Ocean Albatros

More information coming soon.

More information coming soon.

To experience the polar regions in a truly intimate way, there’s really no better seat than the one in your kayak, just inches above the water, navigating among icebergs and glacial ice dating back 30,000 years. Gliding through an otherworldly landscape with a small team, led by our expert guides and occasionally joined by playful wildlife, this is about as magical as it gets.

It sounds like a crazy thing to do, but there are actually a number of reasons why hurling oneself into freezing cold water is one of our top activities.

Did you know that cold dipping is a long-standing Scandinavian tradition that has numerous health benefits? Taking a plunge in the coldest of waters provides plenty of perks for your well-being, including reducing stress, boosting energy, improving your immune system, and relieving pain. Doing a polar plunge on New Year’s Day is a way to celebrate a new beginning. “Polar Bear Plunges” are held in many parts of the world as a way to raise money for charities. And did you know that every December, the polar plunge is held as part of the “midsummer” celebration in Antarctica? It’s a rite of passage for scientists and visitors at several of the research bases.

But the biggest reason to take the plunge? Because sometimes, you just want to do something completely crazy! And we must have a lot of crazy passengers, because our polar plunge never fails to draw a huge crowd.

An Uninhabited Continent Opens Its Doors for One Incredible Night

What’s camping in Antarctica like? Long after most passengers are tucked away in their cabins, chances are you’ll still be lying awake, cozy in your sleeping bag, captivated by the ethereal sounds of gently lapping waves, creaking glaciers and perhaps the blow of a whale passing in the night.

The air seems even more pure than in the daytime, the scale of your surroundings even more humbling, and by morning you’ll find yourself wondering how you could possibly describe this once-in-a-lifetime experience to friends back on board.

Award-Winning Coaches for Every Skill Level and Camera

Whatever your ambition and level of experience, and whatever camera you happen to carry, our award-winning photography coaches will help you bring home images that capture the unparalleled natural beauty and sheer magic of your Antarctica or Arctic adventure. We offer two options for our camera-carrying explorers: for the truly obsessed, there’s our small group, immersive program led by a dedicated photography instructor, and on hand for all passengers, our onboard professional photography coach, offering tips, advice, and technical assistance throughout the expedition.

Citizen Science on Every Voyage

Having a Citizen Science program on every voyage is an effort we pioneered, as the very first Antarctic operator to officially collaborate with The Polar Citizen Science Collective. We continue to team up with them on several projects, giving our passengers the chance to play a meaningful role in recording and better understanding the Antarctic ecosystem and the impact of climate change. This is particularly helpful in the Antarctic, where we support long-term academic observation teams that would find it nearly impossible to be as ever-present on their own.

The projects offered may vary slightly by voyage and scientific need. Everyone is welcome to participate. If interested, please see the onboard daily bulletin and join the scheduled Citizen Science Introduction Meeting at the start of your voyage. There is no additional cost.

(Citizen Science is offered on Antarctica expeditions only.)