Antarctica Wildlife Adventure (embarks in Stanley)

Arrival of your transfer flight at the Falkland
Islands. Welcome to Stanley, the charmingly British
capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within
pleasant walking distance along the waterfront
promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum,
the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive
whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality
gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the
harbor. We provide a group transfer to the pier and
welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V
Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in
your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come.

The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland
Islands are a birders’ paradise. We anticipate
visiting one or more of the isolated outer islands on
the south of the archipelago which are particularly
important for their colonies of cormorants and
different breeding birds that have been recorded
there, including Magellanic, southern rockhopper,
macaroni and gentoo penguin. The Falklands are
also a great place to observe marine mammals. Fur
seals and elephant seals can be found on sandy
beaches while the waters in and around the
archipelago are home to various whale and dolphin species. Our route and exploration opportunities are
dependent on weather among these windswept islands.

From the Falkland Islands we head east toward
South Georgia, passing the remote, seabird-covered
pinnacles known as Shag Rocks on the way. We
also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological
boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, biosecurity procedures, and lectures from our expert
staff prepare you for our arrival in South Georgia.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on the weather conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by nature in this wild and remote corner of the world. We take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this amazing place.

South Georgia is a scenic wilderness and an unrivaled paradise for subantarctic wildlife viewing. The islands are said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels and terns. On beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins including stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program is sure to make this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Grytviken is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer.

Our days in South Georgia are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

After our amazing time in South Georgia we
proceed southwest toward the Antarctic Peninsula.
Pelagic seabirds including the majestic albatross
are common in these waters and can readily be
viewed from panoramic open decks or from exterior
stateroom windows and balconies.

The wilderness of Antarctica is subject to unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which dictate our route and exploration opportunities. This is a real expedition. We exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, amazing scenery, and excursions via Zodiac.

The Antarctic Peninsula region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and some of Antarctica’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Protected bays and narrow channels are surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to a variety of whale and seal species. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large nesting colonies at special places on land. The area is also home to Antarctic research stations of various nationalities.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first sighting of land. This wild and beautiful island chain contains numerous landing sites with abundant wildlife and historical significance. Among them is Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition spent the winter.

It is now time to head north across the Drake Passage toward South America, though the adventure is not quite over. We are always on the lookout for marine mammals and seabirds in these wild waters. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. Finally, as we enter the calm Beagle Channel, we enjoy a night of smooth sailing toward Ushuaia.

After breakfast we say farewell in the city of Ushuaia, where we started. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the town center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!