows us to fully control the route and adjust it to the guests needs and wishes. You can always swim with passing whales or spend more time taking pictures of penguins and their colonies if you want to.
Our schooner can take aboard 12 guests onboard, so that everyone can spend some time alone with nature, have plenty of time for taking pictures of animals and get individual approach in anything. Besides, each and every one of you will have an opportunity to learn how everything is organised and works around the schooner, to steer the wheel, to wind winches and feel what it's like to be a real sailor.
Which animals are we going to see?
We'll have an opportunity to see a lot of rare and endemic animals, among which are:
- Whales (minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, fin whales);
- Seals (leopard seals, crabeater seals, Weddel seals, southern elephant seals, fur seals);
- 3 species of penguins: Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie;
- Many different species of seabirds: Albatrosses, Petrels, etc.
- 1Free-divingWe are going to dive in places where few people have been under water. Incredible forms and shapes of icebergs, splendid creatures and unique atmosphere are waiting for you.
- 2Leopard sealsThese animals are the main goal of this journey. You are going to see under water the largest seal in the whole world. Our guide will make sure that we find leopard seals and ensure your safety in the water.
- 3IcebergsWe'll sail the yacht among icebergs. Those who want will be able to dive among them and see what's hidden under their tips.
- 4WhalesSnorkeling with whales is one of our main goals.
- 5PenguinsWe'll see several species of penguins, and if we are lucky, there's a chance we'll see some of them under water.
Itinerary
16 days
Day 1
Flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island, Antarctica (2 hours flight). Embarking the schooner.
Days 2-10
We will visit the best places of Antarctic Peninsula and try to have the best wildlife experience, both underwater and on land. Our plans will strongly rely on the weather and our previous experinece of meeting wildlife through the season, as it always done in Antarctica, so the plan is rough.
We will explore several rarely visited areas in the north of Antarctic Peninsula, where leopard seals often come to the islands to feast on penguins. This is where we're going to look for leopard seals and dive with them for a few days, as it's the main focus of our expedition.
We will also visit the most iconic places of Antarctic Peninsula, including famous Paradise Harbour and Neko harbour, know for magnificent glaciers and icebergs, land on a large penguin colony in Cuvreville island. However, we will focus mainly on providing best possible leopard seal snorkelling experience.
We will do our best to provide you the best possible experience in our beloved Antarctic Peninsula.
We will explore several rarely visited areas in the north of Antarctic Peninsula, where leopard seals often come to the islands to feast on penguins. This is where we're going to look for leopard seals and dive with them for a few days, as it's the main focus of our expedition.
We will also visit the most iconic places of Antarctic Peninsula, including famous Paradise Harbour and Neko harbour, know for magnificent glaciers and icebergs, land on a large penguin colony in Cuvreville island. However, we will focus mainly on providing best possible leopard seal snorkelling experience.
We will do our best to provide you the best possible experience in our beloved Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 11-14
At sea on our way to Ushuaia through the Drake Passage.
Day 15
Arriving to Ushuaia and checking into a hotel.
Day 16
Flight back home.
Important note
The schedule and the program may be altered due to weather conditions.
Prices and accommodation:
Twin cabin with own shower/toilet. - 24.500 EURO per person
Twin cabin with own shower/toilet. - 24.500 EURO per person
The Dates:
07 - 22 March, 2026
07 - 22 March, 2026
- Included:
- Flight from Punta Arenas to King George island
- Accommodation and meals at the vessel
- Polar free-diving/snorkeling
- Weight belts
- Transfer to and from the airport
- Not included:
- The airplane tickets to Punta Arenas / Ushuaia and back
- Living at the hotel in Punta Arenas / Ushuaia
- Any additional expenses in Punta Arenas / Ushuaia
- Your personal gear, including freediving/snorkeling equipment
- Insurance
- The airplane tickets to Punta Arenas / Ushuaia and back
Is it scary to sail to Antarctica on a schooner?
No, it's not. Sailing vessels are one of the most tough vessels to sink, and our crew members are seasoned guys who have been working in Antarctica and the High Arctic for years. To sail across the Drake Passage is a piece of cake for a crew like this one. They'll see to your full safety and make sure that you are comfortable during the entire expedition.
The Tour Leaders
- Stas ZakharovBiologist, diver, free-diverThis guy is a biologist of Whale Watching Expedition Project. Stas has an experience in snorkelling with leopard seals in Antarctica. Also he's a diving PADI instructor. Stas will tell you all about the animals you'll see, and in the evenings he'll read you the most gripping lectures on marine mammals.
Mike Korostelev
Mike is the founder of "Whale Watching Expeditions" project and the creator of all our new destinations.
He is famous wildlife underwater photographer. Winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Mike will do some talks about his experience in wildlife photography.
He is famous wildlife underwater photographer. Winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Mike will do some talks about his experience in wildlife photography.
The list of the required equipment:
Make sure that you have the following things
- Warm fleece clothes and thermal underwear.
- Several pairs of warm socks.
- Rubber boots (for landing).
- Shoes to wear on board of the yacht.
- A storm coat and waterproof clothes: gloves (it's better to take 2 pairs of them), a hat (it's also better to take 2 hats).
- Swimsuits, shorts and swimming trunks (in case we get lucky with a thermal bath at Deception Island.
- Sunshades (with a rope, otherwise you might drop them in the sea).
- Personal hygiene items.
- Sunscreen and hand cream.
- Waterproof cases for your photo devices.
- Your aid kit with your personal medications.
- It's better to pack your things in soft bags and backpacks.
- Motion sickness pills (Dramina)
Diving Equipment
- A scuba mask, a scuba tube, paddles
- A dry diving suit with a hood
- A weather-appropriate set of thermal underwear (it would be a sound idea to take 2 sets of those)
- 2 independent DIN regulators for cold-water diving
- A buoyancy compensator
- Gloves (we recommend 7mm wet gloves), a buoy, a knife, a dive computer, a flashlight, a compass.
- A repair-kit for your equipment.
Attention
In the Drake Passage where our route goes, the weather is highly unpredictable and can affect the route and duration of the expedition. We can't control the weather, and we can't guarantee that there's a calm sea ahead of us, therefore we are not responsible for any alterations to the schedule or to the expedition itself due to weather conditions.
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Contacts
Phone: +7 999 721 01 84
E-mail: info@team-trip.ru
E-mail: info@team-trip.ru