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You
can be one of just a handful of divers
to dive with Arctic Penguins and
Leopard Seals.
It's a new frontier - and a world of incomparable beauty.
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A note from Dom |
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There are scientists who tell us that both the Arctic &
the Antarctic may be fast disappearing, which
gives all of us good
reason to glimpse them while they are still
at their finest - and then to spread the word, based on
personal experience, about why it's so important to act
responsibly to protect this fragile environment.
There are now more than 20
vessels that offer programs to the Antarctic Peninsula .
. . and several that go to the
Arctic . . . but if you only venture to either
destination once in a lifetime, then you want to make
sure you are on
the right boat, with a small group and the best guides
available.
I've been lucky to have long-term relationships
with the operators listed on this page & I know beyond
the shadow
of a doubt that I'm recommending only the best to you.
For both land and diving voyages, I recommend
both
Waterproof Expeditions and
Oceanwide Expeditions
for all travelers
. . . while for truly intrepid &
avid wildlife photographers, a trip with our
friend,
Amos Nachoum, one of
his heart-pounding
Big Animals Epic Wildlife
Expeditions might be just the ticket.
Read more about
Waterproof Expeditions
and
Oceanwide Expeditions
below and visit our page dedicated to
Amos's
trips by clicking here
>>>
All of these trips represent extraordinary diving and
unforgettable lifetime experiences. Are you ready
for the wild side?
If you are, I'm simply a
click
away . . . .
Cheers, Dom |
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ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC
An Overview |
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ANTARCTIC |
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The dive sites will vary from shallow ice
diving, diving along a wall, from a beach or
from the zodiac. The maximum depth is around 20
meters / 60 feet.
While snorkelling or diving along the ice-floes,
you will be amazed and never forget these deep
blue colours. Diving in Antarctica does not only
offer ice, but also an interesting marine life,
such as kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea
butterflies, various Antarctic fish, shrubby
horse-tails, jelly-fishes, sea-hedgehogs,
starfishes, krill and giant isopods. You may
have the possibility to snorkel or dive with Fur
seals, Leopard seals,
Humpback Whales
and Penguins.
For the advanced
diver this is truly a unique experience. You
will see amazing ice formations and marine life
seemingly from another planet, such as the Giant
Isopods and salps. Seals race fearlessly by &
sunlight from above creates a stunning,
ever-changing spectrum of color underwater.
Take
your time to explore an environment few diver
have ever experienced: the kelp walls, sea
snails, crabs, sea butterflies, Shrubby
horsetails, jellyfish, squid, Sea hedgehogs,
starfish, krill and various Antarctic fish.
The dive operation
relies on more than 15 years of experiences in
Polar diving and is organized by polar dive
experts who have experienced many extreme
situations in the field.
For
schedules, click here >>> |
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ARCTIC / SPITSBERGEN |
In the Atlantic waters you
will have the regular zodiac
diving as well as wreck
diving. The dives in the
Polar areas vary from
shallow ice diving, near or
under the ice-floes (approx.
30 feet) to shore diving,
approximately 30 to 60 feet.
The combination of sunlight,
sea water and the often
extraordinary formations of
ice, causes an overwhelming,
ever-changing spectre of
colours, with a fantastic
variety of shades and
brilliance.
You will be amazed by the
colors and the marine life
such as sea squirts, squat
lobsters, many species of
star fish, spider crabs,
soft corals, anemones,
peacock worms, and dogfish.
For the advanced diver, Spitsbergen is an
amazing experience. The kelp beds of north and
east Spitsbergen offer protection to sea-bottom
life such as sea anemones, jelly-fish,
sea-hedgehogs, sea stars, sea snails, sea
cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs and fish.
See details below of a March
2012 Arctic trip at a special price . . .
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OCEANWIDE
EXPEDITIONS |
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In June 1997, a group of 24 scuba divers from
the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland
and the United States joined us for a special
expedition: Ice Diving in the Arctic waters of
Spitsbergen.
This successful exploration voyage was followed
by an additional Arctic voyage in June 1998 and
a new challenge in November of the same year:
the very first commercial Antarctic diving
expedition to the Falklands and the Antarctic.
