Echoes of the Deep: Whale Voyage

Board the expedition vessel in the afternoon, where you'll meet your crew and fellow travellers. After settling into your cabin, the ship sets off along the picturesque Beagle Channel. Relish your first evening at sea as the southernmost tip of South America disappears from view.

Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem.

While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica's history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held.

By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

Core science days take place in areas around and along the Gerlache Strait, where operations are centered on collecting data through coordinated fieldwork and ecosystem-focused exploration.

Potential activities include (conditions permitting):

Zodiac-Based Whale Observation

Conduct whale observation and behavioral logging from Zodiac vessels in active feeding and transit areas.

Acoustic Equipment Deployment

Deploy and recover underwater acoustic instruments used to record and analyze marine mammal presence and communication.

Drone Operations

Carry out drone flights to capture aerial imagery supporting behavioral and environmental observations.

Biopsy & Tagging

Assist with biopsy sampling and tagging operations led by researchers to better understand species health and movement.

Fluke Photo-ID

Participate in fluke photo-identification sessions to help track individual whales across sightings.

Data Review & Processing

Engage in evening sessions reviewing collected data, processing video, and discussing preliminary findings onboard.

Recovered suction cup tags may yield animal-borne video, which can be reviewed onboard approximately 24 hours after retrieval. Drone footage can also be processed and shared shortly after collection, allowing guests to see immediate research outcomes.

These days are based around collecting data through our field operations and ecosystem-focused exploration. Shore landings may complement at-sea research, connecting whale behavior to broader Antarctic food web dynamics.

These additional days allow flexibility to revisit productive whale areas or shift focus based on conditions and research progress.

Other included and optional activities during your time in Antarctica include kayaking, hiking, and taking a dip into the icy cold Antarctic Sea.

Adaptive Research Planning

Adjust routes and operations dynamically to maximize opportunities for meaningful observations and data collection.

Revisiting Whale Hotspots

Return to previously active marine areas to continue tracking whale presence and behavior patterns.

Kayaking

Explore calm waters at close range, offering a unique perspective of the Antarctic environment.

Hiking & Shore Exploration

Step ashore for guided hikes across glacial landscapes and panoramic viewpoints.

Polar Plunge

Take an optional dip into the icy Antarctic waters for a memorable expedition experience.

As the expedition heads back north, there's an opportunity for a final landing or zodiac cruise. Weather and ice conditions permitting, explore destinations like Brown Bluff, where towering cliffs and an Adélie penguin colony await, or Paulet Island, home to historic sites and abundant wildlife.

Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.