Oceanwide: expedition into the Weddell Sea

July 20, 2022

Oceanwide Expeditions offers guests an adventurous expedition to explore one of Earth’s least visited areas, the incredible Weddell Sea in Antarctica, aboard the m/v Janssonius.

This 27-night adventure, from February 13 to March 11, 2024, will take guests to many seldom-seen places and offer lovers of the polar regions the chance to encounter truly exotic wildlife: orcas, leopard seals, and several species of penguins, to name a few.

Explore the Weddel Sea

The adventure begins by sailing the scenic Beagle Channel from Ushuaia, spotting numerous species of seabirds around the ship.

Next you will sail around South Georgia, one of the most visually stunning island groups on the planet and a great place to see colossal penguin colonies. Prion Island, Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour, and Grytviken are all possible landing attractions.

Gold Harbour

Grytviken

Prion Island

Days 7 and 8 will be spent heading to the Southern Sandwich Islands, where there is not only a good chance of seabird sightings, but guests will follow in Shackleton’s historical footsteps, reminiscing about his 1914 Transantarctic Imperial Expedition.

Day nine will see the Australi Sandwich Islands, although docking will not be possible, so the goal will be to enjoy a Zodiac cruise in this active volcanic area. Thule and Cook Islands, one of many highlights of the trip, will also be reached, where humpback whales and mink and various seabirds will be seen.

Oceanwide Zodiac

After three days of sailing en route to Antarctica, heading for Queen Maud Land and Neuschwabenland (New Swabia) on the northeast side of the Weddell Sea, the ship will arrive Neuschwabenland, where it will be possible to see an area explored by Germany during the Third German Antarctic Expedition of 1938-1939.

On days 15 to 23 of the cruise you will sail deep into the Weddell Sea between the Filchner, Ronne and Larsen ice shelves.

Next you will arrive at Brown Bluff, a scenic location in northern Antarctica with Adelia penguins, gentoo penguins and snow petrels. The sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders and beautiful ice-covered volcanic creations make this area a favorite.

One of the last days of the expedition is devoted to the legendary Elephant Island, the starting point from which Shackleton departed to find help for his crew stranded during his incredible Endurance expedition.