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Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales and Seals
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Highlights
Engage with globally-respected scientists who are actively collecting data on Antarctic marine mammals, especially whales
Participate in hands-on marine mammal identification workshops
Explore highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula
Learn about Antarctic wildlife, history, geology and glaciology from onboard polar experts
In addition observing whales, witness penguins, seals and birds
Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic with an optional paddling excursion.
In addition to daily presentations by polar experts, this itinerary also features hands-on educational opportunities as part of our new Science & Discovery program.
Gather with scientists, researchers and expedition guides to share findings and insights from the voyage.
Engage with interactive digital displays featuring multimedia content for self-guided discovery even when staff aren't present.
Learn how data collection methods, such as drones, wildlife tags, and biopsy and guano sampling, enable us to study the health, population, and migratory pathways of unique birds, whales, seals and other Antarctic marine mammals.
Review and discuss observations and explore samples collected during science Zodiac cruises with other participants.
Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic with an optional paddling excursion.
In addition to daily presentations by polar experts, this itinerary also features hands-on educational opportunities as part of our new Science & Discovery program.
Gather with scientists, researchers and expedition guides to share findings and insights from the voyage.
Engage with interactive digital displays featuring multimedia content for self-guided discovery even when staff aren't present.
Learn how data collection methods, such as drones, wildlife tags, and biopsy and guano sampling, enable us to study the health, population, and migratory pathways of unique birds, whales, seals and other Antarctic marine mammals.
Review and discuss observations and explore samples collected during science Zodiac cruises with other participants.
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeepingAll shore landings per the daily program
Meals
2 BreakfastsBeer and house wine during dinnerCoffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Guide
Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
Others
All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily programFormal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as scheduledPhotographic journal documenting the expeditionWaterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landingsOfficial Quark Expeditions® parka to keepComplimentary reusable water bottleHair dryer and bathrobe in every cabinComprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Arctic/Antarctic ReaderAll miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programAll luggage handling aboard the shipEmergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500, 000 per personMandatory price included
What's Excluded
Itinerary
Dive into the world of whales and seals on an Antarctic adventure unlike any other. The "Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales and Seals" cruise, starting and ending in Buenos Aires, is an 11-day expedition designed for travelers eager to go beyond sightseeing and actively participate in marine science.
Guided by renowned researchers, you’ll listen to haunting whale songs via hydrophones while kayaking or riding Zodiacs off the Antarctic Peninsula. Your hands-on role as a citizen scientist includes contributing to whale behavior studies, learning about new biotelemetry technologies, and working with the Happywhale platform to identify individual whales for conservation.
Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with migrating minke, humpback, and fin whales, while onboard the Science Hub offers a chance to engage in real research and conservation efforts. The tour’s unique selling point is its interactive, educational focus—inviting you to help protect marine mammals in one of Earth’s last pristine habitats. For those seeking an expedition that combines awe-inspiring wildlife with meaningful impact, this trip is truly unforgettable.
day 1 - Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Upon arriving in this fascinating South American city, known for its vibrant Argentinian culture, European architecture and cosmopolitan vibe, you will independently transfer to your pre- expedition hotel night, included in the Charter Flight and Hotel Package.
day 2 - Fly to Ushuaia and Embark
After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the designated meeting spot near the pier, where you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation. After a late afternoon embarkation, we will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be in the remote Antarctic wilderness.
Meals:Breakfast
day 3 - At Sea
Crossing the 800-km Drake is considered a rite of passage for many travelers. Traversing this legendary waterway means you’ll experience the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold, northward- flowing Antarctic waters meet the warmer, southward-flowing water of the sub-Antarctic. The mixing of cold and warm waters creates a nutrient-rich feeding ground, especially for whales and other marine mammals. Guests are encouraged to keep binoculars close at hand—and to be prepared for Expedition Team members to announce any whale sightings. The team of guest scientists will be introduced early in the voyage. Ari Friedlaender, who co-developed this itinerary, and members of his team from the Friedlaender Lab, are global authorities on the underwater behavior and ecology of marine mammals, particularly whales. Guests will also meet a research associate with the Happywhale platform, which enables citizens to upload their whale photos to help identify species and, possibly, individual whales. (See bios, page 13).
day 4 - At Sea
The second day of your Drake Passage crossing is an ideal time to attend scheduled polar presentations that will enhance your Antarctic experience. It’s also an excellent opportunity to visit the Science Hub on Deck 4 (see page 5), an instrumental part of your voyage. Spend time on deck watching for whales, which increase in number as we approach the Peninsula—and remember to upload your whale photos to the Happywhale platform.
days 5 to 7 - Antarctic Peninsula
The timing of this voyage maximizes opportunities to observe various whale species along the Antarctic Peninsula. After the ice recedes in October and November, the food chain begins to reestablish itself. Whales, seals and other marine mammals are drawn to these rich feeding grounds—especially for the krill. By February and March, these creatures, which have been intensely feeding, are satiated and relaxed, making them more easier to spot. In addition to the Zodiac and paddling excursions, we plan to spend a lot of time on the outer decks and other vantage points on the ship to spot—and photograph—wildlife. We’ll spend our days in key marine mammal habitats of the Gerlache Strait and remote inner glacial bays. Over the next three days, we aim to explore whale hotspots such as Charlotte Bay, Portal Point, Graham Passage, Errera Channel, Cuverville Island, Andvord Bay, Fournier Bay and Dallmann Bay. Past whale sightings in these areas have included minke, humpback, fin, orca and the elusive, deep-diving Arnoux's beaked whale. Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales & Seals is our only itinerary during which we’ll deploy hydrophones— underwater microphones that detect and record sound below the surface. You will have opportunities—during Zodiac cruises and paddling programs—to accompany Friedlaender Lab scientists as they deploy hydrophones to monitor and study marine mammal behavior, such as the vocalizations of whales. Four scientists will accompany guests in Zodiacs, with one hydrophone shared between two groups. Speakers will enable participants to listen for and, hopefully, hear whale sounds beneath the ocean surface. Engaging with scientists who are actively collecting and collating data that can be shared in real time on the water, and, through digital visual aids, brings marine biology to life in a way that transcends the water line. This activity is also available to World Voyager guests who join the Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) program. In addition to the citizen science programming, this itinerary will also feature the wonders of Antarctica: penguins, seals, immense glaciers, snowcapped mountains, icebergs, shore landings, and the polar plunge.
day 8 - South Shetlands
Rounding out our marine mammal experiences, we hope to witness southern elephant seals in the rugged and fabled South Shetland Islands. We’ll also keep our fingers crossed for sightings of fin whales. We'll explore this geological and historic archipelago while prioritizing shore landings, which offer further opportunities for wildlife sightings. Arriving in March allows us the rare opportunity to potentially explore key excursion sites such as Hannah Point, which is deemed a Restricted Area from early to mid-season. Massive populations of elephant seals and southern giant petrels make for awe-inspiring experiences. As with any expedition, shore landings along the coast are dependent on favorable weather.
day 9 - At Sea
Today is the start of the journey back across the Drake Passage. This is an excellent opportunity to spend more time engaging with the Friedlaender Lab scientists, or attend one of the scheduled polar presentations.
day 10 - At Sea
Today is your last opportunity to visit Quark Expeditions' new Science Hub and contribute to citizen science that will support marine mammal conservation efforts. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “No one will protect what they don’t care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
day 11 - Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Guests will be transferred to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.
