Weddell Sea

Insurmountable, extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell Sea. Central to the story of where Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance became trapped in formidable sea ice, the Weddell Sea certainly is high on the list for most polar adventurers. A small set of islands standing off to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula collectively form the Antarctic Sound – the gateway to the Weddell Sea. With a well-deserved reputation as being an iceberg alley, many large tabular bergs escape the Sea through the Antarctic Sound, often making navigation difficult. However, the rewards can be great with sweeping ice platforms sculpting a landscape unlike any other, populated by fur seals, penguins, wandering albatross and other imposing seabirds.

The Weddell Sea extents far south and is therefore under the direct influence of the very cold Antarctic Continental Climate. Scientists have declared the waters here to be the clearest water of any sea on Earth. The clarity of the water is on par with distilled water. Be spoiled for wildlife encounters as the Weddell boasts a large Adélie penguin colony (more than 100,000 breeding pair) just outside of the Antarctic Sound, some of which breed on the rocky slopes of a small volcanic island. Keep watch for chinstrap and gentoo penguins as well. With good ice and plenty of luck, you may even get close to a well-known emperor penguin colony. Be part of a true expedition voyage as you cruise into an area of amazing wildlife and huge tabular icebergs.