Paddling in Antarctica
Those who have paddled in Antarctica often call it the best part of their trip. Gliding silently in a kayak past snow and ice is an unmatched experience.
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Join an exclusive club of adventurers on an Antarctic submarine tour. During this surreal excursion, your high-tech vessel will descend into the mysterious depths of the Southern Ocean. With a 280-degree view from your purpose-built bubble, it’s an unforgettable experience.
Exploring by submarine
Two of our partner cruise ships, the Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture, offer you the chance to explore beneath Antarctica’s surface by mini-submarine as an optional add-on activity. Each thrilling underwater session lasts approximately 45 minutes, plus transfer time to and from the submarine.
These excursions operate while other passengers take part in zodiac cruises and landings. As they require deep water to function, you'll take a zodiac ride from the ship to meet them.
A crew member will welcome you onto a platform and help you board the sub. You’ll enter through a hatch into a clear acrylic orb before the submarine descends into the ocean. Your pilot will narrate the journey and, once you arrive closer to the seabed, turn on the external lights to give you an unparalleled view. After the initial onboard briefing, your chairs will also rotate to face the windows for a full-frontal look at the underwater scenery.
After resurfacing, the team above will help you back into the zodiac for your return to the ship. The pressure inside the submarine is the same as on the surface, so you won't need to decompress like you do when scuba diving.
Taking a submarine trip in Antarctica is ideal if you want to explore beneath the icy surface of the White Continent without getting cold and wet or needing any experience.
While scuba diving and snorkelling excursions offer the chance to explore polar waters, they're chillier endeavours and don’t allow you to reach the depths that these submarines can.
Getting into the sub
An eerie glow from the submarine
Yes, travelling by submarine in Antarctica is a safe activity. Measures are put in place to make sure each excursion runs smoothly, including a comprehensive briefing to prepare you in advance.
The subs have multiple built-in failsafe mechanisms, including robotic manipulator arms allowing them to disentangle themselves. They can also drop ballast if needed.
The submarines are operated by highly trained pilots who maintain constant radio contact with the surface, giving real-time updates on depth and instrument readings.
In the extremely unlikely event that anything happens to the pilot, the sub will automatically rise to the surface if no buttons are pressed within a five-minute period. Likewise, if the sub hits a particular depth, it also automatically begins rising.
Exploring Antarctica by submarine offers a rare opportunity to drift through an ethereal, otherworldly landscape. The stunning contrast of light and darkness underwater left our team members who tested this activity in awe.
Just like wildlife encounters above the surface, no two submarine descents will be the same. The thrill comes in the time spent at the bottom – 45-minute dives mean you'll see more and more as your eyes become accustomed to the eerie light. Watch as sea stars creep across the floor and octopus or even jellyfish make a fleeting appearance. The seabed could also be littered with colourful sponges and you might spot sea spiders among the delicate coral.
A sub sinks into the sea
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Soak up the Antarctic Peninsula's spectacular wildlife and landscapes from the ultra comfort of a modern, luxury ship. Balance time exploring ashore with sumptuous relaxation on board, where the highly trained onboard team caters to your every need. With the…
Sub trips are available on all Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture departures between November and March. Operations are dictated by the weather, swell and ice conditions.
Exploring Antarctica by submarine costs around $1,000 per person. Given how rare and unforgettable it is to dive beneath the icy waters and experience the continent's marine life, the intrepid Swoop staff who have taken the plunge wholeheartedly confirm that it's a worthwhile investment.
Your expedition jacket will be too bright, so you may need to pile on more base layers than on a typical landing. Pack a dark-coloured fleece and pair of waterproof trousers as your outer wear.
Swoop team members enjoy the submarine ride
Just a few years ago, exploring underneath Antarctica's waves was unthinkable. Luckily, technological advances have made it possible to experience the White Continent from a completely different perspective.
You can book your sub tour as soon as your polar expert at Swoop has confirmed your suite aboard the ship. We recommend organising your trip in advance as spaces are limited.
You'll set up an account, fill in your pre-travel information, and select and pay for the submarine excursion. Speak with our Antarctic experts for any help you need to plan your trip.
A submarine surfaces
Each underwater session lasts approximately 45 minutes, not including the time it takes to reach the submarine by zodiac boat.
While the submarine offers a once-in-a-lifetime perspective of life under the polar sea, there's no guarantee of wildlife sightings during your excursion. You're not likely to see any large wildlife species such as penguins, seals or whales. Instead, the focus will be on the spine-tingling experience of the descent and the microfauna you might encounter on the way.
You'll receive a refund aboard the ship if your submarine trip can't go ahead during your voyage due to unfavourable weather or ice conditions. Rest assured that getting you underwater is a top priority for the expedition team.
Your sub has the ability to dive to depths of up to 984 feet (300 meters). The team and pilot will decide how far down you'll navigate, depending on the chosen exploration site. In reality, most of the dives will aim for around half this depth and will focus on making your submarine experience the best it can be.
Each submarine accommodates up to six people, plus a pilot, for an intimate look at the White Continent’s underwater world.
There are no age or health restrictions for the excursion, although you'll need to be able to enter and exit the hula-hoop-sized entrance of the submarine – with some assistance – to take part.
Please note that all guests will be weighed (including gear and cameras). This will be done privately and the information is only shared with the submarine logisticians, who need these details for safe loading.
Yes, photography is allowed (without flash). The submarines have powerful lights to light up the surrounding area.
The inside temperature of the submarine is between 10-15C (50-60F), so it's much warmer than the Antarctic environment outside. Saying that, it's still important to layer up in the correct expedition clothing – you'll need to take a zodiac ride back and forth to the sub.
Those who have paddled in Antarctica often call it the best part of their trip. Gliding silently in a kayak past snow and ice is an unmatched experience.
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Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
1-855-369-8288We don’t charge a commission and there are no hidden fees. Just impartial, expert advice from the leading Polar cruise agent. Schedule a call with our Antarctic Experts today.
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