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.
2/20/2024
Read
National Geographic Resolution
Cape Horn and Beagle Channel
The huge distances we have covered on this journey meant that our last full day was spent almost completely at sea on our return leg from Antarctica. After a merciful lie-in, we crowded the decks as we sailed past Cape Horn, the majestic headland at the bottom tip of Hornos Island, the southernmost point of Tierra del Fuego and the entire South American continent. Despite its fearsome reputation, pleasant seas allowed for an enjoyable brunch before we plunged into our presentation schedule for the morning and afternoon. Naturalist Gail Ashton related her experience of living on the Antarctica continent for 18 months, Jonny Reid discussed marine mammal acoustics and the underwater soundscapes of this region, and Jess Farrer explained how the study of whale and seal poop can tell us so much about these animals. As we entered the Beagle Channel, the stunning mountains of Tierra del Fuego lined our passage to Ushuaia. Gathering in the Ice Lounge for the captain’s farewell party, we toasted a hugely enjoyable trip and the new friends we have made.