Antarctica Citizen Science Expedition - January 9-22, 2026 - Underwater Photography

Join Faith Ortins of Blue Green Expeditions and other polar diving specialists, image makers, and scientists, on an amazing citizen science expedition to Antarctica! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW 2026 represents the 152nd anniversary of the Challenger's crossing of the southern polar circle. This expedition is to honor their contribution to our understanding of the world's oceans while simultaneously exploring Antarctica. This expedition is more than just a dive trip. Here we will pool our resources and time to assist scientists and image makers in adding to our understanding of the Antarctic region...as well as getting a little "fun" time in Antarctica! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWThe goals of this expedition are to:Raise $100,000-$150,000 in donations for organizations dedicated to developing interest in marine careers.Contribute $22,000 to carbon offsets to minimize the environmental impact of the expedition's carbon footprintUse the images, videos, and data collected by the image professionals and citizen scientists to develop multimedia educational tools across platforms, including live streaming to classrooms.Bring image makers to Antarctica whose efforts will contribute to a greater appreciation of the delicate Antarctic ecosystem.Use the expertise of scientists, with the assistance of citizen scientists, to explore new areas. Projects include plankton tows, reef surveys of key indicator species, sample collections, and marine mammal ID. We have the entire Oceanwide Expeditions ship m/v Ortelius for this expedition - this will be an amazing adventure so reserve your spot now!!! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWItinerary This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula Expedition will take you south of Antarctica, crossing the Polar Circe. We will pass through waters traveled by whales, anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters. Day 1 ~ End of the World, Start of a Journey Embarking from Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina, located on the far southern tip of South America and nicknamed, “The End of the World.” Day 2-3 ~ Path of the Polar Explorers Over two-days on the Drake Passage you will enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions. Day 4-7 ~ Entering Antarctica The intended route for your Antarctic adventure includes: Cuverville Island – Nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island housing a large colony of Gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas.Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow offering opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing.Paradise Bay – A potential Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters before sailing to the Lemaire Channel.Pourquoi Pas Island – Known for its tight fjords and lofty, glacier-crowded mountains. Horseshoe Island- The location of the former British Base Y that is still equipped with almost all the technology it had originally.Day 8-10 ~ Through the GulletPossibilities include:Stonington Island – home to the former US East Base and British Base E, occupied until 1975, and the southernmost landing site of the trip – 68° south.Hanusse Bay – a chance of spotting whales through the icebergs in this scenic bay.The Whales of Crystal SoundHumpback whales, unimaginable views, birdlife, Adélie penguins congregating among the icebergs, possible Zodiac cruise, and a potential landing.Day 11-12 ~ Familiar Seas, Familiar Friends crossing the DrakeDay 13 ~ There and Back Again Arrival back at Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina with the memories of a lifetime! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWPackage PricingNotesThere are a variety of cabins on the m/v Ortelius, part of the Oceanwide Expeditions polar ﬂeet, and the trip price is dependent on the cabin selected.The hotel in Ushuaia is based upon double occupancyAll pricing is quoted in US Dollars, is per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise notedPricing is per person, is based on the class of cabin selected, is based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted, and in US Dollars The cabin based pricing is per person, based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted Quad - $12,900 USD, based on quad occupancyTwin Porthole - $14,400 USDTwin Window - $15,400 USDTwin Deluxe - $16,200 USDSuperior - $17,200 USD This unique adventure will sell out quickly so please reserve your spot soon! