One of my favourite times of year in Tonga is when Garrett and his family turn up for their annual pilgrimage to swim with the whales. I love the enthusiasm and connection they have with the whales. Their bucketlist journey takes them all around the world. Their latest v-blog really captures the essence of their last trip here with us in Tonga. Can’t wait to see you guys again next season. I love this video!!
Less than 100 people visit these Sub-Antarctic Islands each year and they have some of the most amazing
landscapes, wildlife, history and hidden secrets of the past. An era of exploration a century ago put these
places on the map (just barely) but very few people have even seen these islands, let alone set foot on them.
A journey that starts in Dunedin NZ and follows the voyage of an Aussie and New Zealander to some of
the most untouched reaches of the world, the Subantarctic islands, including Snares, Auckland, Campbell and
Macquarie Island.
Imagine standing on Macquarie Island surrounded by a million pairs of King Penguins or walking into
the past as you enter the first explorer’s huts, or bearing witness to the harshest weather conditions on the
planet as the southern ocean pounds the coastline for returning penguins and seals.
December sees Matt Draper & myself embarking on the trip of a lifetime, to film in one of the most amazing places on the planet. Thanks to Lenovo our major sponsor and the support of so many amazing brands, we are preparing for the rough seas, rugged environment and technology needs that go hand in hand with any expedition to this remote part of the world.
Thanks for all the support from:
Lenovo – https://www3.lenovo.com/au/en/
Aquatech Imaging Solutions – https://aquatech.net/
HEC’s Stealthscreen wetsuits – https://www.hecsaquatic.com/
Paddy Pallin Outdoor Clothing & Equipment – http://www.paddypallin.com.au/
Australian Geographic – http://australiangeographic.com.au/
Olympus Australia – https://www.olympus.com.au/
Ever thought about snorkeling with Leopard Seals or Penguins, or diving beneath the ice in a polar region, or just exploring the landscape and it’s natural wonders? Antarctica is the most remote destination on the planet. Abundant wildlife, massive icebergs the size of cities, spectacular untouched mountain ranges. whales glide by in search of food, penguins huddle together in the thousands and seals play in the nutrient rich southern ocean. It is a photographers paradise.
In February 2018 we are running a diving, snorkeling and photography trip to Antarctica. Spend 11 days in Antarctica, the last remaining wilderness on the planet. The workshops are designed for all levels and if you are feeling brave you can grab a drysuit and get in the water for a different perspective.
This Antarctic Explorer Fly/Sail itinerary features the best of Antarctica across ten days and allows for more exploration, with only one crossing of the Drake Passage. Get up close with tabular icebergs, vast colonies of Adelie and gentoo penguins and dramatic volcanic landscapes in the ice-filled Weddell Sea; the Antarctic Peninsula’s many islands are alive with leopard seals busy with courtship, bustling penguins and maybe whales!
Dates: 25 February to 7 March (ANP120)
Duration: 11 Days | Fly/Sail
Start: Punta Arenas, Chile (fly to King George Island)
Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ship: Polar Pioneer
Activities: Sea Kayaking (From US $1050pp), Scuba Diving (From US $975pp), Polar Snorkelling (From US $600pp) Snorkeling/Diving (US$975 Supplement)
Included: Accommodation during the voyage, All meals, Daily cabin service, All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises, Port taxes and charges, All entry fees to historic landings sites, Educational lectures and guiding services from our expert team, Access to our on board doctor and basic medical services, An Aurora Expeditions’ multi-purpose waterproof jacket, Professionally produced voyage journal (one per booking), Free gumboot hire during the voyage,
Flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams, Transfer from Puerto Williams’ airport to Polar Pioneer, including Puerto Williams town and surrounds tour, Luggage transfer from Polar Pioneer to King George Island airstrip, Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, One night accommodation in Punta Arenas post voyage (26 Feb 2018), Comprehensive pre-departure information.
| DECK | CABIN | PRICE PER PERSON |
| Deck 3 | Triple, shared facilities | US $9,500 |
| Deck 3 | Twin, shared facilities | US $11,200 |
| Deck 4, 5 | Twin, private facilities | US $13,500 |
Snorkeling/Diving Supplement (From US$975pp)
Sea Kayaking (From US $1050pp)
To register your interest to join us in Antarctica for this once in a life time experience, click here.
