Antarctic

March 10 – 21, 2025

About the Expedition

DIVERS AND NON-DIVERS ARE WELCOME

Limited capacity: 11 adventurers.

Epic expedition to the wild white continent, the Antarctic Peninsula is part of the larger peninsula of West Antarctica, protruding 1,300 km (810 miles) from a line between Cape Adams (Weddell Sea) and a point on the mainland south of the Eklund Islands. Beneath the ice sheet that covers it, the Antarctic Peninsula consists of a string of bedrock islands; these are separated by deep channels whose bottoms lie at depths considerably below current sea level. They are joined by a grounded ice sheet. Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America, is about 1,000 km (620 miles) away across the Drake Passage.

The Antarctic Peninsula is currently dotted with numerous research stations, and nations have made multiple claims of sovereignty. The peninsula is part of disputed and overlapping claims by Argentina, Chile, and the United Kingdom. None of these claims have international recognition and, under the Antarctic Treaty System, the respective countries do not attempt to enforce their claims. The British claim, however, is recognized by Australia, France, New Zealand, and Norway. Argentina has the most bases and personnel stationed on the peninsula.

The Antarctic Peninsula is 522,000 square kilometers (202,000 sq mi) in area and 80% ice-covered.

This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula Expedition passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.

Itinerary

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.

Day 1

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 - 3

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you 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 up 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 pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

Day 4 - 9

Options for Antarctic Peninsula activities are many, and no less great during the late summer. Humpback whales are prolific in this region, gorging themselves on krill before their migration north. The penguin chicks are also fledging, stirring up activity on the beaches while sleek leopard seals lie in wait, poised to attack the less fortunate ones.

Day 10 - 11

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 12

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.

Polar Diving

Visiting the polar regions is a fantastic adventure, but just below the waves waits an extraordinary other world for you to experience and explore. Our polar expedition provides you maximum firsthand contact with local wildlife and terrain, but it is our intimate knowledge of the seas that allows us to also give you an unparalleled adventure below the waves. True expeditions in every sense of the word, during which you will have access to some of the most scenic dive sites in the polar regions.

You can explore the underbellies of icebergs, encounter exotic marine life, and enjoy the beautiful interplay of ice, light, and water in a rarely seen world, Pinguins, Leopard Seals, Humpback Whales, Fur seals are the high lights of our big marine life encounters, but also sea squirts, squat lobsters, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms, dogfish, sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, shrubby horsetails, jellyfish, sea hedgehogs, kelp walls, and several species of starfish and exotic polar marine life. Antarctic islands are also rich with krill, one of the prime food sources form any marine species and therefore highly useful in locating wildlife.

Antarctica’s dazzling icecaps, colossal glaciers, and towering mountains are rivaled only by the white-sand beaches and lush flora of the sub-Antarctic islands. Both areas host a large variety of penguins, whales, seals and seabirds. This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula Expedition passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.

The details of our dives and itineraries are based on the extensive experience of our guides, all of whom have worked in the polar regions. When you dive with us, you get the best polar adventure in the most capable hands.

General Diving Information

Divers must be experienced with cold water, dry-suit diving. We aim for one to two dives per day (one in the morning, one in the afternoon). Our ability to dive depends on local ice and weather conditions. All dive guides are certified and experienced experts in their field. Divers must bring their own personal gear. On board: tanks, compressors, and weights. We make dives from Zodiac boats.

Max Depth: 20 m (60 ft)

Scuba Diving Level: Advanced OW + EAN + Dry Suit Diver

Scuba Diving Experience: Advanced with 30 dry-suit dives logged

Wildlife

Underwater Wildlife

Environmental Challenges

Physical Condition

Outside temperature: – 10°C

Water Temperature: – 1.7°C sub-zero

Weather

In Antarctica’s Southern Hemisphere summer (December to February), temperatures are generally close to freezing, varying between -5 to 8°C (23 to 46°F). Combined with the strong katabatic winds of this area, the cold can often feel even colder. Warm and waterproof clothing (and a flexible attitude) is required. Severe weather may lead to the cancellation of landings and dives, as excursions can only take place in safe conditions.

Visibility

Ample pack ice often means flat water with clear visibility. Little pack ice can mean plankton blooms, because there is more daylight and possibility of swells. But the ice and weather conditions are different every year, so there is no way to predict them.

