Weddell Sea - Basecamp

Join our expert-led photography workshops

It is impossible to fully describe the experience of visiting the polar regions. Fortunately, our photography workshops will help you add incredible photos to your poetic descriptions. On select voyages, our professional photographers will help you get the best pictures out of your personal camera equipment with our free photo workshop activity.

The two-part process of our photography workshops

One part of our photo workshop takes place on the vessel, the other takes place in the field. The onboard segment takes the form of engaging lectures that will further familiarize you with your camera equipment and the basics of photography. The in-field segment takes place during excursions, when our guide-photographers will help you practice your photo skills in real polar conditions.

Do I have to bring photo equipment?

Yes, you have to bring your own camera gear. Choices in photography equipment are largely matters of personal preference, so there’s no way we can accommodate everyone.

You can bring more than just a basic camera if you choose, but keep in mind you may have to carry your gear over long distances. Photo equipment also has to fit safely on our Zodiacs. For detailed packing tips, check out our photography packing blog and photography packing video, made in cooperation with one of our veteran guide-photographers.

Are photography workshops included in the price of the cruise or are they supplemental?

There is no extra charge for participating in our photography workshops, but please book your spot well in advance - preferably three months prior to your departure. Our photographers are in high demand, so we need to recruit them early.

Zodiac cruising in the Polar Regions

​Our voyages are primarily defined as explorations and we spend as much time ashore as possible. We can be flexible, taking advantage of wildlife opportunities by using our zodiacs for both landings and cruises. Our knowledgeable guides assist on these outings, providing detailed information. This is supplemented by lectures on board which covers topics such as wildlife, nature and history.

Zodiac cruising instructions

The proper handling and usage of Zodiac landing craft, is crucial for exploratory voyages. These rubber boats are ideal for our operations. They have shallow drafts, and contain six air-filled compartments which give them impressive floatation and weight carrying abilities. The compartments are connected by valves, which allow the internal air pressure to be regulated, and they will still float even if one (or several) compartments become deflated. With these safe, durable and dependable boats we can land in many, normally inaccessible sites; Such as, beaches, shallow river banks, rocky outcrops, coral reef flats, ice floes, etc., as well as more conventional places; such as, docks, sea walls and jetties.

Passengers, however, must be aware of certain regulations involving the Zodiacs in order to assure adequate safety in our landing operations.

• The Zodiac driver is in charge of the boat and its operations. Please follow his or her instructions at all times.

• Always wear the provided zodiac safety vests when travelling in the Zodiacs. This is for your safety, and is required at all times while in the Zodiacs regardless of weather or sea conditions.

• Always accept the helping hand of crew-members and Zodiac drivers when stepping into or out of the Zodiacs at the ship’s gangway or ashore. Keep both hands free for this operation, and use the preferred ‘sailor’s grip’; i.e., grip each other by the wrist, because this gives a much stronger grip than just holding hands.

• Minimize the number of separate articles taken along with you when using the zodiacs. Backpacks are ideal for consolidating such diverse objects as cameras, binoculars, rain gear, extra shoes, etc. Carryon items may be handed to the boat handlers before embarking or disembarking. Keep both hands free.

• Never smoke in the Zodiacs. This is hazardous because there are exposed fuel tanks connected to the outboard engines. Lit cigarettes are also hazardous to the rubber construction of the boats.

• All landing conditions will be announced beforehand; i.e., ‘wet’ landings (these may require getting your feet wet by wading ashore), ‘dry’ landings (these make use of a dock or other object with which one can step ashore directly), and expected weather conditions.

• Never disembark or embark the Zodiac over the wooden transom (stern) when the boat is backed onto a beach. Oncoming waves may suddenly push the boat higher onto the beach, knocking the careless passenger with the uplifted engine and propeller, or crushing an exposed foot with the very heavy transom. During ‘wet’ landings one may safely get in or out of the boat by first sitting on the rubber pontoon and then swinging one’s leg over the side. Always wait for instructions from the driver during landings.

• One should always use a weatherproof bag (or bring along a small plastic bag) to protect non-waterproof items; such as, cameras and binoculars, from sea spray (or rain) when in the Zodiacs.

