Arctic Diving and Natural History

Arctic Spitsbergen Diving, Wildlife & Marine Life Expedition
14 - 21 June 2010 from £2,550

NOTE: (Prices are per person based on twin share cabin with shared facilities.  All draft itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice,  weather conditions and opportunites to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for all expeditions).

A voyage on the waters of the Arctic seas is not one you merely take to reach your destination, but one to savour in itself, giving time and space to remove urban cobwebs and revitalise the mind.   From the outset the seascape is both rich and expansive, where one may marvel at the spectacle of dolphin acrobatics at the bow, view tail flukes on the horizon or witness polar bears floating by on the ice below.

The Arctic's vast and remote expanse, demands access and exploration by water.  Your vessel is no longer a means of transport, but your base camp; sustaining and protecting you, whilst at the same time taking you deeper into one of the wildest and most hostile places on the planet.  The Arctic instils a strong sense of detachment from the routine of modern commercial life.  

Aqua-Firma provides the opportunity to explore this remote wilderness by your choice of small expedition Icebreaker or by sailing yacht. Both vessels carry small groups of between 20-45 travellers, providing an intimate and stimulating atmosphere of like minded people. Each vessel however delivers a different experience:  The Russian research vessels are bold and powerful, hosting excellent viewing from the bridge, bow and decks throughout its length. One can watch in awe as the vessel deftly moves aside an ice mass equal in size to its own, whilst carving a path through the floes in its path.  The sailing yacht on the other hand, handsome and undoubtedly suited to the challenges of the Arctic, evokes a romance and an expeditionary sense of adventure which comes with moving as one with the nature rather than against it.

All Arctic experiences are enriched by interaction through lectures and discussions with expert naturalists and historians onboard. Every opportunity is made to take zodiac landings to explore the glaciers, icebergs and fjords of this frozen expanse, observe wildlife and visit historic sites.    

For the experienced dry-suit diver, the submarine ecosystems of the far north present a wild and undiscovered realm.  This is a challenging and ever changing World of blue sculpted ice, Arctic marine wildlife and the chance to dive where few have dived before.

Photo credits: Jan Belgers, Malcolm Blake, Chris Dobbs and Charlotte Caffrey