Currents

Water currents can be present anywhere and at any time. The dive guides will select a dive spot that is safe and also give information about returning to the Zodiacs if needed. Normally there is very little current where we dive, if any.

Diving Protocol

In normal circumstances, the number of divers per Zodiac is six passengers as well as one driver-guide. Always watch your valuable gear when embarking and disembarking the Zodiacs. Diving Operation and Vessel are not liable for the loss of individual equipment.

Dives will be made using the buddy system. The dive guide will not be in the water to accompany and lead divers. Rather, dive guides stay on the surface for the divers’ safety. Divers are expected to be experienced enough to read their compasses and depth gauges and look after each other. Buddy teams are important, so we let our divers match themselves as much as possible. In cases where divers have not paired up or are in doubt, dive guides sit with divers to discuss their expectations and experience. We try to pair people of similar interests and experience. If there is an uneven number of divers and three-person groups are not feasible, dive guides will accompany divers.

To considerate

We know our dive destinations in great detail and are always exploring new sites, but every dive can encounter surprises. It is important to remember that nature calls the shots in the polar regions. Personal expectations that are not met are not grounds for reimbursement.

Please note that our itinerary is always subject to safe local conditions. It is always possible that ice, weather, or wildlife will force us to change our sailing schedule. It is also possible that certain bays or fjords will be closed because of ice. All divers are required to follow the instructions of dive leaders and guides at all times. All divers are participating 100% at their own risk, which is also the case during land excursions.

Hazards

If pack ice approaches while divers are underwater, it can be hard to see people if they surface in the middle of it. For this reason, it is important to only dive around icebergs that are hard aground or floating in water clear of brash or pack ice. Many of the dive sites have slopes or faces that go deeper than the 20 meters (65 feet) maximum limit for our dives. Divers must act responsibly and show self-discipline.

Safety First

Diving in the remote polar regions is no more dangerous than normal scuba diving as long as you follow one important rule: safety first. All divers looking for dangerous stunts or deep dives are asked to refrain from this activity. There are no decompression chambers in Antarctica or the Arctic, medical care is almost non-existent, and there is hardly any infrastructure. Although we have a doctor on board the vessel for first-aid assistance, we cannot accept risky ventures from any divers.

Equipment

Once you have settled into your cabin, you will be given an area to store and hang your equipment. Every diver is expected to prepare their own equipment in advance of each dive. Bring your own spare parts for regulators and dry suits in case of leaks or damage. Divers are expected to set up and carry their own equipment in and out of the Zodiac as well as up and down the gangway.

On board tanks and weights

On all diving vessels, we have a compressor and 35 steel tanks of 12 liters each (200 bar), with DIN and Yoke adaptable connections and two separate outlets. You will be provided with hard lead weights and a belt, but there are no ankle weights available. You may bring and use your own weight harness.

Please bring the following equipment and clothing yourself:

Dry suit with hood.
Warm undergarments.
Pressure gauge.
Compass watch
Knife and torch.
Dive computer.
Mask, fins, and snorkel.
Dry gloves or wet gloves/mitts adequate for sub-zero waters.
Two freeze-protected regulators (we dive with special bottles that have two separate outlets, and we use 12L steel tanks fitted with a Y or H valve configuration and DIN or Yoke adaptable connections).
BC with quick-release capability and sufficient lift capacity.
Post dive clothing including a warm hat and waterproof gloves.

About the Ship

The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, providing us with possibilities to adventure in remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. “Ortelius” was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named “Marina Svetaeva”, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and renamed “Ortelius”. As Plancius, Ortelius was a Dutch / Flemish cartographer. Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598) published the first modern world atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theatre of the World in 1570. At that time, the atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. “Ortelius” is a great expedition vessel for 108 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces. The vessel is manned by 24 highly experienced international nautical crew, 20 international hotel crew, including stewardesses, 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides/lecturers), and 1 doctor.

The vessel offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces • 4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins) • 26 twin porthole cabin with 2 single lower berths • 12 twin cabins with windows and 2 single lower berths • 2 twin deluxe cabins with windows and 2 single lower berths • 6 superior cabins with double beds. All cabins are spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin and all cabins have private shower and toilet. ”Ortelius” offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 108 on the “Ortelius”, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.

