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Welcome to Aurora Expeditions’ special edition Wild Antarctica featuring the Weddell Sea Fly/Sail expedition, in partnership with New Scientist Discovery Tours.   

The Weddell Sea is renowned for its vast amounts of ice - sea ice, pack ice and gigantic icebergs. It is the perfect setting for a voyage in partnership with New Scientist Discovery Tours. For those with an interest in history, the Weddell Sea was central to Ernest Shackleton’s well-known expedition when the Endurance became trapped in the ice. In addition to ice-watching opportunities, the area is also rich in wildlife, geology, and palaeontology. We hope to see a variety of ice seals. On shore, you can search for ancient fossils of gastropods, large clams, and spiral-shaped ammonites. This is the perfect time of year to see curious whales, who are feeding before they begin their migration north to warmer waters. 

This unique cruise will be hosted aboard a new, state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel, the Sylvia Earle (built 2022). The Sylvia Earle is one of a handful of passenger ships to feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW, reducing fuel consumption and allowing a sleeker cruising experience. With no more than 130 guests, an amazing viewing space and a ship-build designed to minimise negative environmental impacts, the Sylvia Earle guarantees a far more enjoyable guest experience than the other older and larger expedition ships.

ANW011S is a Fly/Sail expedition, please refer to our Contingency Plans specific to Fly/Sail expeditions.

Highlights

Be awestruck by the array of wildlife that play and hunt in the Antarctic Sound.
Marvel at gigantic tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea.
Learn about the incredible fossil-rich volcanic islands from our onboard experts.
Hear tales of heroic exploration, tragedy and triumph in the Weddell region.

Aurora Expeditions is actively monitoring developments around Avian Influenza outbreaks closely and are is in constant communication with key authorities such as IAATO. We have implemented enhanced biosecurity measures for arrival in Antarctica and reinforced our onboard protocols, and our expedition team will continue to closely assess each landing site to ensure to determine any risks. 

The Avian Flu has extended its presence to South Georgia, leading to temporary restrictions at some landing sites. Although specific locations may be inaccessible due to the ongoing situation, landing at numerous open sites is still permitted. 

In the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage you to adopt a flexible and adventurous attitude when joining our voyages. This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond our control.

Itinerary

Staterooms and Prices

Choose your departure

Meet the Expert

Each voyage in partnership with New Scientist is accompanied by an expert Special Guest, who leads a vibrant program of expert-led talks, workshops, shore visits and Zodiac cruises, covering topics from polar science (including glaciology and marine biology) to the big-picture questions about life, the universe, and what it means to be human.

Included Activities

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Bird Watching
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Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
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Marine Mammal Spotting
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Photography
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Polar Plunge
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Scenic Cruising
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Trips Ashore
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Walking
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Wildlife Watching
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Zodiac Cruising

Add-on Activities

Low impact
Moderate
Difficult
Advanced

Our Ship

The Sylvia Earle

Capacity
130 Passengers Maximum
Year built
2022
Cabins
71
Length
104 m
Decks
8
Speed
10-12 knots

Extension Tours

Loyal Travelers

We love celebrating our loyal expeditioners who return to explore with us. After your first Aurora Expeditions voyage, you’ll automatically achieve Bronze Adventurer status. The more voyages you embark on, the higher you climb—progressing to Silver and eventually Gold!

Solo Travelers

Voyages with Aurora Expeditions are such a fantastic choice for solo travelers, giving you the chance to experience the world’s most remote and incredible destinations with like-minded travelers and our expert guides, while on board our small, social and welcoming ships.

Your Big Adventure Awaits

Every expedition is unique, shaped by weather, tides, ice, and our team’s deep local knowledge. Your Expedition Leader crafts each day for the best adventure. Want a glimpse of what it’s like? Browse a Voyage Log from a past journey.  Each log is a beautifully crafted, day-to-day recap featuring highlights, photos, guest moments, and wildlife sightings. Browse now and start dreaming of your own big adventure.