Useful Information about
Antarctic Cruises
This information relates to cruises onboard Akademik Ioffe
and Akademik Vavilov
All of our voyages begin in the ‘Town at the end of
the World’, Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina.
We sail down the Beagle Channel accompanied by albatrosses
and head into the Drake Passage. Once at sea, our informal
educational program consisting of presentations, discussions
and other fun activities gets under way.
As we continue south towards the Antarctic Peninsula we see
our first icebergs and then our first glimpse of Antarctica!
The western flank of the Antarctic Peninsula is a rugged,
mountainous spur flanked by ancient glaciers and massive ice
shelves that creep down to the water’s edge. In the
lee of the Peninsula lie dozens of islands, home to the greatest
concentration of wildlife on the continent, including Weddell
seals, Elephant seals, Skuas, Giant Petrels and rookeries
of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins.
We'll usually make our first landing in Antarctica late on
Day 3 of the cruise. Over the following days we make the most
of the long daylight hours, with several excursions each day,
weather permitting. With an emphasis on spending as much time
off the ship as possible, we’ll venture ashore to hike
or watch the wildlife, or cruise in the Zodiacs among the
icebergs and whales. No two voyages are the same, and you
can be as active or not as you please.
Our Falkland Islands and South Georgia itineraries extend
the experience to include the extraordinary wildlife and history
of the Sub-Antarctic. Homeward bound, we pass legendary Cape
Horn on our return to Ushuaia, our journey’s end.
| About
these Antarctic Cruises
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Travel with Polar Professionals
Between them, our leaders have made hundreds of polar
voyages and bring on board a diversity of interests including
zoology, polar history, geology, ornithology and ocean
sciences. Their knowledge and expertise shine through
our informal education program, with presentations and
discussions on all aspects of the polar experience.
Presentations take place in a comfortable, purpose-built
theatre on Deck 1 – the most stable and quiet area
of the ship. Sophisticated projection facilities assist
our educational experts, and there is a television monitor
that relays the view from the bridge. Our experts also
guide the frequent shore excursions.
Frequent Shore Excursions
We aim to spend as much time off the ship as possible.
With our fleet of sturdy, inflatable Zodiac boats, we
are able to disembark all passengers at once, swiftly,
easily and safely.
We normally break into small groups which share similar
interests – you choose which
group you’d like to go with at each outing.
While we carry up to 110 passengers, some passengers are
joining parallel programs, or pursuing specialised interests
such as sea kayaking or photography. This means we can
comfortably stay within the industry guidelines of 100
or less people ashore at a time, never requiring the inconvenience
of shuttles.
Support Environmentally Responsible Tourism
Our cruise company (Peregrine) is a Full Member of the
International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators
(IAATO – there is no equivalent body in the Arctic)
and, as such, has agreed to abide by some of the tourism
world’s most conscientious codes of conduct. We
go beyond ‘best practice’ in our polar operations.
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Hire
your wet weather gear on board so
you don't have to bring it from home! |
A SELECTION OF ANTARCTIC SITES WE MAY VISIT
This is a sample of some of the sites we
may visit during our expeditions to the
Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the
Antarctic Peninsula. Your expedition may
or may not include sites listed here. No
expedition will include all of the sites
listed.
FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS)
The archipelago consists of East and West
Falkland, divided by Falkland Sound. The
highest peak is Mount Usborne at 705 metres
(2312 feet), located north of Darwin settlement
on East Falkland.
Carcass Island (51° 17’ 0”
S, 60° 33’ 0” W)
West Falkland
The 8-kilometre (5-mile) island northwest
of West Falkland is owned by Rob and Lorraine
McGill. This is a picturesque island and
songbirds nest amongst the luxuriant growth
that covers the gently rolling landscape.
The island is named after a Royal Navy ship,
'HMS Carcass', which arrived there in 1766.
New Island
The most south-westerly island in the archipelago
is about 13 kilometres (8 miles) long and
800 metres (half a mile) wide. The western
side of the island is a cliff 183 metres
(600 feet) high, while the eastern side
slopes to the sea. The ownership of the
island is held by Tony Chater and Ian Strange.
Both men have turned their portion of the
island into nature reserves.
Stanley (51° 42’S, 57° 51’W)
East Falkland
The deep water harbour of Stanley has been
the economic mainstay of the Falklands communities
since the port was completed in 1845. Sailing
ships, damaged while rounding Cape Horn,
called in for expensive repairs, as did
the questionable vessels used to carry fortune
seekers to the gold fields of California
and Australia. The future of the port lays
in the hydrocarbon deposits off the coast.
