If one heeds the warnings of Shackleton’s adventures, then the Weddell Sea is something to be feared. To explore its vastness is a challenge fraught with shifting ice, but National Geographic Explorer took on that challenge with great success. In the early hours, we navigated the ice in search of marine mammals, of which we found a multitude. Setting off in our Zodiacs, guests experienced lunge-feeding humpback and minke whales at eye level. In the afternoon, we were rewarded with killer whales, specifically Type B2s, which are found only in the Antarctic peninsula. Guests spent the afternoon enjoying the vistas of ice and wildlife, and the evening presented the kind of sunset that lasts in one’s memory for a lifetime.
11/14/2024
Read
National Geographic Endurance
Drake Passage
Traveling south aboard National Geographic Endurance , we ride the steady rhythm of the following seas toward Antarctica. Albatrosses, prions, and petrels accompany us, their effortless flight a constant presence above the waves. These seabirds, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions, escort the ship through one of the most remote regions on earth. In the galley, preparations continue as usual, with the occasional clatter of a spatula against a pan punctuating the ship’s daily routines. This small sound offers a sense of normalcy amidst the vast and untamed Southern Ocean. Outside, the air sharpens, and the sea begins to hint at the icy landscapes ahead. As the ship presses on, the anticipation grows. The seabirds continue to follow, a living connection to the wilderness around us. Soon, icebergs will break the horizon, and the familiar blue of the ocean will give way to the stark whites of Antarctica. Each mile south reinforces the sense of entering a world where survival is a delicate balance, and every element of life must adapt to extremes. The journey promises discovery and an encounter with one of the planet’s last frontiers.
