If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Antarctica but the thought of crossing the Drake Passage leaves you cold (pardon the pun), there are ways around it. We’ve all heard the stories of the dreaded crossing and while these days, ships are built with cutting-edge stabilisers to reduce the movement, you’re still likely to need the old anti-nausea tablets unless you’ve got an iron-clad stomach or are a hardened seafarer. Some people strike it lucky and get what is known as the “Drake Lake” where the waters are calm and everyone wonders what the fuss is about but that’s never guaranteed. It is all part of the adventure – you are travelling to one of the most wild and untamed parts of the earth after all! But there is a way to experience Antarctica without crossing the Drake Passage.
Luckily for us in Australia and New Zealand, the gateway for this part of Antarctica is nice and close – the South Island of New Zealand. Heading out from Dunedin, you can follow in the footsteps of Scott and Shackleton into the Antarctic realms, with the opportunity to see remnants of their camps. You’ll have the opportunity to see penguins, seals, whales and more as you cruise these magnificent waters.
Image: Shackleton's Hut | JJ L'Heureux | Heritage Expeditions
In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands en route which is a whole different experience in itself! Pristine islands meticulously preserved to maintain their natural state, these islands are the perfect breeding grounds for birds and marine life alike and the numbers here are just mind-blowing.
Many people end up visiting either Antarctic or the Subantarctic Island or visiting both separately but there are opportunities to visit both in one trip. For example, Heritage Expeditions offer a 26 night voyage ex Queenstown, calling into The Snares, Enderby Island and Macquarie Island before heading into Antarctica’s Ross Sea region. Each trip is different due to the unpredictable nature of ice, weather conditions and wildlife so the Captain and Expedition Leader assess the conditions daily to take advantage of every opportunity to take guests out in Zodiacs or make landings.
Image: Richard Young | Heritage Expeditions
Meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner and expeditions/shore excursions are all included as well as a programme of lectures by noted naturalists. Expeditions such as these are about immersing yourself in the destination and experience. It’s about getting out in the Zodiac and feeling the crisp chill on your face and breathing in the wonder of the icebergs and solitude of this incredible place. It’s about talking to experts who have studied the flora and fauna and love to pass on their knowledge to educate visitors about what they’re seeing. It’s quite simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.
Take a look at Heritage Expeditions’ “In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton” voyage