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March 8, 2025

Among Antarctic locations and expedition cruise destinations, the Weddell Sea holds a certain mystique and a powerful aura in the polar world.

Closely tied to the history of Antarctic exploration, the Weddell Sea has been the backdrop of many dramatic and tragic tales of human perseverance and loss. Perhaps most notably, the sea contains the perfectly preserved wreck of the Endurance, the ship aboard which Sir Ernest Shackleton and the men of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition became icebound, setting into motion one of the great tales of human survival.

With Oceanwide Expeditions, you can voyage into the Weddell Sea, embarking on a true polar adventure into a region so remote that the ice conditions shape daily itineraries and few, if any, polar cruise operators venture. You can go further, get closer, and follow the tantalizing spirit of adventure at the farthest corners of the map. These trip itineraries truly embody the Oceanwide Expeditions’ ethos of getting you closer to the heart of nature through innovative, flexible, and expert-driven expedition cruise itineraries in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.

Visit the Weddell Sea with Oceanwide Expeditions

Extending from the shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula to Neuschwabenland, the Weddell Sea has intrigued, entranced, and enthralled visitors to the Antarctic since its discovery in 1823. Much of the Weddell Sea lies within the Antarctic Circle, and the thick ice cover makes expedition cruising a challenge. Permanent sea ice covers the water throughout the year, with powerful pressure waves forcing ice into dramatic shards and peaks, creating an otherworldly environment that is as unforgiving as it is unforgettable.

Two of Oceanwide Expeditions’ ice-strengthened expedition vessels visit the remote reaches of the Weddell Sea throughout the Antarctic cruise season. While not classed as ice breakers, m/v Plancius and m/v Ortelius, both purpose-built research and oceanographic vessels, can enter solid year-old ice, and loose multi-year ice, an essential characteristic of vessels operating in the Weddell Sea, which is known for its compact drift ice and swift floes which can remain throughout the Antarctic summer.

Unique among the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet, m/v Ortelius is helicopter-capable, boasting a stern helideck and internal hanger to store two helicopters. This extends the range of possible excursions from m/v Ortelius, often coming into play when ice conditions make shore landings difficult or deep entry into the Weddell Sea is challenging.

Most expedition voyages operate close to the Antarctic Peninsula, venturing as far south as Snow Hill Island when ice conditions allow. Oceanwide Expeditions is going further than anyone else, embracing the spirit of adventure and pioneering an exciting new itinerary into the far reaches of the Weddell Sea, alone among polar expedition cruise operators.

Visit the Snow Hill Island Emperor Penguin Colony

Aboard m/v Ortelius, you can experience something truly extraordinary. On Snow Hill Island, an icy expanse within the Weddell Sea, a large colony of emperor penguins gather to breed and raise their chicks. On an Into the Weddell Sea – In Search of the Emperor Penguin trip with Oceanwide Expeditions, guests can take advantage of the helicopter capabilities of the ship for the chance to visit this iconic emperor penguin colony and experience something pulled straight out of Planet Earth.

This truly unforgettable experience is just the tip of the iceberg of an adventure that encompasses one of the wildest, most beautiful, and most remote places on Earth—the Antarctic Peninsula. With its ice shelves, glaciers, sweeping mountains and islands, and shores full of historical drama and seas teeming with life, a visit to this spectacular part of our world will leave you forever changed.

Going further & discovering more: explore the reaches of the Weddell Sea

Towards the end of the Antarctic cruise season, the thick ice of the Weddell Sea begins to break up to its fullest extent. Taking advantage of the possibilities of navigating further into the Weddell Sea, Oceanwide Expeditions is offering something special in their 24/25 and 25/26 Antarctic programs – the opportunity to go further than other operators and visit areas never visited on an expedition cruise. On the Remote Weddell Sea Explorer voyage, Oceanwide Expeditions’ guests can go beyond the standard and follow in the wake of one of the most renowned and celebrated Antarctic explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton. This trip reaches the very edges of the world and epitomizes Oceanwide Expeditions, which embody the pioneering spirit of adventure.

Nothing is guaranteed on this true expedition voyage, where ice conditions and the Antarctic weather dictate daily activities, plans, and the route of m/v Ortelius. The goal is to venture as south as possible, where rarely-visited locations such as the Brunt Ice Shelf and the distant Vahsel Bay, the destination of Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance expedition, may await. While navigating back west across the Weddell Sea, the ship may pass in the region where the wreck of the Endurance lies, and retrace some of the route that Shackleton’s men took on their epic journey of survival.

Across 27 nights, you’ll experience the drama of life at the distant edges of the world, exploring the depths of the Weddell Sea and iconic Antarctic locations such as Elephant Island, the South Shetland Islands, the South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Book your Weddell Sea adventure with Oceanwide Expeditions

Remaining spaces aboard a Remote Weddell Sea Explorer or an Into the Weddell Sea – In Search of Emperor Penguins trip for the 24/25 season may be limited. However, some last-minute availability may be available through the Oceanwide Expeditions website.

For budding explorers, berths aboard m/v Ortelius and m/v Plancius for the upcoming 25/26 Antarctic season are now available, giving you the chance to visit the iconic emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island or join a true expedition voyage, where genuine discoveries are just waiting to be uncovered at the far edges of the world.

Don’t miss more updates, news and reviews about Oceanwide Expeditions on Cruising Journal.

George Janes

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