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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 dedicated diving voyages, I recommend either
Waterproof Expeditions . . . and for the
truly intrepid &
avid wildlife photographers, a trip with our
friend,
Amos Nachoum, on one of
his heart-pounding
Big Animals Epic Wildlife
Expeditions might be just the ticket.
Read more about
Waterproof Expeditions
below, and see their current newsletter by clicking here
>>>
( their dates & rates by clicking here
>>> )
and visit our page dedicated to
Amos's
trips by clicking here
>>>
Cheers, Dom |
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PADI
Polar Diving |
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WATERPROOF EXPEDITIONS
Waterproof is
also offering the unique opportunity to become one
of the first certified Polar Divers in the world.
The Polar Diver Specialty Course can only be taken
with Waterproof Expeditions - in Antarctica, below
the Antarctic Convergence or below 60 degrees - or
in the Arctic, above the Arctic Circle.
To qualify for the Polar Diver course you
must:
1. Be certified as a PADI Advanced
Open Water Diver - or have a qualifying
certification from another training organization
2. Be 18 years of age or older
3.
Show proof of experience in dry suit diving or be
certified as a PADI Dry Suit Diver
The purpose of this certification is to
familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge,
planning, organization, procedures, techniques,
hazards and excitement of diving in the Polar areas.
Cost for the Polar Diver Course is $250.
Contact us for details & the
most updated
availability.
Many thanks to Goran Ehlme & Francis
Deriberolles for the photos!
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ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC
An Overview |
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ANTARCTIC |
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Waterproof Expeditions effectively runs two
trips, each with their own dedicated guide(s) -
land trips & diving trips. For the topside
explorers, this means much smaller groups on a
landing site or on a zodiac cruise of an area
than is normally possible.
For example, this last season there were between
10 & 16 guests on landings & zodiac cruises,
compared with 45 or more for a 'normal'
expedition vessel. And, there is
always have a zodiac ready for those explorers
who do not wish to dive, but who like to go for
a long hike or take their time for topside
photography.
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 waters of the Southern Ocean also support an
economically important world fishery of fin
fish, squid and krill, and the waters of the
Southern Ocean affect all other world oceans
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.
One of the most important elements is
snorkelling, as some of the best encounters with
large mammals, including Leopard seals and
Humpback Whales, will be experienced through
snorkelling.
For information on the vessel, click here
>>>.
To see the current Waterproof Newsletter,
click here
>>>
For
schedules & rates, click here
>>> |
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ARCTIC / SPITSBERGEN |
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For dive and photography expeditions to
Spitsbergen Waterproof Expeditions uses
ice-strengthened polar vessels for the
exploration of Svalbard's environment. The
trips offer diving, kayaking, and land
expeditions. Truly a unique experience for the
advanced divers, photographers and adventurous
travellers.
As in the Antarctic, these trips are essentially
two trips in one - each with their own dedicated
guides. One trip is underwater for experienced
polar divers and one is topside for the
‘explorers’.
For the 'explorers' the groups are delightfully
small at a landing site or on a zodiac cruise,
often between 10-20 guests, compared with 100 or
much more for 'normal' expedition vessels.
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, sea stars, sea
cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimps and fish.
Diving is in a controlled environment around
small grounded icebergs, diving from the shore,
a zodiac or an ice shell.
Waterproof Expeditions has exclusively developed
the
Padi Polar Diver Specialty,
only available on our trips below 60 degrees
south (Antarctica) and above the Arctic Circle.
For
schedules & rates, click here >>> |
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NORTH POLE |
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For an even more adventurous and select
group of very experienced divers, we offer the ultimate diving experience:
Diving at the North Pole.
Diving at the geographical North Pole is difficult, and requires special
training. No more than a handful of people in the world have ever dived at the
North Pole.
The North Pole expedition means bumpy flights, camp life in extreme cold. But
also unforgettable diving among castles under the ice that go down dozens of
metres in the fantastically clear water. The impressions from this demanding
adventure will stay with you for the rest of your life.
This unique Diving Expedition to the North Pole is only for divers with serious
experience of ice diving. The expedition will require the concentrated efforts
of all the participants for the performance of valuable, interesting and safe
diving at the closest point possible to the North Pole.
For
schedules & rates, click here >>> |
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ANTARCTIC 2011 |
Schedule and rates for 2011
04
15 |
Feb
Feb |
2011
2011 |
Antarctica Dive & Photography
Expeditions
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Triple Standard cabin
|
4335 |
EUR |
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Twin Standard cabin |
5395 |
EUR |
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Twin Private cabin |
6160 |
EUR |
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Mini Suite |
6765 |
EUR |
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Suite |
7390 |
EUR |
|
Dive Package |
825 |
EUR |
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15
26 |
Feb
Feb |
2011
2011 |
Antarctica Dive & Photography
Expeditions
|
|
Triple Standard cabin |
4335 |
EUR |
|
Twin Standard cabin |
5395 |
EUR |
|
Twin Private cabin |
6160 |
EUR |
|
Mini Suite |
6765 |
EUR |
|
Suite |
7390 |
EUR |
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Dive Package |
825 |
EUR |
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Rates include |
- Accomodation in twin cabin and full board
while on the vessel
- Dive compressor, tanks, weights and belts
(you need to bring your own personal dive
gear)
- Leadership by our experienced Expedition
Leader and Polar Dive Master
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port
charges throughout the program |
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Rates do not include |
- International or domestic flights
- Excess baggage charges on flight
- Your personal dive equipment
- All items of a personal nature such as
laundry, meals ashore, bar, beverage and
telecommunication charges
- Gratuities
- Pre- and post-voyage packages with air and
hotel available upon request |
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Notes |
Rates are per person based on twin
occupancy. Single cabins are available at
1,7 rate. All cabins are smoke-free.
