Arctic and Antarctic Diving
Ready for something exhilarating and challenging? Polar dive expeditions show experienced divers a world with crystal-clear waters and incredible light streaming through ice. This is not a world devoid of life, quite the opposite!
Arctic Diving
Atlantic polar waters offer regular zodiac diving as well as wreck diving. The combination of sunlight, sea water and the often extraordinary formations of ice make an awe-inspiring, ever-changing specter of colors with a fantastic variety of shades and brilliance. Typical marine life here include sea squirts, squat lobsters, many species of starfish, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms, dogfish, kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Arctic fish, shrubby horsetails, jellyfishes, sea hedgehogs and starfishes. In Spitsbergen you may dive with seals.
Arctic Dive Dates & Pricing
June 18 - 25, 2012: North Spitsbergen
Onboard the Plancius, $3,900 - $6,250 + diving $400
June 25 - July 4, 2012: North Spitsbergen (basecamp)
Onboard the Plancius, $4,950 - $8,000 + diving $420
July 4 - 13, 2012: Around Spitsbergen
Onboard the Plancius, $4,950 - $8,000 + diving $400
Please note that all the pricing above is subject to change due to currency fluctuation.
Antarctic Diving
During Antarctic dive expedition you may observe penguins from under the surface as well as sea lions and even leopard seals. The Falkland Islands are rich with krill which brings about many krill-eating species. The dive sites will vary from shallow ice diving, diving along a wall, from a beach or from the zodiac. While snorkeling or diving along the ice-floes, you will be amazed and never forget these deep blue colors.
Diving in Antarctica does not only offer ice, but also an interesting marine life such as kelp walls, sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Antarctic fish, shrubby horsetails, jellyfish, sea hedgehogs, starfish, krill and giant isopods. You may have the possibility to snorkel or dive with fur seals, leopard seals and penguins.
Antarctic Dive Dates and Pricing
November 28 - December 8, 2011: Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $6,475 - $10,570 + diving $1,190
December 8 - 19, 2011: Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $6,740 - $11,140 + diving $1,190
December 19 - 28, 2011: Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $6,475 - $10,570 + diving $1,190
December 28, 2011 - January 5, 2012: Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $6,115 - $9,740 + diving $1,190
January 21 - February 6, 2012: South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $10,570 - $16,510 + diving $1,405
February 6 - 17, 2012: Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $7,020 - $11,300 + diving $1,190
February 12 - 26, 2012: Antarctic Peninsula
SPECIAL LEOPARD SEAL EXPEDITION read more here
Onboard the Hanse Explorer, $26,600 including diving
February 17 - 26, 2012: Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea
Onboard the Polar Pioneer, from $7,020 - $11,300 + diving $1,190
March 9 - 20, 2012: Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Plancius, from $7,050 - $10,190 + diving $420
March 20 - 29, 2012: Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Plancius, from $5,290 - $7,550 + diving $420
February 26 - March 9, 2013: Antarctic Peninsula (basecamp)
Onboard the Plancius, from $7,390 - $10,850 + diving $490
March 9 - 20, 2013: Antarctic Peninsula
Onboard the Plancius, from $7,390 - $10,850 + diving $490
March 20 - 29, 2013: Antarctic Peninsula (photography voyage)
Onboard the Plancius, from $5,690 - $8,190 + diving $490
Please note that all the pricing above is subject to change due to currency fluctuation.
Preparing for Polar Diving
These voyages are not for beginners, you'll have to be a very experienced diver and familiar with cold water diving with at least twenty dry suit dives under your belt. The dive-dedicated departures plan to do at least one or two dives per day, weather and ice conditions permitting. All diving is done by buddy system, the guides will stay on the surface and follow your progress from the zodiac. All equipment except weights for your weight belt must be brought in, there is no rental equipment onboard. Detailed list for all gear necessary will be provided.