Basecamp Antarctica

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway, followed by seabirds.

During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage and encounter a variety of seabirds - these can include wandering, grey-headed, black-browed and the beautiful light-mantled sooty albatross, southern fulmars, Wilson's storm, blue, Cape and Antarctic petrels. We also look out for whales and, as we near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.

We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. The basecamp concept enables us to visit places where we hope to stay for longer than normal in order to conduct our activities. Several fantastic localities offer great opportunities for this and may include:

Neumayer Channel, where we may position our ship for the multi activity basecamp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island may become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment, there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, per zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shoreline, and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland. All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions.

We hope to visit the old British research station, now working museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island.

Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo penguins and Blue-eyed shags. We look out for Leopard seals, Crabeater seals and whales.

If the ice conditions and time allows us, we may sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pléneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adélie penguins and Blue-eyed shags (normally not possible before New Year). In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback whales and Minke whales. The opportunities for kayaking, glacier walks or mountaineering that is more ambitious are excellent in this area.

Neko Harbour offers the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, walks, and kayak excursions. We may spend the night in Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore in one of several places good for camping. The area in and around Errera Channel is spectacular with possible sites for our activities like Danco Island and Cuverville Island and also lesser known, but equally great, sites such as Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island.

On our last day of near shore activities, we pass the Melchior Islands towards the open sea around noon. Keep a keen lookout for Humpback whales in Dallmann Bay. Alternatively, we may aim for Half Moon Island, South Shetlands, which offers a great opportunity for our activities. We depart from Antarctica around noon.

On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

We arrive in the morning and disembark after breakfast.