Explore the Arctic and Antarctic coastline in a kayak

One of the best things about a polar voyage is that you’re never done exploring. Even if you think you have walked every shore, climbed every mountain, and spotted every penguin (or polar bear), there is still a whole other world to explore on the water.

Polar kayaking is a great way to tour the blue-and-white beauty of the polar seas up close, visiting stunning ice formations and waterways too small for our ships to enter.

Do I need to be an experienced kayaker?

The amount of experience we require depends on the cruise you choose. If you have no experience at all, we suggest one of our Basecamp voyages, where we will happily introduce even the most inexperienced kayakers to this wonderful outdoor sport.

The toughest part of kayaking in gentle waters is usually getting into the kayak itself. After that, you just have to keep a steady rhythm with your paddles.

Some of our cruises require that you have more kayaking experience because they involve longer kayak excursions. These excursions expose you to water that might not be as gentle as a sheltered bay, and you stand more of a chance of encountering rougher weather conditions.

You will not need to be able to do a kayak roll, but you should be able to demonstrate that you’re comfortable in a sea kayak. On these non-Basecamp excursions, our guides reserve the right to refuse you access to a kayak if it is clear you don’t have the necessary experience. This is for your safety as well as theirs.

How physically fit do I need to be?

You will want to be in decent physical shape and possess a good sense of balance. Kayaking can be demanding on your core and arm muscles.

Our kayaking equipment is available in a range of sizes but for larger stature please consider the suitability of this activity. Guests above the maximum weight for our kayaks will not be allowed to participate.

If you’re not sure if you are quite ready for kayaking, please do not hesitate to check out our kayaking simply contact us. We would be happy to explain more about the activity and help you with any additional questions you might have.

How many times can I go kayaking?

On basecamp trips, we aim for each guest to kayak once. On regular voyages, we aim for four to six excursions per passenger who has booked the supplement. Our kayaking activity is always determined by weather and water conditions, since your safety is our primary concern.

Is polar kayaking safe?

All of our kayaking outings are led by certified and experienced guides, but you must always take caution when kayaking in the polar regions.

We will provide you with suitable outer clothing for kayaking. Kayak excursions are limited to 14 passengers per kayak guide. This number lets our guides keep track of everyone and make sure our guests are having a good time.

One guide stays with the group in a support kayak, while a safety boat follows in case of emergencies. All guides will try to scale excursions to the skill level of the group.

Do I have to bring my own kayaking equipment?

We will provide the following items:

• Seven double-seat sea kayaks on Plancius & Ortelius

• 14 double-seat sea kayaks on Hondius

• Paddles with anti-drip rings

• Basic (4 mm neoprene) wetsuits in different sizes

• Kayak spray cover

• Waterproof lightweight jacket (cagoule)

• Life jacket / kayak vest

• Neoprene boots

Please bring the following gear:

• thermal underwear, bottom and top (for under the wetsuit)

• fleece jacket or vest to wear over your thermal underwear

• gloves (insulated ski or snowboard gloves with grip or neoprene watersport gloves)

• waterproof bag (if you are bringing a camera or binoculars)

• fleece hat

• turtleneck or neck gaiter

• thick socks

• sunglasses

• sunblock

Avoid bringing cloth clothing like T-shirts or jeans. Once it gets wet (from water or sweat), it will stay wet for a long time – not a comfortable experience in polar weather!

What will I see while kayaking?

You’ll see rugged shorelines sloping up into snow-capped mountains, pristine beaches, and icebergs that turn the water beneath you a brilliant blue. You may also see some local wildlife, which the peaceful nature of kayaking makes even better.

Alternative kayaking options

In addition to our standard kayaking activity, we also offer two other kayaking experiences:

Kayak Skills Progression Camp (KSPC)

This course focuses on daily kayak skills progression and is available for four to ten participants. You'll use TRAK single-seater kayaks and learn key kayaking skills led by expert guides in some of the world's most stunning Arctic environments.

This kayaking course is aimed at guests with previous kayaking experience and good physical fitness.

One-off kayak experience

You can test the waters in this beginner kayaking experience, providing you with a taste of what kayaking in the polar regions entails. In either a morning or evening session, you'll join up to ten other kayakers and learn the ropes of what polar kayaking is all about.