Antarctica Shackleton Trip 2024

January 31st- February 20th 2024

Antarctica Shackleton Trip 2024

January 31st- February 20th 2024

Just a few spots left!

1 Male Twin Window Deluxe spot

1 Female Twin Window Deluxe spot

Becky is honored to be joining Blue Green Expeditions for another adventure to Antarctica! This is a dream destination and a must on any adventurous travelers wish list! This is a unique trip set up for divers to explore walls, ice bergs, sometimes whalebone graveyards and even a possible Antarctic shipwreck!

You will have diving or snorkeling opportunities to see leopard seals, penguins, and dive around ice bergs! If you’re not a diver then i’d highly suggest Polar snorkeling! You’ll be able to see what ice bergs look like underwater, see penguins zip by and seals! Most of the big life is near the surface and the snorkeling is beyond excellent. We can even arrange a drysuit for snorkeling ahead of time as part of the trip. Visiting Antarctica is an unforgettable experience that’s hard to put into words. Along the way we’ll likely encounter several species of whales, birds and other species of marine life. Walk among Kings (King Penguins that is) There is nothing more mind blowing than the polar regions of our planet. I couldn’t be more excited to be joining this incredible trip again because Antarctica has a lot to offer, I hope you can join us.

2018 VIDEO

Antarctica Photos

We embark in Ushuaia, Argentina and sail through the Drake Passage directly to Antarctica. This usually takes about 2 days and along the way we will encounter Humpback and Minke whales all while learning unique facts about the polar regions. We will tour glaciers and icebergs on zodiac cruises and set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape surrounded by alpine peaks and huge glaciers calving at sea level. This trip isn’t just for divers. For non divers there are zodiac tours, land excursions, kayaking, visiting scientific bases and even camping for a night in Antarctica! Now that’s a wild experience! For divers, this is an opportunity to swim with penguins and seals as well as the unique invertebrate life of Antarctica. What’s interesting is Antarctica is so white and grey above the water but underneath is vibrant with color! Oh and don’t forget to claim your own iceberg!

Trip Includes:

– Hotel stay in Ushuaia, Argentina on January 31st 2024 – the night before the ship leaves. It is important to get there early in case luggage gets delayed.

-Accommodations aboard OceanWide Expeditions ship m/v Hondius

-All Meals aboard the ship, coffee, tea and snacks

-2 Dive per day (some days will be sea days on this itinerary)

– H valve steel tanks and weights

-Photography, historical, ecological, and scientific presentations

-All transfers to and from ship

-Expedition Jacket

Not Included

-Airfare to Ushuaia Argentina

-Travel and DAN Dive insurance required

-Tips on the boat, alcohol, fuel surcharges if they apply at the time

– Alcohol on board and any other beverages

Price depends on Cabin choice

Quad	$17,200 USD, based on quad occupancy
Triple	$18,200 USD, based on triple occupancy
Twin Porthole	$20,700 USD
Twin Window	$21,700 USD
Twin Deluxe	$22,800 USD
Superior	$24,900 USD
Junior Suite	$27,000 USD
Grand Suite	$29,500 USD

To sign up please contact me at Becky@LiquidProductions.com

Itinerary

This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey

Your 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.

Day 2: The winged life of the westerlies

Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.

Day 3: Finding the Falklands

The Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.

During this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:

Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife and many endemic species. Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here.

Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.

Day 4: The seat of Falklands culture

The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley has some Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Admission to the museum is included.

Day 5 – 6: Once more to the sea

En route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.

Day 7 – 10: South Georgia Journey

Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program.

Over the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following sites:

Prion Island – This location is closed during the early part of the wandering albatross breeding season (November 20 – January 7). From January on, the breeding adults have found their partners and are sitting on eggs or nursing their chicks. Enjoy witnessing the gentle nature of these animals, which possess the largest wingspan of any bird in the world.

Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. Here you may also have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.

Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for Antarctic fur seals. Literally millions breed on South Georgia during December and January. Only during the mid-season do they peak in their breeding cycle. There will be some young adult Elephant seals as well as this seasons ‘Weaner’s; the young Elephant Seals that have been left to fend for themselves. Watch your step and stay cool when walking the beaches during this time.

Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.

In the afternoon of day 10 and depending on the conditions, we will start sailing southwards in the direction of the South Orkney Islands.

Day 11: Southward bound

There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south.

Day 12: The scenic vistas of South Orkney

Depending on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine scientific station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago. The personnel here will happily show you their facility, where you can enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit isn’t possible, you may instead land in Coronation Island’s Shingle Cove.

Day 13: Last push to the Antarctic

Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.

Day 14 – 17: Awe-inspiring Antarctica

If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.

If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the northwest.

The breathtaking scenery continues in the Bransfield Straight and, if conditions allow further South in the Gerlache Strait. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

Day 18 – 19: Familiar seas, familiar friends

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

Day 20: There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.