West Point Island (51° 21’ S,
60° 41’ W)
West Falkland
The Napier family has owned the island since
the 1860s. Black-browed albatrosses nest
in colonies on cliffs along the water’s
edge on the western side of the island,
whilst rockhopper penguins also share the
habitat. Commerson’s dolphins are
often seen in the waters surrounding the
island.
SOUTH GEORGIA
South Georgia is roughly 160 kilometres
(100 miles) by 32 kilometres (20 miles).
The legendary Captain James Cook published
an account of his exploration of the area
recounting the abundance of seals and whales,
which inadvertently set off a rush of sealers
and whalers flocking to harvest the region.
Drygalski Fjord (54° 47’ S, 36°
03’W)
Southern Coast
Some of the peaks that rise straight out
of the sea were not subjected to glaciation,
resulting in their sharply-peaked formations.
Stonington Island (68° 11’S, 67°
00’W)
Marguerite Bay
Two abandoned research stations can be found
on the island. The first women to overwinter
in Antarctica were housed at East Base.
The British built Base E is about 200 metres
(656 feet) away from East Base, which was
built by the United States Antarctic Service
Expedition.
Waterboat Point (64° 49’S, 062°
51’W)
Paradise Bay
At low tide, Waterboat Point is connected
to the Antarctic mainland. Zodiacs are used
to explore the area when the tide is in.
Two scientists studying penguin behaviour
lived in a water boat on the point from
1921-22. The remains of their camp has been
designated an Antarctic historic site.
SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
The Bransfield Strait separates the archipelago
from the Antarctic Peninsula. The islands
stretch for 540 km (335 miles) from northeast
to southwest. In the 1820s sealers swept
the islands’ beaches of seals. When
the market collapsed the sealers retreated
and over time the seals have returned.
Aitcho Islands (62° 24’S, 059°
47’W)
English Strait
A group of small islands, some still unnamed,
situated in the northern entrance of English
Strait. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins have
established rookeries, where you may find
southern elephant and fur seals hauled out.
Baily Head (62° 58’S, 060°
30’W)
Deception Island
Also known as Rancho Point, Baily Head is
a rock headland on the south eastern shore
of Deception Island. Chinstrap penguins
build nests on slopes leading to a high
ridge that dominates the natural amphitheatre.
Half Moon Island (62° 36’S, 059°
55’W)
East side of Livingston Island
The crescent-shaped island was known to
sealers, if no one else, as early as 1821.
Sealers were notorious for keeping secret
the location of valuable sites. Many Antarctic
birds breed on the island – chinstrap
penguins, shags, Wilson’s storm-petrels,
kelp gulls, snowy sheathbills, Antarctic
terns and skuas.
Hannah Point (62° 39’S, 060°
37’W)
East side of Livingston Island
Macaroni, chinstrap, and gentoo penguin
rookeries are located on the point which
is on the south coast of Livingston Island.
Due to the rather congested area available
to the nesting penguins, visits can only
be made to this location from 10 January
onwards.
Pendulum Cove (62° 56’S, 060°
36’W)
Deception Island
Geothermally heated water is found along
the shoreline of this cove named for observations
made in 1829 by a British expedition. The
hot springs generate scalding water and
yellow algae and boiled krill may float
on the surface of the water.
Penguin Island (62° 06’S, 057°
54’W)
King George Bay, King George Island
Antarctica has two flowering plants, both
found on Penguin Island: Deschampsia antarctica
and Colobanthus quitensis. Chinstrap penguins,
fur seals and southern elephant seals use
the island for breeding purposes.
Robert Point (62° 28’S, 059°
23’W)
Robert Island
Sealers knew the point as early as 1820.
Chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, and pintado
breed here.
Telefon Bay (62° 56’S, 060°
40’W)
Deception Island
It is here that the most recent evidence
of volcanic eruption on Deception Island
can be seen.
Turret Point (62° 05’S, 057°
55’W)
King George Island
Chinstrap and Adélie penguin rookeries
are found on this point situated on the
south coast of King George Island. Fur,
southern elephant and Weddell seals haul
out on the rocky beaches.