Emergency evacuation insurance and dive
insurance is mandatory |
For information on the vessel, click here
>>>. |
Photo credits below: Walrus, Magnus Elander;
Photographer & Seal, Goran Ehlme; Hydrozoaires,
Francois Deriberolles; |
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SPITSBERGEN - 2011 |
The Arctic is a place where everything seems bigger,
glaciers mirror the sunset, setting fire to mountain
tops and nothing can prepare the traveler for his or
her first sight of the indisputable King of the
Arctic on the sea ice: the Polar Bear.
Waterproof is
offering
ten-night
circumnavigations of
Norway’s Svalbard
archipelago and the
trips are designed
for both the diver
and
exploration-oriented
non-diver, as well.
All excursions
provide incomparable
experiences above
and below water.
11
21 |
Jul
Jul |
2011
2011 |
Circumnavigating Svalbard
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| Triple Standard cabin |
3770 |
EUR |
| Twin Standard cabin |
4740 |
EUR |
| Twin Private cabin |
5565 |
EUR |
| Mini Suite |
6115 |
EUR |
| Suite |
6570 |
EUR |
| Dive Package |
625 |
EUR |
| Kayaking Package |
590 |
EUR |
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21
31 |
Jul
Jul |
2011
2011 |
Circumnavigating Svalbard
|
| Triple Standard cabin |
3770 |
EUR |
| Twin Standard cabin |
4745 |
EUR |
| Twin Private cabin |
5565 |
EUR |
| Mini Suite |
6115 |
EUR |
| Suite |
6570 |
EUR |
| Dive Package |
625 |
EUR |
| Kayaking Package |
590 |
EUR |
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31
10 |
Jul
Aug |
2011
2011 |
Circumnavigating Svalbard
|
| Triple cabin |
3770 |
EUR |
| Standard cabin |
4745 |
EUR |
| Twin Private cabin |
5565 |
EUR |
| Superior cabin |
6115 |
EUR |
| Suite |
6570 |
EUR |
| Diving package |
625 |
EUR |
| Kayaking package |
590 |
EUR |
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Rates
include |
Full board
and
shipboard
accommodation
in your
choice of
cabin
occupancy
and
category;
All landings
and
excursions
by Zodiac
according to
the daily
onboard
program;
Dive
compressor,
tanks,
weights and
belts (you
need to
bring your
own personal
dive gear);
Leadership
throughout
the voyage
by our
experienced
Expedition
Leader and
Polar Dive
Master;
All
miscellaneous
service
taxes and
port charges
throughout
the program.
|
|
Rates do
not include |
Your
personal
dive
equipment;
Airfare &
Airport tax
and
arrival/departure
taxes;
The
customary
gratuity to
the ship‘s
crew;
Excess
baggage;
Pre-and post
voyage
packages
with air,
hotel are
available
upon
request. |
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General
Notes |
All rates
are quoted
per person
in EURO,
based on
twin
occupancy.
Please note
that all
dates &
rates are
subject to
change. The
voyage will
operate
subject to a
minimum of
30
participants..
All cabins
are
smoke-free.
Emergency
evacuation
insurance
and dive
insurance is
mandatory. |
Contact Dive Advice for details.
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Phototographers: Magnus Elander
(zodiac) Rinie van Meurs (bears)
Peter Szyszka (boat & mountains)
Goran Elhme (seal)
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10
20 |
Apr
Apr |
2011
2011 |
North
Pole
Diving
|
| The expedition will take place over 8-10 days in April. |
32857 |
EUR |
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Rates
include |
Air
travel*
=>
Accommodation
at
the
ice
camp;
=>
Diving
programme
at
the
North
Pole;
=>
Compulsory
ice
diving
practice
in
the
White
Sea.
(Including
accommodation,
transportation
by
train
in 4
berth
compartment
from
Moscow,
transfers
in
Chupa)
*On
international
flights
there
may
be a
significant
excess
baggage
charge,
which
the
expedition
participants
must
pay
independently.
*
The
flight
cost
may
vary
depending
on
the
carrier |
|
Contact Dive Advice for details.
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Oceanwide Expeditions
|
Oceanwide
Expeditions will take you to the Arctic and Antarctic
regions.
You can expect to see many of the
arctic creatures on these expeditions, including polar
bears, various species of whales, penguins, seals,
walrus and plenty of sea birds.
The
expedition ships are specially built for arctic
conditions and carry all the most updated technology to
safely navigate through the icy waters. You’ll be
ferried to land & sea destinations on Zodiacs and your
guides will always be searching for great photo sites
for you.
Oceanwide is a member of the
International Association of Antarctic Tour operators (IAATO),
a member organization founded in 1991 to advocate,
promote and practice safe and environmentally
responsible private sector travel to the Antarctic.
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