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Sarah D

Originally hailing from Northern Ireland, Sarah has spent the last 10 years exploring the world as a keen snowboarder and foodie. An avid traveller with in-depth experience in the industry, she has dedicated the last two decades of her career to helping people have incredible experiences.

My Antarctic stats My top Antarctic experiences More about me My photos of Antarctica What our customers think of Sarah

My Antarctic stats

Began working in travel: 2018

Antarctic activities tested: Camping, Paddling, Snowshoeing, Snorkelling

Polar plunges braved: 1

My top Antarctic experiences

Sarah celebrating her visit to the 7th continent

Approaching Antarctica, I watched a raft of Adélie penguins porpoising beside my balcony before relaxing in the hot tub with a glass of wine to watch whale blows in the distance. This immediate welcome, complete with icebergs and wildlife, felt like Antarctica greeting us personally

Seeing a pod of approximately 30 orcas swimming ahead of the vessel for around 30 minutes. We were surrounded by stunning icebergs and icy cliffs as we watched them head off on their next feeding sortie. The whole ship was out watching and everyone was so excited - including the expedition team!

Walking up the hill on Danco Island and being stopped because the penguins were using the penguin highway. There is nothing cuter than watching two penguins try to pass each other in a narrow track

Snowshoeing to the top of a hill, with perfect blue skies, right beside the Lemaire channel we had just sailed through. We could see for miles and could see the mountains of the Peninsula
Settling down for bed while camping on a sun-drenched island, I watched the magnificent Antarctic twilight take hold. The sun slowly 'set' in beautiful hues of yellow and orange while humpback whales fed in the bay before us and penguins hopped along the shore, making for an unforgettable scene. The twilight glow stayed with us throughout the entire night, creating a magical, ethereal light

More about me

Portrait of Sarah in front of an icy Antarctic landscape

Sarah soaking up the Antarctic scenery

I began working in the travel industry in 2018 after returning home from university, but when my branch closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, I took the opportunity to move back to the French Alps, where I managed a resort for a chalet company. Though I loved it, I was finally drawn back to Northern Ireland. Once settled, I connected with Swoop – and here I am, continuing to support people in living out their dream experiences.

I believe there's nothing better than exploring the world, trying new things and meeting new people! I’m also hugely passionate about animals, so anywhere you can see wildlife in its natural habitat is an even bigger plus for me.

Antarctica has to be the all-time bucket list destination – from the penguins and landscapes to the history and adventure activities, I’m not sure it can be beaten.

I’m a Polar Customer Experience Coordinator here at Swoop, meaning that once your trip is booked, I’ll be on hand every step of the way. Anything you need, whether it's advice on what to wear or assistance with booking extra nights in hotels, I'm happy to help.