Pre departure information for this tour, click here
Medical Form
Personal Details Form
Client Booking Form
Pre-departure information Snorkeling
Pre-departure information Scuba Diving
Expedition Highlights – Antarctic Explorer
Day 1 – Beagle Channel
Fly from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams, enjoy a tour of the scenic port before being warmly welcomed aboard Polar Pioneer. We’ll have introductory and safety briefings before our evening’s cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Days 2 to 3 – Drake Passage
Ease into shipboard life as we cross the Drake Passage. Our naturalist and paleontologist expand our Antarctic knowledge and prepare us for landings. The outer decks and flying bridge provide excellent space to see and photograph wildlife.
Days 4 to 6 – Weddell Sea
We spend the next few days exploring the ice-filled Weddell Sea where weather systems and shifting pack ice dictate our schedule: we hope to visit the large Adelie and gentoo penguin colonies of Brow Bluff, and fossil-rich Seymour Island. We may hike to spectacular vantage points on Beak or Devil Islands; large tabular icebergs and volcanic scenery create long lasted memories.
Days 7 to 9 – Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula’s western flanks offer long summer daylight and ice-free waters; we visit historic huts and Zodiac cruise through narrow straits and majestic icebergs, and if we’re lucky, whales. The few landing points we hope to visit are Half Moon Bay, Lemaire Channel, Hydrurga Rocks and more.
Day 10 – King George Island
We arrive at mountainous King George Island. If time and weather permit we explore penguin and seal-rich waters of Fildes Bay and visit the surprising Trinity Church at Bellingshausen Station, before catching our charter flight back to Punta Arenas in Chile, where we transfer to our overnight accommodation.
Day 11 – Punta Arenas
After breakfast at the Cabo de Hornes Hotel, bid a fond farewell to your fellow passengers as you make your journey home or continue on with your own arrangements.
Please note that all of our itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. Our itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.
Medical Form
Personal Details Form
Client Booking Form
Pre-departure information Snorkeling
Pre-departure information Scuba Diving
Ever thought about getting up close and personal with Leopard Seals or Penguins, or just exploring the landscape and it’s natural wonders. Antarctica is the most remote destination on the planet. Abundant wildlife, massive icebergs the size of cities, spectacular untouched mountain ranges. whales glide by in search of food, penguins huddle together in the thousands and seals play in the nutrient rich southern ocean. It is a photographers paradise.
In March 2018 Award winning photographers Scott Portelli and Joanna Lentini are running a trekking and photography trip to Antarctica. Spend 17 days in Antarctica, the last remaining wilderness on the planet. The workshops are designed for all levels and if you are feeling brave you can grab a drysuit and get in the water for a different perspective.
We hope to explore fossil-rich islands, historic huts and set foot on the continent before retracing Shackleton’s heroic journey to save his men – first to Elephant Island, then on through waters where blue, sei and fin whales roam. South Georgia offers nesting albatross, mating elephant seals, the world’s largest king penguin rookeries and a visit to Shackleton’s grave.
Dates: 7 to 24 March 2018
Duration: 17 nights/18 days| Fly/Sail
Start: Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish: Santiago OR Punta Arenas, Chile (fly from Stanley, Falklands/Malvinas)
Ship: Polar Pioneer
Activities: Sea Kayaking (From US $1325pp), South Georgia Alpine Crossing (From US $1250pp), Snorkeling/Diving (US$975 Supplement)
Included: Accommodation on board Polar Pioneer, All meals, Daily cabin service, All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises, Port taxes and charges, All entry fees to historic landings sites, Lectures and educational and guiding services from our expert team, Access to our on board doctor and basic medical services, Complimentary custom-designed Polar Expedition jacket, Professionally produced voyage journal (one per booking), Free gumboot hire during the voyage, Luggage transfer from hotel in Ushuaia to Polar Pioneer on day of boarding, Transfer from Polar Pioneer to Stanley airport, including tour of Stanley, Post-voyage flight from Stanley to Punta Arenas OR Santiago (no reduced fare for finishing in Punta Arenas), Comprehensive pre-departure information.
Joanna Lentini is an award-winning photographer and editor based in the greater New York City area. Joanna’s passion for the natural world and photography ignited from an early age and has led her to explore diverse environments around the planet—from the Arctic to the Coral Triangle.
Wildlife remains Joanna’s deepest passion, and her work both topside and underwater has taken her face to face with some of the planet’s most incredible creatures, ranging from sharks and crocodiles to polar bears and snow monkeys. Through her imagery she hopes to inspire a greater appreciation for the planet and its last wild places.
