ANTARCTIC
Expedition 2026
Adventure of a Lifetime!
Join us for an exclusive and unique opportunity to experience the Antarctic summer. The most remote of the Earth’s continents, Antarctica is filled with grandeur, history, and some of the most unique wildlife the planet has to offer.
This is a one-of-a-kind expedition!
For the first time ever, an expedition will attempt to scuba dive at Shag Rocks. Assuming research permits are approved, all participants will have the opportunity to assist with specimen curation on the vessel.
The expedition has been scheduled to maximize the best possible weather and sea state conditions. This will afford us the greatest possibility of seeing copious marine and terrestrial life.
Exclusive Guided Antarctic Expedition
This exclusive and fully guided voyage is open to divers and non-divers alike. This is an incredible experience whether at sea, on land, or underwater. Non-divers will land daily on the Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, while divers explore below the surface. Divers will also have the opportunity to land and view first-hand the stunning scenery and amazing life of this pristine part our earth.
Most active people will have the correct cold-weather clothing for this voyage, but specialized boots are provided by the boat for the land based activities. Regarding temperatures, you should be prepared as though you would be spending an entire day outside skiing.
Scuba diving will be available, but the number of divers is extremely limited. You will need to have completed at least 30 drysuit dives. Cylinders and weights are included; you provide all other equipment. We cannot guarantee a particular number of dives, as diving is extremely weather dependent.
Antarctic Life
You can expect to see many species of penguins, leopard seals, Weddell Seals, Antarctic fur seals, dusky dolphins, albatrosses, skuas, snow petrels, and whales (orcas, minkes, and southern right whales are common). Benthic fauna includes nudibranchs, gigantic sea spiders and isopods, fish with antifreeze in their blood, anemones, brachiopods, crinoids, and many other animals unique to Antarctica.
Expedition Dates
Dives are anticipated to be undertaken at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and Antarctica, and — for the first time ever — at Shag Rocks. Due to the extremely challenging conditions at Shag Rocks, only divers who have demonstrated skill competency during the Falkland Island dives will be permitted to dive here.
We will then continue to South Georgia Island, where we’ll be able to visit Ernest Shackleton’s grave, the Grytviken whaling station, and the vast penguin colonies. Finally, we will continue to the Antarctic Peninsula. On one side of the ship we will view 10,000ft-high peaks, while streaming past picturesque, ice-shrouded islands on the other. Note that the itinerary is subject to weather and ice conditions.
DEPART: 16 February 2026
RETURN: 9 March 2026
This trip is being hosted by Next Generation Services and Oceanwide Expeditions. Both companies have extensive experience in conducting tours and expeditions in remote locations, and have traveled to the region before.
The Voyage
We will depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, aboard the ice-strengthened m/v Plancius; 293 feet long, 3211 tons, and carrying a maximum of only 108 passengers. Our first port of call will be the Falkland Islands. Steeped in history, these islands are home to much wildlife and great diving. The vessel will then set sail again to Shag Rocks Rocks for two days of birding and scuba diving.
The Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetlands
No expedition to the Antarctic is complete without setting foot on the seventh continent. But there is so much more to Antarctica than this. The whales, birds, seals, penguins and iconic icebergs are the reason to go to Antarctica. The views of the endless snowcapped peaks and the pack ice are literally like no other.
In addition to this, there is a palpable sense of history… abandoned whaling stations, research bases, wrecks…. This is your chance to feel what the intrepid explorers of the Golden Age of Antarctic exploration experienced!
TRIP ORGANIZER
Payment Schedule
With Application: $5,000
July 15, 2024: $5,000 additional due ($10,000 total)
January 1, 2025: $5,000 additional due ($15,000 total)
May 1, 2025: $5,000 additional due ($20,000 total)
By September 15, 2025: Balance of expedition fees due
An Exclusive Antarctic Experience Awaits!
Don’t miss this chance to embark on a journey of discovery, exploration, and personal growth. Whether you’re diving beneath the waves, hiking breathtaking landscapes, or engaging with Antarctic wildlife, this expedition promises memories to last a lifetime!
Jeffrey Bozanic, Ph.D.
Jeff is an experienced Antarctic diver, having spent multiple seasons working on the Ice, as the Dive Locker Technician supporting the scientific diving for the U.S. Antarctic program, and having led numerous ecotourism trips to the Peninsular region. He is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society.
Expedition Fees (per person)
Prices include: Expedition and shore excursions, rubber boots, diving tanks and weights, all shipboard guiding fees, all meals on board the vessel.
Not Included: Flights, airport transfers, hotels, departure taxes, alcoholic drinks, personal expenses, food on shore, land-based tours, dive equipment, dive and travel insurance (mandatory), and personal clothing.
Optional Activities
In addition to the optional scuba diving, there are also options for camping overnight on Antarctica, and for a morning or afternoon kayak experience. No prior experience necessary for either activity, but you must be in good health. Space for both activities is very limited, so you must reserve these early if desired.
For More Details
Jeff Bozanic – JBozanic@gmail.com Tel: +1-714-747-2727
Reserve Your Spot Now!
Space on this epic trip is limited, especially for divers. Reserve space now with a $5,000 USD deposit, payable to Next Generation Services. Note that payments are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another replacement individual identified by the original depositor. If the vessel cancels, participants will receive a refund of their deposits from Oceanwide Expeditions.
All content, images and text copright © Jeffrey Bozanic (except as noted). All rights reserved worldwide. No images or text may be copied, duplicated, modified, or redistributed in part of whole (except for printing for personal reference) without prior written consent from Jeffrey Bozanic.