Specifications

Registered: The Netherlands

Length: 90.95 meters

Breadth: 17.20 meters
Draft: 5.4 meters Ice class: UL1 (equivalent to 1A)
Displacement: 4,090 tons
Propulsion: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
Average cruising speed: 10,5 knots
Passengers: 108 in 50 cabins
Crew, guides, doctor: 44 / 8 / 1
Various decks refurbished 2012-2017- 2019

Included

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programmed.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Parks and fees.
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).

Not Included

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Alcoholic Drinks.
Tips.

2 windows (minimum)
1 double bed
1 single (sofa) bed
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Safe deposit box
Hair dryer
Ample storage space

Payment calendar

$3,500 usd reservation 2023.
$3,500 usd march 2024.
$ Balance (Depending of cabin selection) November 2024.

What you must know

We’ll be very far from civilization, take your precautions accordingly. Passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of entry. It is a must to have an active travel and a DAN diving insurance. The weather here is extremely cold. Please bring the appropriate clothes and thermal protection necessary for such conditions. Sun protection such as glasses and sunscreen are advised as well as a swimsuit and a towel for the extra activities. Most importantly, make sure all your scuba gear is fully operational and in good condition. Make sure to give your equipment a full maintenance service if necessary, prior to the expedition.

Plan carefully to minimize your waste and trash. Whenever possible, choose rechargeable batteries and avoid bringing things like disposable razors, plastic bags, plastic water bottles, etc. We will be in some of the most pristine environments on the planet and our responsibility is to keep it that way.

Final Thoughts and Considerations

Polar diving is an equipment-intensive activity, and ice diving in particular requires extensive equipment due to the cold and remote locations. Divers in cold water may have higher air consumption, expend more energy, and become fatigued easier. Cold water also decreases your ability to perform complex manual tasks.

Do not bring any new equipment you have not tested in the water. The polar regions are not the place to test new equipment. Please make sure you have done at least four or five dives with your equipment. This will allow you to fine-tune your buoyancy, trim characteristics, and take note of how much weight you need when diving. The snorkel is a vital part of your safety equipment and will often be used when diving with seals and other wildlife.

Divers are expected to prepare their own equipment in advance of each dive and take care of it afterward. Bring spare parts for your regulators and dry suit in case of leaks or damage. We do not have rentals on board. Please make sure you check out all your dive gear before leaving. Bins are available for storage. Keep in mind while packing dive gear that you will need to carry your own equipment in and out of the Zodiac for filling and logistical changes.

Please get travel insurance! Participation in an expedition cruise is 100% at your own risk. In our travel documentation (specifically our personal information form for scuba diving), all passengers need to sign a liability statement in which they agree that company vessel and dive staff are exempt from responsibility for personal injury, dead and property damage, including loss of items. We cannot accept any liability claims.

Cancellation Policy (exclusively in writing) at any time before the beginning of the trip. In the case of cancellation, the following cancellation fees apply:

180 days prior to departure: 20% of the total price.
89 days up to and including 60 days prior to departure: 50% of the total price.
59 days up to and including the day of departure: 100% of the total price.

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Join the expedition

Expedition Leader

Ricardo Castillo

Ricardo Castillo is a professional photographer, instructor and expedition leader with more than 20 years of experience. Owner of Dive Rite Mexico and the recognized dive center Zotz in the Riviera Maya. He spends most of his life exploring, diving, and teaching everything from basic scuba to cave diving, mix gases and CCR. He organizes expeditions to take all the adventurers who dare to explore oceans and caves around the world, capturing unique moments through the lens of his camera. Whether it’s photo or video the end results are always breathtaking.

This journey as a photographer and diver has taken him through the world’s oceans and caves to places like South Africa, Mozambique, The Mediterranean Islands, Canary Islands, Maldi- ves, Antarctica, the Arctic, Iceland, Norway, the US Great Lakes, Cocos Island, Galapagos, Bahamas, Truk Lagoon, Hawaii, Cuba, Tonga, Fiji, Indonesia and countless trips along the coast, islands and submerged cave systems in Mexico.

He has participated in television documentaries and films about cave exploration, shipwrecks and sharks, with more than 7000 dives, with his deepest dive to around 450 feet and the coldest one at -1.7oC. Specialized in decompression, gas mixtures, nitrox, trimix, rebreathers, cave diving, as well as underwater photography and video. Highly qualified instructor of the NSS-CDS, PADI, TDI, IANTD and DAN agencies.