MUDGEE'S ONLY DIVE CENTRE
 
ANTARCTICA

Download the latest Dive Adventures Brochure for Antarctica:

www.diveadventures.com.au/brochures/Antarctica.pdf 

        Click on the map for more information on Antarctica

Antarctica sits literally at the "End of the World." This alone is sufficient reason to compel people to travel here. Travellers today revel in the chance to venture to a pristine region where relatively few humans have stepped foot before.

The beautiful surroundings of the Antarctic Peninsula is a paradise for everyone - divers, adventurers, naturalists and photographers due to its amazing array of colours, moods and diverse wildlife. The opportunity to be in the company of thousands of penguins, watching whales and seals, and cruise around in zodiacs between brilliant white icebergs and ice floes will fill anyone with awe.

The Russian ice breaker MV Grigoriy Mikheev departs from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. As you depart from Sth America, this is one of the contributing factors to this being a very expensive - but worth every dollar - trip. Ushuaia is the Southern-most city in the world and is located in the shadow of the Andes, right on the shore of Beagle Channel, renown as one of world’s most stunning locations.  

Attractions (...it aint the cold water)
The great attraction of Antarctic wildlife is the huge numbers of individual species that can be observed, and the fact that much of it is incredibly tame and approachable. This makes for not only very rewarding encounters, but also fantastic opportunities for photography.

Major highlights include the penguins; colonies of several thousand can be found nesting throughout the area. Humpback, Orca, and Minke whales are often spotted nosing out of the frigid water, as are Elephant, Weddell, Leopard and Crabeater seals.

Diving in Antarctica is an unique experience for the advanced (dry suit) diver. Not just ice but an amazing underwater world with an interesting marine life filled with creatures that look as if they come from another world like Giant Isopods, worms and fearless seals.

The diversity of the benthos with the rays of sunlight, create an overwhelming and ever-changing spectrum of colours. Explore the Kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, Sea Butterflies, various Antarctic fish, Shrubby Horse-tails, jelly-fish, sea-hedgehogs, starfish and krill, and appreciate what only a few divers have seen before you.


Requirements
Ice diving requires an extensive amount of additional equipment because of the cold weather and water, and the remote location involved. Divers in cold water may have a higher air consumption rate, expend more energy, and can become more fatigued.

Cold water also decreases a diver’s ability to perform complex tasks that require manual dexterity. Staying warm is an important element in your polar diving adventure.

The only adequate protection from thermal exposure in Antarctica where the water will be as cold as -1ºC, is a dry suit. The type of dry suit you use is not important so long as it fits you, is waterproof and you are comfortable using it. Neoprene dry suits have the benefit of having good stretch and extra insulation.

Note: The dive operation on board provides tanks, a compressor and weights. Each diver needs to bring his or her own equipment. Before you come on board you must have tested your equipment to make sure you are comfortable with it and it is not damaged.

If you plan on doing this trip, note that bookings must be made in well in advance, as the diving season is short and places are limited.