Whaler’s Bay (62° 59’S,
060° 34’W)
Deception Island
To reach Whaler’s Bay it is necessary
to sail through a narrow passage called
Neptune’s Bellows. The bay was used
by whalers from 1906 to 1931 and is part
of a protected harbour created by a circular
flooded caldera. Rusting remains of whaling
operations can be seen on the beach. Watch
for steam that may rise from hot geothermally
heated water along the shoreline.
Yankee Harbour (62° 32’S, 059°
47’W)
Greenwich Island
Gentoo penguins have established a rookery
on this harbour which is situated on the
southwest side of Greenwich Island. There
is an abandoned Argentine refuge hut and
a large glacier can be seen along the east
and north sides of the bay. A historic sealing
trypot is all that remains of the activity
that brought men thousands of miles in tall
ships to seek their fortune
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Call us to check availability:
UK: 0845 226 2475
Overseas: +44 1756 693609
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| The Antarctic is a place of climatic
extremes. Each year the area of Antarctica doubles as
the pack ice in the seas surrounding the continent freezes
solid in winter.
The Antarctic summer (November to March) is the best
time to visit. The sea ice has retreated, so it is possible
to get to the continent itself and the wildlife is plentiful
and active. During summer on the Antarctic coast, the
daily temperature is usually about 0C to 5C.
Any time in summer is a good time to go and there is
always something to see.
In December you are more likely to
see massive icebergs in the water and for the ship to
have to crash through plates of ice on the water’s
surface – if you want spectacular ice, this is
the time to go. Penguins abound and are nesting their
eggs.
In January the penguins are hatching
and there will be plenty of action around the colonies
with penguin chicks galore and skuas circling overhead
waiting for the chance to swoop.
In February the mammals will be out
in force – seals, orcas, humpback whales and minke
whales abound.
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Wildlife and Ornithology
Bird and wildlife watching is the backbone
of all our expedition programs. Groups will
regularly head out in the company of world renowned naturalists
and ornithologists in
search of rare and interesting wildlife.
Camping
Camping ashore on the Antarctic ice is an
unforgettable experience. We provide all the gear and
you bring along a sense of adventure. It’s an optional
activity in Antarctica, and is included in the voyage
fare. Sea Kayaking
Experience Antarctica and the Arctic in their most serene
and tranquil state. We’ll take
up to 16 paddlers per voyage in Antarctica.
If you have experience in paddling and
are up for some nautical adventure,
then be sure to reserve your spot at
the time of booking your voyage. This
is an optional adventure package and
the cost includes kayaks, paddles, lifejackets
and drysuits. On one of our voyages
in Antarctica, you also have the option
of joining an overnight expedition.
Photography
The polar regions present some of the most spectacular
scenery and captivating wildlife on the planet. Even the
most casual ‘snappers’ get carried away! We
have photographic experts on board to answer your questions
– just remember to bring twice as much film as you
think you’ll need! If you have a passion for wilderness
and wildlife photography, join us for a special expedition.
We also have a multi-media centre on each ship, where
passengers can download their digital images and burn
CDs. |
View information about
Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Vavilov ships
 Back
to the Antarctic Cruises index
Gold Harbour (54° 37’ S, 35°
56’ W)
Eastern Coast
The backdrop to this harbour is the hanging
Bertrab Glacier. King penguins, gentoo penguins,
elephant seals and fur seals are known to
frequent the area.
Grytviken (54° 16’ 36”S,
36° 30’ 42”W)
Northern Coast
Only a handful of people live, albeit temporarily,
on South Georgia - a British overseas territory.
Two of them are curators of the South Georgia
Museum, located in the former whaling station
manager’s villa. The church was built
for the whaling community and is the only
building in Grytviken that is still being
used for its original purpose. The grave
of Sir Ernest Shackleton is located in the
whalers' cemetery.
Prion Island (54° 1’ S, 37°
15’ W)
Bay of Isles
Robert Cushman Murphy named the island after
a species of petrel that are seen there.
As well as prions, wandering albatross are
also known to nest on the island.
Salisbury Plain (54° 03’ S, 37°
19’ W)
Bay of Isles
One of the largest king penguin rookeries
on South Georgia is located on Salisbury
Plain, which is flanked by the Murphy and
Lucas Glaciers.
St. Andrew’s Bay (54° 26’
S, 36° 11’ W)
Eastern Coast
About 75,000 breeding pairs of king penguin
can be found at St. Andrew’s Bay.
It is probably the largest king penguin
rookery on South Georgia. Reindeers, introduced
by Norwegian whalers, are known to feed
on the grass in the area.
