Antarctica Diving
	- Diving in Antarctica - Required Equipment - MV Grigoriy Mikheev - Bookings
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Antarctica sits at the "End of the World," and for this reason alone, is enough to compel many people to travel here. Like the early explorers who first visited this faraway continent in the 1800s, travelers today revel in the chance to venture to a pristine region where relatively few humans have stepped foot before.

The beautiful surroundings of the Antarctic Peninsula is a paradise for all divers, adventurers, naturalists and photographers with its amazing array of colours, moods and diverse wildlife. The opportunity to be in the company of thousands of penguins, watching whales and seals, and cruise around in zodiacs between brilliant white icebergs and ice floes will fill you with awe.

The Russian ice breaker MV Grigoriy Mikheev departs from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

Ushuaia is the Southern-most city in the world and is located in the shadow of the Andes, right on the shore of Beagle Channel, one of world’s most stunning locations. Flights to Ushuaia commonly depart from Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Arriving at least 1 day prior to departure will help you acclimatise to the time difference and relax after your long flight from either Buenos Aires or Santiago. Expect wonderful views of the Beagle Channel, and the peaks of the "Five Brothers" from the airplane on its descent.

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Antarctica 2009 Travel (PDF)

Attractions
Antarctica is the last continent where wildlife exists without excessive pressures of man.

The great attraction of Antarctic wildlife is the huge numbers of individual species that can be observed, and the fact that much of it is incredibly tame and approachable. This makes for not only very rewarding encounters, but also fantastic opportunities for photography.

Major highlights include the penguins; colonies of several thousand can be found nesting throughout the area. Humpback, Orca, and Minke whales are often spotted nosing out of the frigid water, as are Elephant, Weddell, Leopard and Crabeater seals.

Diving in Antarctica is an unique experience for the advanced (drysuit) diver. Not just ice but an amazing underwater world with an interesting marine life filled with creatures that look as if they come from another world like Giant Isopods, worms and fearless seals.

The diversity of benthos with the rays of sunlight create an overwhelming and ever-changing spectrum of colours. We take our time to explore the Kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, Sea Butterflies, various Antarctic fish, Shrubby Horse-tails, jelly-fish, sea-hedgehogs, starfish and krill, and appreciate what only a few divers have seen before you.

One of our specialties is Photography, underwater as well as on land.

Requirements

Ice diving requires an extensive amount of additional equipment because of the cold weather and water, and the remote location involved. Divers in cold water may have a higher air consumption rate, expend more energy, and can become more fatigued. Cold water also decreases a diver’s ability to perform complex tasks that require manual dexterity. Staying warm is an important element in your polar diving adventure.

The only adequate protection from thermal exposure in the Arctic and Antarctica where the water will be as cold as –1ºC/30ºF, is a dry suit. The type of dry suit you use is not important so long as it fits you, is waterproof and you are comfortable using it. Neoprene dry suits have the benefit of having good stretch and extra insulation.

Note: The dive operation on board provides tanks, a compressor and weights. Each diver needs to bring his or her own equipment. Before you come on board you must have tested your equipment to make sure you are comfortable with it and it is not damaged.

Bookings must be made in well in advance, as the diving season is short and places are limited