Destination: Antarctica
Antarctica (10-34 Nights) | From $795++/night
M/V Ortelius Quick Pitch
This Oceanwide Expeditions ice-strengthened vessel offers safety and comfort for adventure seekers traveling into Antarctica. With the highest ice-class notation, it is ideal for exploring remote locations and navigating through ice, while maintaining high standards of guest service and amenities.
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Accommodations - Facilities - Schedule & Rates - Dive Info & Destinations
Location
Trips depart from Ushuaia, on the island of Tiera del Fuego in Argentina.
Dive Overview
Antarctica offers a unique and thrilling polar diving experience as one of the last grand and remote areas of wilderness on earth. Divers get to take part in the pioneering exploration of these isolated waters, viewing stunning ice formations, glaciers, and some of the globe's most rarely seen wildlife.
[See: Antarctica Dive Travel Guide]
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Accommodations
Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos
M/V Ortelius Accommodation Overview
The M/V Ortelius offers 4 quadruple porthole, 28 twin porthole, 12 twin window, 2 twin deluxe, and 6 superior cabin options, all featuring ensuite showers and toilets. There are 52 cabins available for a maximum of 108 guests.
The Cabins
General Facilities
Dining Room
Lecture Room & Bar/Observation Lounge
M/V Ortelius Boat Features
- Bar
- Lecture room
- Restaurant
- Lots of open-deck spaces
- Observation deck
- Shore excursions
- Activities for selected voyages (photo workshops, kayaking, hiking/snowshoeing, mountaineering, camping, and diving)
- Helicopter excursions (on special voyages)
M/V Ortelius Dive Facilities & Features
- Compressor: Onboard, there are a Bauer compressor (200 liters), 35 steel bottles of 12 liters each, 200 bar, with DIN and Yoke adaptable connections and two separate outlets
- Weights: You will be provided with hard led weights and a belt
- Zodiacs with strong out-board motors
- Dive Buddy system
- 1-2 days per day (depending on the weather)
- 8 divers per dive guide
- Maximum number of diving passengers: 24
Food & Drinks Aboard M/V Ortelius
Two restaurants are available, with the capacity to seat all guests simultaneously. Snacks are available free of charge during the day and in between meals. Bottled water is also provided.
M/V Ortelius Liveaboard Deck Plan
Schedule & Rates
M/V Ortelius Schedule & Rates
Prices are in USD, per person and are based on the lowest priced cabin. Port and park fees are not included.
[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions]
Inclusions
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
Exclusions
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements
- Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory)
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
- Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard
Important Note
All rates are quoted per person in USD.
Other Dates & Availability
For more information on other departure dates that are not listed above and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at 310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!
Dive Information & Destinations
Marine Life
During the Antarctic dive expedition, you may observe penguins from under the surface as well as sea lions. The Falkland Islands are rich with krill (which is consumed by many species) and therefore interesting for finding marine wildlife. The dive sites will vary from shallow ice diving, diving along a wall, from a beach or from the zodiac. The maximum depth is around 20 meters / 60-65 feet. The combination of sunlight and the often extraordinary formations of ice causes an overwhelming, everchanging specter of colors, with a fantastic variety of shades and brilliance. While snorkeling or diving along the ice-floes, you will be amazed and never forget these deep blue colors. Diving in Antarctica does not only offer ice, but also an interesting marine life, such as kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Antarctic fish, shrubby horse-tails, jelly-fishes, sea hedgehogs, starfishes, krill and giant isopods. You may have the possibility to snorkel or dive with penguins.
Experience & Qualification - These voyages are not for beginners, you’ll have to be a very experienced diver and must be familiar with cold water diving and dry suit diving (at least 30 dry suit dives in 4°C or below). Before departure, you will have to show an internationally accepted diving certificate and diver’s logbook, (you must include copies when completing your diver personal information form). The first dive of the trip will be a 'check' dive to try out your gear and weights and for our Dive Team Leader to see if all individual divers have enough experience to dive in the Antarctic waters.
Spectacular Ross Sea (incl. helicopters)
- Join Oceanwide Expeditions for a spectacular expedition to the Ross Sea. Our first Discovery Cruise voyages to the Ross Sea were successfully completed in 2013. Join us for an new exploratory voyage to Campbell Island, home to the Southern Royal Albatross, to the huts of Shackleton and Scott on Ross Island, to the Bay of Whales and Kainan Bay, the starting points from where Norwegian Amundsen and the Japanese Shirase gained access to the ice-shelf in 1911 and 1912, and where Byrd wintered in Little America.
Polar Circle - Antarctic Peninsula
- This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters traveled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
Antarctic Peninsula - Basecamp Ortelius
- “Base camp” is by definition a temporary storing and starting place, from which an activity starts. We offer “activity modules” which go beyond our normal shore program. The vessel will stay for two or three days at specific locations to serve our active passengers as a comfortable hub to allow more time than usual for wide-ranging activities.
Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin incl. helicopters
- The Emperor Penguin rookery is situated south of Snow Hill Island. Although we will probably not be able to reach that far through the ice (less than 50 % chance based on our voyages in the last three seasons), the idea is mainly to situate ourselves in or between the Antarctic Sound and James Ross Island, close to the ice-edge and observe the emperor penguins on their way to the open water. We will use our helicopters in our attempts to search for individual Emperor Penguins.
Antarctic Peninsula with South Shetland Islands
- Cruise south to the South Shetland Islands and beyond to the frozen southern continent. Watch as the clearing mist reveals some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. Experience one of the most pristine regions in the world first-hand and enjoy the possible close encounters with spouting whales and the penguins that may very well be just as curious about you as you are about them. See how a landscape can take on a drastic change within only a few kilometers of distance as you transition from the South Shetlands down to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula
- All (sub-)Antarctic highlights in one voyage, with spectacular landing sites on the Falkland Islands and encounters with black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins. You’ll have the chance to meet at least six different penguin species. You’ll explore the transition from the sub-Antarctic to the Antarctic Polar Region, experiencing how the drop in temperature can make a huge impact on the colors of the surrounding landscapes; from the warmer tones of the sub-Antarctic side to the icy rugged beauty of the true Antarctic.
- Witness how those few degrees of difference in the transition zone can make the difference between an animal or plant species choosing to live on one side of the Antarctic Convergence (the Polar Front) or the other.
- This cruise includes also four days on South Georgia, probably the most beautiful place on earth. Be prepared for ten thousands of king penguins and their chicks, sea lions on the beaches, wandering albatrosses and Gentoo penguins and great historical sites including the trails of British Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. We plan a visit to Orcadas station on the South Orkney Islands and If the ice permits we will sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Antarctic Peninsula
- This Antarctic Peninsula is known as the “Classic Antarctic” route. Meet the great stars of the Antarctic, the penguins, found in the thousands in a variety of curious species. Investigate one of the most pristine regions left on Earth with the chance to have live encounters with spouting whales, and the penguins who may very well decide to investigate you. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and camp under the Antarctic sky.
Other Information
Boat Specifications
- Year Built: 1989
- Passengers: 108
- Cabins: 52
- Staff & crew: 52
- Length: 90.95 meters
- Breadth: 17.20 meters
- Draft: 5.4 meters
- Ice class: UL1 (Equivalent to 1A)
- Displacement: 4090 tonnes
- Propulsion: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
- Speed: 10.5 knots average cruising speed
Practical Information
- Language Spoken: English
- Electricity: 220v, 60Hz
- Payment Onboard: Credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (Euro or Dollar)
Got Questions? Ready to Book?
Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com
And let us book your dream vacation!
Underwater Gallery