Joanna’s has contributed images and published articles for various print and online publications including: Sport Diver, Ocean Geographic, Dive Photo Guide, ScubaDiver AustralAsia, Dive Advisor, and ScubaDiver Ocean Planet. She has been awarded in several international photography competitions and was recently one of a few women awarded in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year photography competition.
Having lived in 4 countries across 3 continents, she has now visited 50+ countries, is a certified PADI Master Scuba Diver and Aquanaut, and is a member of the Ocean Artists Society. She holds a bachelors degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from Rider University, and is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography.
Scott Portelli is a Sydney based photographer who has traveled the world extensively photographing in some of the most remote destinations, including The Arctic, Antarctica, Falklands, Galapagos, Azores, Africa and the South Pacific.
Scott is an award winning wildlife, nature, aerial and underwater photographer. A member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) he is regarded as a leading professional in his field.
In 2016 he was announced National winner of the Sony World Photography awards and in the same year awarded at the prestigious wildlife photographer of the year. He was recently awarded at the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the year, receiving an honorable mention.
With his experience in the Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions, he brings a wealth of knowledge to every expedition and ensures that each trip optimizes photographers chances to capture the best that the wildlife in the region has to offer. He teams up with one of the most accomplished wildlife and nature photographers, Joanna Lentin, to bring you an intimate experience in this amazing destination.
| DECK | CABIN | PRICE PER PERSON |
| Deck 3 | Triple, shared facilities | US $14,300 |
| Deck 3 | Twin, shared facilities | US $17,200 |
| Deck 4, 5 | Twin, private facilities | US $20,790 |
Sea Kayaking (From US $1325pp)
South Georgia Alpine Crossing (From US $1250pp)
To register your interest to join us in Antarctica for this once in a life time experience, click here.
Pre departure information for this tour, click here
Medical Form
Personal Details Form
Client Booking Form
Pre-departure information Snorkeling
Pre-departure information Scuba Diving
Expedition Highlights
Day 1 – Beagle Channel
Step aboard Polar Pioneer in Ushuaia in the late afternoon to a warm welcome, introductory briefing and an evening departure along the Beagle Channel with your shipmates.
Days 2 to 3 – Drake Passage
As we cross Drake Passage, we keep watch for giant petrels, wandering and black-browed albatross and our first icebergs. Fur seals and penguins pepper the sea surface as we approach our first landing in the South Shetland Islands.
Days 4 to 6 – Antarctica Peninsula
An autumn dawn greets us in spectacular Antarctic Sound where we may stop at towering Brown Bluff before pushing on into the Weddell Sea. There’s a strong fossil focus this time of year, as the pack ice movement may allow a continental landing and visits to the world-renowned fossil beds of Seymour, Vega and James Ross islands, and Nordenskjold’s Hut on Snow Hill Island.
Days 7 to 9 – Scotia Sea
So exposed is Cape Wild on Elephant Island, landings are rare, but we’ll try, if only to pay tribute to the man who’s leadership kept Shackleton’s men alive for four months while awaiting rescue. We keep watch for great whales while sailing the Scotia Sea to South Georgia.
Day 10 – South Georgia
We enter King Haakon Bay and attempt a ceremonial landing at Cave Cove, Shackleton’s first landfall before continuing up past Peggotty Bluff, where Shackleton, Worsley and Crean set off to cross the island.
Days 11 to 14 – South Georgia
While our “Crossers” negotiate Shackleton’s historic route, we immerse ourselves in one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. King penguin rookeries half-million strong, chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguin colonies, wandering albatross on nests, beaches thick with elephant and fur seals. We hope to walk the final leg of Shackleton’s epic, from Fortuna Bay to Stromness, before visiting “The Boss’s” grave and whaling museum in Grytviken.
Days 15 to 17 – Scotia Sea
Crossing the Scotia Sea, we watch for whales and enjoy entertaining talks by our expedition team as we cruise back towards the Falklands Islands/Malvinas. On this leg we are usually travelling into the prevailing weather so it is difficult to estimate our arrival time in the Falklands.
Day 18 – Falkland Islands/Malvinas
Dawn greets us in the Falkland Islands/Malvinas capital, Stanley; where we bid farewell to Polar Pioneer. You have the option of either spending more time exploring the Falkland Islands or continuing on to Punta Arenas or Santiago, Chile.
Please note that all of our itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. Our itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.
Medical Form
Personal Details Form
Client Booking Form
Pre-departure information Snorkeling
Pre-departure information Scuba Diving