November in Antarctica
#17
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,713
The temperature was surprisingly mild - the coldest we experienced was probably in the 20s, although the wind chill brought it down a bit further. On the sunny days it probably reached 40F. At more than one point I stripped down my top layer to just a T-shirt or a sweater (although I still left all my bottom layers on).
I'm sure there was some danger of falling in the water for the paddle-boarders. They only got to do it when conditions were pristine, and I'm sure they had some kind of safety briefing about it. I don't know what it entailed.
You are not allowed to approach the penguins and they ask that you keep at least 10-15 feet away from them. However you do not need to move should the penguins approach you, and this happened routinely. On more than one occasion I had a penguin just stroll by within arm's reach. Most of the photos were done with a telephoto lens though.
I'm sure there was some danger of falling in the water for the paddle-boarders. They only got to do it when conditions were pristine, and I'm sure they had some kind of safety briefing about it. I don't know what it entailed.
You are not allowed to approach the penguins and they ask that you keep at least 10-15 feet away from them. However you do not need to move should the penguins approach you, and this happened routinely. On more than one occasion I had a penguin just stroll by within arm's reach. Most of the photos were done with a telephoto lens though.
- Any tips for last minute booking with Quark and did you consider any other operators?
- Which city did you depart from?
- Any seasickness on the Drake Passage crossing?
Sorry for all the questions. It's such an interesting destination!
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ATL/SLC
Posts: 3,540
Any tips for last minute booking with Quark and did you consider any other operators?
- Which city did you depart from?
They also have an option to depart from Punta Arenas, Chile.
I'd be afraid of seasickness on the passage to and from Antarctica though.
- Any seasickness on the Drake Passage crossing?
- Any seasickness on the Drake Passage crossing?
#19
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 24
This is nuts! It never crossed my mind to take time to go there but your trip report is pretty amazing looking. Your pictures are beautiful and it seems like an incredible experience. Do you have any pictures of the boat and what those two days looked like on board?
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
#29
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA Platinum - 1MM+
Posts: 147
Very cool (literally!). I am going there in a few weeks, on One Ocean Expeditions and their ship Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Starting in Punta Arenas, fly to Falkland Islands (Stanley), then hop on a ship there with 90 others, and head south, and eventually crossing the Antarctic Circle. End the trip at King George Island where I take a charter jet, looks like the DAP BAe-146, from a gravel runway!)
Questions:
What did you miss the most on the trip (something you wish you brought with you)
What age group were the other travelers?
Questions:
What did you miss the most on the trip (something you wish you brought with you)
What age group were the other travelers?
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ATL/SLC
Posts: 3,540
Very cool (literally!). I am going there in a few weeks, on One Ocean Expeditions and their ship Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Starting in Punta Arenas, fly to Falkland Islands (Stanley), then hop on a ship there with 90 others, and head south, and eventually crossing the Antarctic Circle. End the trip at King George Island where I take a charter jet, looks like the DAP BAe-146, from a gravel runway!)
What did you miss the most on the trip (something you wish you brought with you)
Personal item-wise, I brought everything I wish I had. We had a good packing list - in fact, I would probably say that I overpacked, and don't be afraid to leave a little bit of extra clothing behind.
Two things you may not think about but are absolutely necessary are sunglasses and sunscreen. The snow can be blinding on a sunny day, and even if it's freezing out, you're still susceptible to sunburn.
What age group were the other travelers?
Nationalities were about 40% US, 40% Australian, 10% Chinese, and 10% other - mostly Canadian, but there were a few Brits, a Spaniard, and a Japanese couple on my ship.