Antarctica Trip Recap March 2025

Read all about Tim Yeo’s unforgettable South Australia expedition with Bluewater aboard the Rodney Fox, featuring great white sharks, sea lions, leafy sea dragons, and the world’s largest cuttlefish aggregation.

Bluewater's Expedition- A Journey to the Bottom of the World

Our journey to the bottom of the world began with a warm welcome in Buenos Aires before flying to Ushuaia—fondly known as the “end of the world.” After braving a few days of 90°F heat in the Argentine capital, the cool 45°F Ushuaia breeze was a refreshing change. We gathered for drinks and dinner with some of our fellow travelers, calling it an early night to rest up before our expedition began.

Beagle Channel Checkout Dive

On the morning of March 9, the divers in our group dived into the Beagle Channel for a checkout dive, where we spotted pygmy squid, squat lobsters, decorator crabs, nudibranchs, and even playful sea lions. While we hoped to see southern king crabs, overfishing has sadly made them a rare sight. That evening, we joined the rest of the guests in our group and enjoyed a delicious steakhouse dinner with our dive expedition team.

Embarkation Day

March 10 marked Embarkation Day! We boarded the M/V Ortelius and settled into our cabins before attending a series of briefings covering safety protocols, wildlife viewing guidelines, and dive logistics. With no helicopters on board for this trip, the dive team had exclusive access to a massive hangar—giving us plenty of space to gear up.

Crossing the Drake Passage

The next two days were spent crossing the legendary Drake Passage. Conditions were relatively mild—a "Drake Middle," if you will—with 15-foot swells and 20-knot winds. We passed the time with fascinating lectures on seabirds, whales, and Antarctic history, plus a critical biosecurity protocol to ensure no foreign contaminants were brought ashore. By March 12, we had officially entered Antarctic waters and spotted our first iceberg!

Arriving in Antarctica

March 13 brought our first dives in Antarctica. Surrounded by humpback whales during our zodiac launch, the checkout dive revealed an icy underwater world of kelp-covered reefs, sea stars, nudibranchs, and more. Our afternoon dive was a highlight: the wreck of the Gouvernoren, a whaling ship that sank just months before the Endurance, Shakelton’s famous ship. Yellow sponges, red kelp, lots of nudibranchs and even remnants of whale bones made for a powerful and haunting dive. As we swam around the wreck, apart from the propeller and rudder, we also spotted the pulleys and chains used during the height of whaling days to drag whale carcasses onto the ship.

If you're inspired by the unique dive experiences Antarctica has to offer, learn more about diving in Antarctica and start planning your own adventure!

Iceberg Graveyard Cruise

On March 14, we braved the cold and the snow for a zodiac cruise in the iceberg-filled waters of the Iceberg Graveyard. Humpback whales, minke whales, and hundreds of penguins greeted us. In the afternoon, we completed a surreal dive around a couple of glowing blue icebergs, followed by a snorkel with a raft of 100+ curious gentoo penguins who darted and spun around us—it was pure magic.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

The following day, March 15, we officially crossed the Antarctic Circle. Unfortunately, worsening weather meant we couldn’t linger, and the afternoon was spent reviewing photos and sharing stories while the ship headed north in search of calmer conditions.

Penguin Diving

On March 16, we returned to diving with two scenic sites: the first featured a reef with penguins swimming alongside us at 45 feet, while the second was next to a penguin colony with whale bones scattered across the seafloor. Above the surface, we witnessed a rare and unforgettable moment—two leopard seals feeding on penguins, possibly a mother teaching her pup.

Iceberg Exploration

March 17 offered more iceberg diving in the morning, and we even climbed aboard one for photos! That afternoon, some opted for an exploratory dive while I enjoyed the peaceful views of glaciers, snow-capped mountains and icebergs slowly floating by from the top deck.

Deception Island Dive

Final Days on the Drake Passage

March 19 and 20 were spent making our way north. The seas picked up again, giving us a little "Drake Shake" send-off. We attended the final presentations, edited photos and videos, and gathered in the bar for a champagne toast and recap video assembled by the crew.

Disembarkation Day

March 21 was disembarkation day. Some guests headed straight to the airport, while others lingered in Ushuaia to soak up the last moments of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

A Bucket-List Expedition

This was truly a bucket-list expedition, packed with unforgettable encounters with whales, seals, penguins, and the otherworldly beauty of Antarctica’s icy wilderness. Divers and non-divers alike were treated to moments that will be remembered forever.

Ready for Your Next Adventure? 

If reading about this once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica trip has sparked your sense of adventure, why not keep the momentum going? Plan your next unforgettable journey with Bluewater. Get ready to dive deeper into the wonders of the world!