Ushuaia & the Drake
Embark in Ushuaia, then spend two days crossing the Drake Passage among the seabirds and changing waters of the Antarctic Convergence.
ZOTZ Expeditions · Antarctica
Antarctica 2028
Beyond the Polar Circle
March 11–23, 202813 days · 12 nights
Embarkation
Ushuaia, Argentina
01 / The expedition
m/v Ortelius · OTL32-28
Cross the Polar Circle in the late Antarctic summer.
From Ushuaia, cross the Drake Passage and enter the iceberg-rich waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is a flexible expedition voyage shaped by ice, weather, wildlife and the moment.
DatesMarch 11–23, 2028
Duration13 days / 12 nights
Shipm/v Ortelius
RouteUshuaia return
TripcodeOTL32-28
Polar DivingUSD 700 add-on
Diving1–2 dives daily planned
Depth limit20 m / 65 ft
The route
The Antarctic Peninsula, south to the Circle.
A voyage plan is a guide, never a promise: the expedition leader adapts every day to ice, weather, wildlife, permits and safe access.
Antarctic Peninsula
Possible landings and Zodiac operations include Livingston, Deception, Cuverville, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, Pléneau, Petermann, Crystal Sound, Detaille, Fish and Melchior Islands.
Northbound & return
Recross the Drake Passage, then disembark in Ushuaia with a pre-scheduled transfer to the airport.
The expedition mindset
Built for divers who have earned their place in the cold.
Antarctica rewards preparation, judgment and teamwork. This is an expedition for divers who understand that the conditions are part of the experience.
Wild Antarctica
Ice, whales, penguins and a changing coastline.
Late summer brings prolific humpback whales feeding on krill, fledging penguin chicks on the beaches and a landscape constantly redrawn by wind, water and ice. Expect the possibility of humpback, minke and fin whales; gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins; leopard, crabeater and elephant seals; albatrosses, petrels and skuas.
Optional program
Polar diving.
USD 700 pp.
A separate activity for experienced cold-water divers. Plan for one to two shallow dives per day from Zodiac boats, exploring ice walls, marine life and occasionally wrecks.
How it operates
Maximum depth is 20 m / 65 ft. Dive days depend on weather and ice; divers operate with their buddy while the guide remains on the surface for oversight.
On-board support
Oceanwide supplies steel 12 L tanks with two outlets, a compressor and weights. Personal dive equipment and spares are each diver’s responsibility.
What is covered
The voyage, stated clearly.
Included
Voyage aboard m/v Ortelius
All meals on board, plus snacks, coffee and tea
Zodiac shore excursions and activities
Expedition staff and naturalist lectures
Expedition boots and snowshoes
Port charges, service taxes and pre-departure material
1.5 GB of Wi-Fi per day
Not included
International and domestic airfare
Pre- and post-voyage arrangements
Meals ashore, visa and passport expenses
Travel, cancellation and personal insurance
Personal expenses, excess baggage and gratuities
Polar Diving Program (USD 700 per person)
Double occupancy investment
Select your twin cabin.
Prices are per person in US dollars, based on double occupancy. Polar Diving is an optional USD 700 supplement.
Twin Porthole
USD 14,800per person · double occupancyTwin Window
USD 15,350per person · double occupancyTwin Deluxe
USD 17,100per person · double occupancyPolar Diving Program
USD 700per person · optional add-onPolar diving profile
For established dry-suit divers.
At least Advanced Open Water certification
Minimum 30 logged dry-suit dives
Cold-water dry-suit experience
First-day check dive required
Two freeze-protected regulator sets
Personal polar dive equipment required
The dive leader may exclude a participant who does not demonstrate the required experience during the check dive. Diving is undertaken at the participant’s own risk.
“The polar regions are not the place to test new equipment.”
Bring tested gear, redundant cold-water regulators and appropriate exposure protection.
A shared crossing
The people are part of the route.
Between landings, Zodiac operations and days at sea, the expedition becomes a shared story aboard Ortelius.
Cancellation policy
Simple, stated in advance.
100+ days before departure
20% cancellation fee.
99–70 days before departure
50% cancellation fee.
69 days or fewer
100% cancellation fee.
Antarctica 2028
Ready to go beyond the Polar Circle?
Request the complete expedition brief, cabin availability and polar diving details.
DM more info Ushuaia, Argentina · March 11–23, 2028