Stromness (54° 9’ 22” S,
36° 42’ 58” W)
Eastern Coast
This abandoned whaling station was in full
operation the day that Ernest Shackleton
and his companions staggered in after a
36-hour trek across the island of South
Georgia. There is a small cemetery with
the graves of 14 whalers.
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
The Antarctic Peninsula is an extension
of the Trans-Antarctic mountain chain. The
peninsula was formed from uplifted submarine
troughs that were filled with sediment about
220 million years ago and sits on a climate
divide. To the east it is exposed to the
frozen Weddell Sea, while the western shore
is warmed by the Southern Ocean and buffeted
by fierce winds.
Brown Bluff (63° 32’S, 056°
55’W)
Tabarin Peninsula
The bluff that dominates the landscape towers
745 metres (2225 feet) over Adélie
and gentoo penguin rookeries. It is thought
that Brown Bluff is the exposed portion
of a volcano.
Cuverville Island (64° 41’S,
062° 38’W)
Errera Channel
A gentoo penguin rookery is situated on
the north end of the island on a rocky beach
that extends to a steep cliff that absorbs
the summer sun. Southern giant petrels and
kelp gulls breed on the island.
Damoy Point (64° 49’S, 063°
32’W)
Wiencke Island
Located in the Palmer Archipelago, Damoy
Point is the northern entrance to the harbour
on which Port Lockroy is located. It is
located on the west side of Wiencke Island.
Danco Island (64° 44’S, 062°
37’W)
Errera Channel
The island is 1.6 km (one mile) in length.
At one time a British Antarctic Survey hut
was located on the island where a marker
remains. Gentoo penguins, snowy sheathbills,
kelp gulls and blue-eyed shags inhabit the
island.
Enterprise Island (64° 32’S,
062° 00’W)
Gerlache Strait
Located in Wilhelmina Bay, the island was
used by whalers. A Zodiac cruise around
the island passes a wrecked whaling ship.
Lemaire Channel (65° 03’ 364”S,
063° 55’ 140” W)
This strait runs between Booth Island and
the Antarctic Peninsula, and is one of the
most scenic locations on the western coast.
The 11 km (6.8 miles) may become impassable
when ice fills the narrow passageway.
Melchior Islands (64° 19’S, 062°
57’W)
Dallmann Bay
A group of low islands in Dallmann Bay,
on which male fur seals haul out at the
end of the breeding season to recuperate
from their battles for supremacy.
Neko Harbour (64° 50’S, 062°
33’W)
Andvord Bay
Little evidence remains that this bay was
once used by the floating whale factory
ship, 'Neko'. You might see some whale vertebrae
used by the resident gentoo penguins as
shelter from the wind. There is an unmanned
refuge hut erected by Argentina. Climb past
the hut and up a steep slope for spectacular
views of the glacier rimmed harbour.
Paulet Island (63° 35’S, 055°
47’W)
South of Dundee Island
Located in the northwestern Weddell Sea,
it is home to a large Adélie penguin
rookery. The island has a volcanic cone
352 metres (1158 feet) high. A historic
hut was erected here by members of the Swedish
Antarctic Expedition 1901-04. A member of
the expedition, Ole Wennersgaard, died on
the island and was buried there. A cross
marks the grave site.
Petermann Island (65° 10’S, 064°
10’W)
Penola Strait
The southernmost breeding colony of gentoo
penguins is situated on this 1.6 metre (1
mile) island located just below the Lemaire
Channel. The dome of the island rises 200
metres (650 feet) above the sea. Adélie
penguins, shags and south polar skuas also
inhabit the island.
Port Lockroy (64° 50’S, 063°
30’W)
Jougla Point, Goudier Island
The harbour is on the west side of Wiencke
Island. A secret base was built on the harbour
during the Second World War as part of Operation
Tabarin. Now designated a historic site,
Port Lockroy is a museum and post office.
Proceeds from the facility support the preservation
of historic sites from the Heroic Age of
Exploration.
Rothera Station (67° 34’S, 68°
08’W)
Adelaide Island
Rothera Station is operated all year round
by the British Antarctic Survey. The personnel
there are conducting upper atmosphere and
ozone layer studies. It is situated on a
rock and a raised beach promontory at the
southern extremity of Wormald Ice Piedmont,
in south-eastern Adelaide Island. As research
takes precedent over visits, we cannot guarantee
that a landing here.
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