M/V Plancius

Destination: Antarctica

Antarctica (9-34 Nights) | From $662++/night

M/V Plancius 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.

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]

Check Out This Great Video!

Back to Menu 

Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

M/V Plancius Accommodation Overview

M/V "Plancius" accommodates 108 passengers in 52 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 11 twin porthole cabins, 25 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins (ca. 12,5 square meters), and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).

Quadruple Porthole & Twin Window Cabins

Twin Deluxe & Superior Cabins 

Back to Menu  

General Facilities

Dining/Lecture Room & Library

M/V Plancius Boat Features

• Restaurant/lecture room on deck 3
• Spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view
• Large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4)
• 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side

M/V Plancius 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 outboard motors
• Dive Buddy system
• 1-2 days per day (depending on the weather) 
• 8 divers per dive guide
• Maximum number of diving passengers: 24

Back to Menu  

M/V Plancius Liveaboard Deck Plan

Back to Menu

Schedule & Rates

M/V Plancius 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]

  Back to Menu Other Options

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
• Luggage transfer from drop off point, group transfers at disembarkation
• 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/from the vessel outside Spitsbergen
• 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

Back to Menu Other Options

Important Note

All rates are quoted per person in USD, based on twin occupancy.

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 +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

  Back to Menu  

Dive Information & Destinations

Marine Life

During the Antarctic dive expedition, you may observe penguins from under the surface as well as leopard seals. The Falkland Islands are rich in 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 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 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 Fur seals, Leopard seals, and 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 drysuit 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's 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.  

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 Plancius

• 
• The 12-day Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Plancius cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.

Atlantic Odyssey, incl. Antarctic Peninsula

• 
• The Atlantic Odyssey is a birdwatcher's delight as we cross paths with the migratory routes of species such as the Arctic Tern & the Long-tailed Skua. We visit some of the most remote islands in the world while crossing the Atlantic and the Equator.

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, elephant seals, 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 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, resting seals, 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.

Back to Menu  

Other Information

Boat Specifications

• Length: 89 meters (293 feet)
• Breadth: 14.5 meters (47 feet)
• Draft: 5 meters (16 feet)
• Ice class: 1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters)
• Displacement: 3211 tonnes
• Propulsion: 3x Diesel-Electric
• Speed: 10.5 knots average cruising speed
• Passengers: 108 in 52 cabins
• Staff & crew: 46

Practical Information

• Language Spoken: English
• Electricity: 220v, 60Hz
• Payment Onboard: Credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (Euro or Dollar)

Back to Menu

Back to Menu

Underwater Gallery 

Back to Menu