Marine Mammals of the Antarctic

Antarctic Peninsula

This voyage features the abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula, including the classic sites of historic and scientific interest. Spot penguins, seals and seabirds and admire the spectacular beauty of the Antarctic coastline with its mountains, glaciers and icebergs. Landing on the continent itself is a memorable highlight, where you’ll explore the iconic sights that make this one of the world’s most pristine, exotic and unforgettable natural environments

Perfect for first time visitors to Antarctica.

Witness and explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula

Be aboard a luxury ice strengthened vessel

Learn about the environment and wildlife from onboard lecturers and specialists

Witness the abundant wildlife - penguins, elephant seals, whales and more!

Join special experts for a unique 14-day expedition focusing on Marine Mammals. As the Antarctic summer comes to a close in March, migratory whale species like the Humpback are very active, socializing and feeding in preparation for the long journey ahead. Resident whale species like the Minke and Orca are abundant, and we stand a good chance of encountering Southern Right whales and some of the larger pelagic species. Leopard seals are also very busy in March, hunting naïve penguin chicks as they mature, develop their waterproof feathers, and make their first journeys to the sea. We’ll see all this action close-up; from Zodiacs, on shore landings, and from the deck and observation platform of Hebridean Sky. Photographers and videographers will have ample opportunities to capture stunning images, and those of us with scientific interests will be thrilled to work with the Citizen Science team, contributing data and images to a variety of active marine mammal research projects.

Early Booking Offer

EARLYBIRD SAVINGS 2020/21 Season - Book before 31 October 2019!

Standard: $1,000 per person – Window Suites
Premium: $1,250 per person – Promenade & Deluxe Suites
Premiere: $1,500 per person – Veranda, Penthouse, & Owner’s Suites

CONTACT US FOR DETAILS!

Stewart's Take

See the abundant whales and marine mammals in the late Antarctic summer Antarctica

Overview

This voyage features the abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula, including the classic sites of historic and scientific interest. Spot penguins, seals and seabirds and admire the spectacular beauty of the Antarctic coastline with its mountains, glaciers and icebergs. Landing on the continent itself is a memorable highlight, where you’ll explore the iconic sights that make this one of the world’s most pristine, exotic and unforgettable natural environments.

Complimentary Pre-Arrival Day! Don’t sweat flight delays or missed connections when you begin your adventure a day early by taking advantage of our optional free pre-arrival night at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Enjoy the spa, wander the trails, or unwind and soak in the surroundings. Day 1, Ushuaia: Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today, or take advantage of our complimentary flexible arrival program and arrive up to 24 hours in advance. You’ll be staying at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Explore the trails, take a spa, relax and soak in the surroundings, or head into Ushuaia and browse the Argentinean leather markets. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers. Enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast in the morning. Day 2, Embarkation: This morning, we’re free to explore Ushuaia or unwind at the resort until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. On board, we’ll be greeted by our Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers. A concise safety and orientation briefing will be followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, we’ll relax and take in the scenery on our early evening sail through the Beagle Channel, past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies. Day 3-4, Drake Passage: Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Our experts will hold informative and entertaining presentations on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held in the comfortable lounge. The length of our journey depends on sea conditions, but we should approach the South Shetland Islands in the evening of Day 4. We will keep especially keen watch for Pelagic whales as we approach the nutrient rich upwelling areas of the Continental Shelf. Day 5-7, Antarctica: Exploring the South Shetland Islands, we may visit Half Moon Island with its stunning backdrop of mountainous and glaciated Livingston Island. Or perhaps we will sail the ship into an active volcano with an opportunity to take a dip in the relatively balmy waters that surround Deception Island. Bransfield Strait, once the site of an abandoned whaling station, gives us an excellent chance to see whales, who often return to its rich waters. In the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, our Expedition Leader, Captain, and Marine Mammal experts will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and previous sightings to maximize our whale watching opportunities, while also exploring some of the lesser travelled areas of the Peninsula. We will aim for the most scenic bays and channels, with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. Days 8-11 - Antarctica Heading further South, we will be sure to explore the Gerlache Strait and its surrounding channels and islands. This may include trips to picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. At this time of year, most areas have amazing marine mammal viewing opportunities with Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the assertive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors during this season and Orca sightings are also common Day 12-13, Drake Passage: As we leave this magical place and make our way north, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, we will continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting. Sailing back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow. Day 14, Ushuaia disembarkation: Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure. Note: The captain and expedition team will do everything possible to complete the voyage as outlined in the voyage itinerary. However itineraries in polar regions are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions. Occasionally conditions and or safety concerns require Itinerary changes. The Captain and expedition team will accordingly make every effort to find the best alternative to the original itinerary while keeping passengers informed and updated.

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Expedition Vessel: M/V Hebridean Sky

Hebridean Sky was built in 1991 in Italy and underwent extensive refitting and modernization in 2005 and again in 2016. In all ways she is an excellent expedition ship—equipped like a classic luxury yacht with attractive, spacious cabins and stylish common areas, all outfitted with an eye for details. In all, there are 57 cabins, of which 12 are suites with their own balconies, on the ship. With a crew of 70 persons the service on board is unsurpassed, and as icing on the cake the ship's cooks provide for exquisite culinary indulgence in the ship's restaurant. The ship has a large lounge, in which the trip organizers hold informational meetings and lectures, and a great deal of outdoor deck space from which we can enjoy both whales and unique nature between landfalls. On the ship there are a number of Zodiac rubber boats, which are used for most landings, as it only possible to dock a few places.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included

One night hotel accommodations in embarkation city
Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation
Group transfer from ship to airport or central location at disembarkation
Shipboard accommodations
All scheduled Landings / excursions
All meals onboard
Coffee/tea/cocoa 24 hours daily
Welcome/Farewell cocktail
House wine / beer / soft drink with dinner
Expedition jacket (yours to keep)
A pair of boots for use during the voyage
Wifi from the public computers in the library
Daily international news service
All port fees
Digital Voyage Log
In Penthouse, Veranda, Deluxe, Single and Promenade categories: champagne and chocolates on arrival, complimentary mini-bar, and $100 Gift Shop certificate

Excluded

Any airfare or travel expenses associated with arrival in Ushuaia or Buenos Aires
Arrival transfer from airport to group hotel in Ushuaia or Buenos Aires
Pre or post voyage expenses in Ushuaia or Buenos Aires
Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board
Alcohol and soft drinks onboard (except as listed above in inclusions)
Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls, wi fi from personal devices
Staff gratuities

Deposits - Reservations require a deposit of $1500 per person at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card. Bookings within 120 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments - Balances are due 90 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by calling us (final payment cannot be made online) and may be paid by major credit card, bank transfer or check. Cancellations - All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. Cancellations received 90 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less a fee of $750 per person. If cancellation occurs less than 90 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Booking Terms - Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Polar Latitudes and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking.

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