A seeming wasteland; a frozen desert; a place that at first glance seems to be devoid of life; Antarctica is a place very few people ever get to visit. While life on land is minimal, below the water’s surface, creatures beyond imagination thrive in abundance. For divers who have a desire to don a drysuit and layers of thermal protection, this is a strange yet fantastic paradise. Getting to Antarctica can be a challenge, though; and, what in the world does one bring along for a holiday in such an unlikely destination? Here are some valuable pointers to help you plan for your very own expedition.
Antarctica: The Continent
Despite the wealth of frozen water that covers so much of the continent, Antarctica is a desert; one of the driest places on earth. Very little precipitation falls here, so little in fact, that a gold bust of Lenin at an abandoned Soviet station located at the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility still rises up from the snow. Scientific teams and a few visitors who manage to make it to this point can sign a golden logbook located inside the station.
The continent is divided into five major regions; all but the South Pole offer access to diving:
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The Antarctic Peninsula – The most popular destination, which features several manned research stations, the majesty of the Antarctic Andes, and even island hot springs, it includes Deception Island, Whaler’s Bay, Port Lockroy, Palmer Station, Paradise Harbor, and Paulet Island, and many other destinations, including Cierva Cove, where sleek leopard seals lounge on ever-changing ice floes.
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East Antarctica – Vast and remote, and rarely accessed by tourists, this area features Enderby Land and the Enderby Land Coast Range Mountains, which can be seen from the Indian Ocean, along with Queen Mary Land, Princess Elizabeth Land, Wilkes Land, and more; most of these areas are most notable for their vast, towering ice cliffs and rugged mountain views.
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Ross Sea – Often visited by cruise ships departing from New Zealand and Australia, the Ross Sea offers nearly unparalleled opportunities to view such animals as penguins and seals. Mount Erebus, the world’s southernmost active volcano rises up to a height of 3,795 meters, and Mount Kirkpatrick to a height of 4,528 meters. Both mountains are climbable during the summer months and though hard to reach, can be an exciting addition to an Antarctic expedition.
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West Antarctica – Rarely visited, this portion of the continent falls into the western hemisphere, and features Mount Sidley, Antarctica’s highest extinct volcano at 4,181 meters, and Mount Vinson (Vinson Massif) which at a height of 4,892 meters, is Antarctica’s highest point. In addition, the Bentley Subglacial Trench is located here, and at 2,555 meters below sea level, is the world’s lowest point not covered by oceans. Approximately the size of Mexico, this trench is covered by impenetrable ice, which if melted, would place it miles underwater.
Special Points of Interest
While the Antarctic is vast, some areas are considerably easier to access than others and even offer some amenities. At Tierra del Fuego, for example, you’ll find Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, which features some excellent wrecks and is home to more than 200 species of seabirds. Other points of interest include:
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South Shetland Islands, which are approximately 120 kilometers north of the Antarctic Peninsula; this is an area where humidity is higher and where wildlife is abundant.
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South Georgia, where sealers and whalers once had bases, is also the site of Cumberland Bay, King Edward Cove, Grytviken and Shackleton’s Grave, along with Salisbury Plain and Right Whale Bay. Marine life and fish are here in abundance; king penguins, albatross, and other birds make their homes here, as well.
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Lemaire Channel, a strait located between Kiev Peninsula and Booth Island, is one place most visitors to the continent long to see. Nicknamed Kodak Gap, it features towering cliffs and is filled with glistening icebergs you can sometimes dive around. Well sheltered, even when waters outside are turbulent, this magnificent area is accessed from Ushuaia and is home to a wealth of marine life and birds.
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Historic Port Lockroy, once the site of British secret operations, is now home to Antarctica’s only public post office, along with a museum; both are operated by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. At the museum, you can see food rations and other paraphernalia used by Antarctic explorers and scientists.
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The Falkland Islands, which lie in the South Atlantic Ocean, have often been disputed territory; still, they’re a wonderful gateway to Antarctica, with beautiful Victorian buildings and a subarctic climate that provides for an abundance of life. One of the few places where medical care is available, the Falklands are a bustling place where most ships stop on their way in or out of Antarctica itself.
Travel Considerations
If you hope to dive in Antarctica, be prepared for cold weather, even if you plan to arrive at the height of summer. Most trips involve rough sea crossings in vessels equipped with ice breaking hulls, and private tourism excursions normally take place only during the Austral summer, between November and March.
While there were once only a few companies that offered Antarctic expeditions geared toward tourists, there are now a number of reputable companies which are well-equipped and familiar with the continent. Prices can be exorbitant, depending on the length of your visit and the number of amenities offered. Most companies have waiting lists since space is limited, and travel is seasonal, meaning you’ll have some time to assemble plenty of redundant gear and log some cold weather dives to prepare yourself for the conditions you’ll certainly encounter as you dive in the clear, pristine waters that surround the continent.
Unlike other liveaboard trips that take you to areas where dive sites are never at risk of being iced over, Antarctic cruise ships and yachts tend to offer many additional activities and cater to a well-rounded group of adventurers. Activities like hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching are all part of an adventure in the Antarctic.
With amazing marine life, fantastic hospitality, and 24 hours of daylight, the icy Antarctic is one of the most incredible places you may ever visit. Choosing a travel company well in advance and stocking up on warm clothing, breaking in equipment, and preparing for contingencies are vital to enjoyment; learn all you can before you go, and you’ll find your experience is both unforgettable and amazing.