5 reasons to explore the Weddell Sea
- Limited to only a handful of unique voyages each year, explore the little visited, distinct and ice-choked Weddell Sea
- Renowned for its vast tabular icebergs which provide fantastic photographic opportunities
- Historically significant - it was here that Shackleton's ship Endurance became trapped in ice, precipitating the greatest rescue story
- The chance to see an Emperor penguin - the Weddell is the only place where they breed so far north
- Explore large penguin rookeries, including volcanic Paulet Island with its 100,000 pairs of Adelies
Weddell Sea Voyages
How to get to the Weddell Sea
Setting sail from Ushuaia at the tip of South America, your expedition ship will guide you through the Drake Passage towards the South Shetlands, before navigating to the east of the Antarctica Peninsula and into the Weddell Sea. The northwestern Weddell Sea is the only accessible part, due to thick ice, which makes for an exciting and adventurous voyage.
Expect huge tabular icebergs, incredible sunrises, and penguins galore - the Weddell Sea is the heart of Adelie penguin territory! Discover more on getting to Antarctica.
Tabular iceberg in the Weddell Sea © Ira Meyer
What our customers think of Weddell Sea Cruises
Weddell Sea Cruises trips scored 4.5/5 from 4 reviews
Review:
The Weddell Sea: FAQs
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What's the best time of year to visit the Weddell Sea?
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What's different about the Weddell Sea compared to the Western side of the Antarctic Peninsula?
A much starker more featureless landscape, much less picturesque then on the western side of the Antarctic peninsula, but no less beautiful. The other key difference is how few ships and people each year explore the Weddell Sea.
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Will I get to see Emperor penguins?
You might be lucky enough to see an isolated bird on an iceberg, however the larger colonies are inland which requires helicopter access.
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What's the danger of getting iced in as Shackleton's Endurance did?
There is some risk, particularly travelling in the Weddell earlier in the season, however during the summer months travelling on an ice strengthened ship you are unlikely to.
Weather & Wildlife in Antarctica
Read Swoop's Guides to discover how the weather changes through the Seasons and what the wildlife is doing throughout the different months.
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