Join us on this unique Dive, Exploration and Photography Expedition designed exclusively for Waterproof Expeditions. Featuring the elusive leopard seal (Hydrurga Leptonyx) you will dive, snorkel, photograph and film these fascinating creatures during a private voyage onboard a luxury ice strengthened expedition yacht for only 12 guest.

Every austral summer—in late February and early March—the penguins of Antarctica leave their large nesting colonies to spend the season at sea. The adults go first, then the newly fledged chicks. While for most birds fledging means learning to fly, for penguins this is learning to swim. They stand on shore and face the sea. Everything about them says this is where they need to go. The sea is their survival, their bread-basket filled with fish, squid and krill. It's a daunting task. Leopard seals are out there waiting, hunting and patrolling for the slow and unwary. They kill hundreds, perhaps thousands, of penguins, thrashing them back and forth with massive jaws. To dive an azure blue iceberg is the ultimate high, but to be joined on the same dive by a huge leopard seal, that's when the mind really blows!

There are many advantages to joining the small group on this voyage. The small numbers give us great flexibility and the chance to offer a wide choice of activities from landings and hiking to diving, cruising and photography. This is the ultimate complete Antarctic experience. Non-divers will enjoy the cruise as much as the divers - joining as a snorkeller, photographer or hiker (or all three!).

Join renowned and professional ‘Big Animals’ photographer Amos Nachoum on this exciting photo expedition. Learn how to make great images and use the best lighting techniques and compositions including photography coaching and workshops.
The vessel carries an onboard state of the art dive operation organized by Waterproof Expeditions, the polar dive experts with many years experience of extreme situations. We are trained to search out the best opportunities for diving, taking into account the unpredictable weather and ice conditions, whilst maintaining the highest level of safety in combination with quality diving. We conduct open water dives in a controlled environment under small, grounded icebergs diving from the shore, a zodiac or an ice shell.
Whilst exploring the South West Antarctic Peninsula the dive sites we visit may include: Cuverville and Pleneau Islands with superb iceberg diving; the magnificent Lemaire Channel; Argentine Islands with good chances of spotting gentoo penguins ‘flying’ through the water; and the spectacular sites around Vernadskiy, the Ukrainian Scientific station.

Your home for this expedition is the luxury expedition yacht ‘Hanse Explorer’. With a length of 48 metres, a shallow draft of 4.40 metres and an E3 ice-class, she can sail in areas where many vessels, other than private yachts, cannot. The yacht accommodates a select group of only 12 passengers with two expert guides and more than 10 crew. The six guest cabins are luxuriously and tastefully fitted and are equipped with the latest technology including a satcom-device with free email and a large flat screen for working on digital photographs. A sauna and fitness room will help guests relax after their adventurous day. Weather permitting, the outside dining area provides the most incredible backdrops whilst eating superb international cuisine. The atmosphere onboard is relaxed and informal.

Day 1 Meet and Greet in Ushuaia, the most Southerly city of Argentina.
Day 2 Embarking the Hanse Explorer, our comfortable home for the next two weeks.
Days 3- 4 At sea crossing the Drake Passage.
Days 5- 12 Exploring the South West Antarctic Peninsula. With only a small group of people we can be flexible and take advantage of the best wildlife opportunities, weather and ice conditions and the most beautiful light for amazing photos. We start our first day in Antarctica with a mandatory checkout dive at an easy accessible site to get you accustomed to the cold water and to adjust your weights. In the following days we offer zodiac cruises, hiking, snorkeling, diving, photo workshops, lectures, and mind blowing Antarctica experiences.
Days 13-15 Sailing back across the Drake Passage and disembark in Ushuaia.