"After being part of Aqua-Firma's diving and photography expedition to Antarctica this March I didn't think I could have another experience of a life time. But Aqua-Firma's Arctic diving and Photography expedition that I have just returned from has surpassed all my expectations. Not only did we have three great amazing wildlife photographers (Paul Nicklen, Franco Banfi and Rick Price) on board but we saw Polar Bears, Walrus, Minke whales, Beluga whales, ring seals, fur seals, arctic fox, reindeer, arctic flowers, puffins, little auks, arctic terns and many more beautiful birds. Some of our animal encounters were up close and personal and some a little more in the distance.
The diving was a makro fest and I got to see lots of cliones, which is something I have longed to do since I heard about them. As the pack ice was fast moving we had to change our course a few times and to take part in expedition diving, in sites that where unknown, is just amazing. The dive guides couldn't do more to ensure we enjoyed our diving and ensured our safety at all times, especially during a pack ice dive.
I did enjoy the landings that I chose to join, the land expedition crew where amazing in their knowledge and couldn't do more to ensure we enjoyed ourselves but were kept safe.

All the staff did anything and everything to ensure we all had an amazing experience, divers and photographers, and having Charlotte there from Aqua- Firma as our personal guide, ensured we were all extra special expeditioners.
The ice breaking afternoon, the midnight sun, the walrus colony, the clione, the amazing group of people I met,  and of course the polar bears where my highlights in yet another experience of a lifetime. I am going with Aqua-Firma to the Seychelles this October for a Whale Shark Conservation, I am sure it will be the third experience of a lifetime and all in the same year. Thank you so much to Charlotte and everyone at Aqua-Firma. "

Stacy Valentine RN BA (Hons) PGD. (Diver)

"One of the best trips I'd ever done to date was the Whale-shark experience with Aqua-Firma in the Seychelles...
So when I found out that Aqua-Firma explore the Polar Regions I knew that it would be well organised and an adventure but also that we and the wildlife would be well looked after. Now I am back from the Arctic I have to say that I'm running out of superlatives to describe the experience. My friends are already bored of me talking about "amazing this" and "incredible that." I need more words! It was wonderful to have the wildlife encounters that we did - a beachful of walrus and a completely non-camera shy ringed seal (seemingly after a modelling contract!) were highlights as well as the much hoped for glimpse of polar bears on the last day. Another memorable moment for me was when the ship broke through ice - a really unique and extremely exciting experience! But it is probably the stunningly beautiful scenery (often best at around midnight) that will stay imprinted in my mind the longest. The effect of the sun shining on the water and ice is incredible, and the sheer vastness of these scenes is awesome and very humbling. Our cameras have in no way captured the true beauty and calmness of this place. Along with all of this I have been privileged to meet a fabulous group of people, several of whom I can now count as friends. I haven't laughed as much and had such fun in a very long time. And again I have Charlotte to thank for creating and being part of all this. I can't think of much to improve the trip other than just a little more time in this amazing place with these lovely people! All that's left to do is start saving up for Antarctica!"

Tanya Page (non-diver) 

"Often after a holiday you miss the place you visited less and less as time passes, but funnily enough I am missing it more and more - that crystal water, blue ice, dramatic and desolate landscape had a really unworldly quality about it and I really hope that I will go back again someday. In the meantime I must strongly resist the temptation to take up diving ...  Instead; I will content myself for the time being by revisiting your fabulous photographs of what you saw below the surface!"

Jonathan Sinclair (non-diver)