Today, Antarctica cruises as well as cruises to
the Arctic are what Oceanwide Expeditions is
specialized in. Besides these Antarctic and
Arctic destinations to several remote North and
mid-Atlantic islands.
Details of trips coming soon. See
Availability for dates. |
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WATERPROOF
EXPEDITIONS |
Waterproof Expeditions specialises in unique
photography, diving, snorkelling, and cruise
experiences to some of the world’s most remote
and exotic destinations.
Ideal for explorers and divers alike, all trips
are designed around the element of water –
underwater, above and beyond. From ice-diving in
Antarctica’s polar waters to underwater filming
in the Canadian Arctic.
Details of trips coming soon. See
Availability for dates. |
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Photo credits: Walrus, Magnus Elander;
Photographer & Seal, Goran Ehlme; Hydrozoaires,
Francois Deriberolles
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ARCTIC PENINSULA TRIP - 20%
OFF
Oceanwide Expeditions
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Voyage south to the frozen desert of
Antarctica where the cold nutrient rich
waters create a busy feeding ground for
whales and other cetaceans. Expect to see
Humpback, Minke and Orca whales and perhaps
some of the less frequently seen species such as
Fin, Southern Bottlenose, Right and Sperm.
Other cetaceans include the Hourglass, Peale’s and
Commerson’s dolphins.
In addition to the
marine life, Antarctica in the summer is
home to penguins, several seal species and a
variety of seabirds including the
albatross. Join us for this special whale
safari to an ocean world of marine wildlife.
20% Discount
March 20 - 29, 2012
(10-day/9-night) Antarctic Peninsula
Prices per person in Euros
Polar diving and kayaking activities
Photo workshop
Antarctic historic and research stations
Oceanwide Expeditions, is the Winner of the
17th Annual
World Travel
Awards
2010
in
the category "World's Leading Polar
Expedition Operator".
We simply cannot
recommend them highly enough.
Contact us
at Dive Advice Travel for more
information or to book a place on this
spectacular trip.
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SAMPLE ITINERARY
- Oceanwide
Expeditions Trip
PLA31
Day
1: Ushuaia - Embark
in Ushuaia, Tierra
del Fuego,
Argentina, the
southernmost city in
the world.
Days
2 & 3: at sea –
Transiting the Drake
Passage, we cross
the Antarctic
Convergence and into
the circum-Antarctic
up welling zone
where we see many
species of
seabirds including
albatross. Keep a
close watch for the
first icebergs.
Days
4 - 7: Antarctica -
We will sail
directly to “High
Antarctica“. On
Cuverville Island,
is a large colony of
Gentoo Penguins and
breeding pairs of
Brown Skuas.
If
we land on Danco
Island we can
observe Chinstrap
Penguins and
possibly Weddell and
Crabeater Seals.
Neko Harbour is a
continental landing
with a magnificent
glacier landscape.
Zodiac cruise
between the icebergs
in the deep cut
fjords en route to
Paradise Bay. This
is a particularly
good area to see
Humpback
Whales and Minke
Whales.
Once through
the Neumayer
Channel, we plan to
visit the British
research station and
post office at Port
Lockroy on Goudier
Island and
Jougla Point with
Gentoo penguins and
Imperial Shags.
Through the
spectacular Lemaire
Channel and on to
Pleneau and
Petermann Island
where we can find
Adelie Penguins and
Blue-eyed Shags. In
this area there are
good chances to
encounter Humpback
Whales, Minke Whales
and Fin Whales.
A
visit to a
scientific stations
in Antarctica (such
as the Ukranian
Vernadsky Station)
gives an insight
into the life of
modern Antarcticans
working on the White
Continent.
Sailing north
through Neumayer
Channel we arrive at
the Melchior Islands
with a very
beautiful landscape
with icebergs, where
we may encounter
Leopard Seals,
Crabeater Seals and
whales.
Days
8 - 9: at sea –
Re-crossing the
Drake Passage a
constant watch is
kept for seabirds
and marine life
including whales.
Day 10: Ushuaia –
Arrive in the
morning to
disembark.
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Phototographers: Magnus Elander
(zodiac) Rinie van Meurs (bears)
Peter Szyszka (boat & mountains)
Goran Elhme (seal)
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