Antarctic Peninsula

In March of 2016 I travelled to the Antarctic for the first time. It was an amazing experience I want to repeat sometime in the near future. I chose the former Russian research vessel Akademic Sergej Vavilov, one of One Ocean’s ships, due to its relatively small size. In Antarctica landings are not allowed to more than 100 people at one time so with larger ships tourists have to wait their turn which I wanted to avoid.

Unfortunately, even though I am an avid kayaker, I did not get to kayak in the Antarctic, due to my late registration. This proved to be less of a problem as I got to take some great photos in paradise bay from a zodiac that would not have been possible had I been in a kayak. I was happy with the service One Ocean provided. I never felt unsafe and everything was organized very well. I was especially lucky to be on a trip with some very interesting and fun people.

The only thing that I didn’t like is that of the 11 day expedition, only 5 days were spent around the Antarctic peninsula. When you spend so much time crossing the infamous Drake Passage, you should spend more time down there. I am looking into experiencing the Antarctic peninsula in a smaller boat with the opportunity to spend more time in those magical iceberg filled bays where the silence is only broken by the rhythmic breathing of a pod of whales.

Of the 5 days we spent around the Antarctic peninsula, only 3 were good weather wise. Therefore, most of the images you see below were taken during those days. I wonder what kind of pictures I would end up with if I spent a couple of weeks in this magical place.

Unfortunately, we missed the Lemaire Channel (blocked by Icebergs) and couldn’t land at Deception Island due to high winds, still it was one of the best trips I have done so far.

Antarctic Peninsula – March 21-25, 2016
Vessel: Akademik Sergej Vavilov (One Ocean)

21.03.2016 Cierva Cove (N. Gerlache Strait)
21.03.2016 Mikkelsen Harbour (Trinity Island)
22.03.2016 Wilhelmina Bay (Gerlache Strait)
23.03.2016 Almirante Brown Antarctic Base (Antarctic Continent)
23.03.2016 Paradise Bay (Antarctic Continent)
24.03.2016 Cuverville Island (Gerlache Strait)
25.03.2016 Hannah Point (Livingston Island)