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWYour All Inclusive Trip IncludesAccommodations aboard the m/v Ortelius, part of the Oceanwide Expeditions polar ﬂeet.All meals aboard the shipDiving, 1-2 dives a day including tanks and weights.As this will be a citizens science oriented trip, the ship will have extra staﬀ on board to ensure a great experience.The Expedition will be lead by Faith Ortins and other polar diving experts.Photography, historical, ecological, and scientific presentationsHotel stay in Ushuaia, Argentina on February 20, 2022 - the night before the ship leaves. It is important to get there early in case luggage gets delayed.Diving DetailsWater temperature: ~32FAir temperature: 30-45FDepths to 80 feetCold water with good to great visibilityIcebergsOther ActivitiesHikingWildlife interactionsZodiac toursRESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWRestrictions - Approval Process Required Given the advanced nature of this expedition all divers must be approved by Blue Green Expeditions before a reservation for this expedition will be confirmed. Once a diver submits a booking request for this expedition the request will be reviewed by Blue Green Expedition staff. If approved an email will be sent informing that a deposit payment is now due with a link to the payment site. The deposit must be paid within 30 calendar days or the reservation will be subject to cancellation. The approval email will contain a button which permits future incremental payments. RequirementsYour dive certification cardsProof of dive insuranceIf diving you must be a certified drysuit diverA drysuit is requiredCold water exposure protectionCold water diving experienceYou must have a minimum of 50 drysuit dives, 20 in cold water.All your own diving gear. Tanks and weights will be provided.The diving configuration requires 2 DIN first stages, each with a cold-water second stage.A spirit of adventureRestrictionsAerial and submersible drones are not approved for this expeditionRebreathers are not approved for this expeditionNitrox and argon are not available for this expeditionNot IncludedAirfareFuel surchargesAlcohol and on board any beverage other than coffee and teaTransfer from the airport in Ushuaia to the host hotelGratuitiesDive and travel insurance are requiredTrip insurance is highly recommendedLogisticsARRIVAL LOCAL DATE (yyyy-mm-dd): 2024-02-20REQUIRED LOCAL ARRIVAL TIME: 4 PM (No combined arrival, customs clearance, and baggage retrieval time later than this)ARRIVAL AIRPORT: USH - Ushuaia, ArgentinaDEPARTURE LOCAL DATE (yyyy-mm-dd): 2024-03-04DEPARTURE LOCAL TIME: 12PM (No flight check-in time earlier than this)DEPARTURE AIRPORT: USH - Ushuaia, ArgentinaSPECIFIC FLIGHT REQUIREMENT / GROUP FLIGHTS / GROUP TRANSPORT: TBDHOST HOTEL: TBDMEET-UP LOCATION: Host hotel at 630pm on 2024-02-20VISA REQUIREMENTS (www.travisa.com): None needed for USA citizensSURCHARGES / FEES / EXTRA PACKAGE: TBDRESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWThe History On the 7th of December 1872, an expedition to collect data on all the world’s oceans put to sea aboard the H.M.S. Challenger. The expedition was organized by the Royal Society of London, and they planned to use the ship’s early steam engine for more precise maneuvering to collect scientific samples. A repurposed warship, her heavy guns were replaced with scientific labs, workrooms and storage space for equipment and multiple years’ worth dredges was also necessary, together with space for the anticipated sample collection. A crew of 200 and 20 naval officers supported six scientists from varying disciplines – naturalists, chemists, physicists and even an artist to chronicle the voyage and its discoveries. Between her departure in December 1872 and her return to Spithead on 24 May 1876, H.M.S. Challenger traversed 68,890 nautical miles, in the course of which she sampled in the North and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and travelled north of the limits of drift ice in the North Atlantic polar seas and south of the Antarctic Circle. Wyville Thomson, leader of the expedition, insisted on consistency in sampling and attempted to make the sample at consistent intervals and always to measure the same parameters: DepthBottom composition sampleBottom Water sampleBottom fauna sample using a dredge or trawlSurface fauna sample using tow netsWater samples at varying depthsWater temperature at varying depthsMeasurement of local atmospheric meteorological conditions in addition to the direction and speed of surface currents The analysis of the data took years and resulted in the publication of “The Report of the Scientific Results of the Exploring Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger.” It spanned 50 massive volumes. At its completion, The Report discussed with full detail of text and illustrations the currents, temperatures, depths and constituents of the oceans, the topography of the sea bottom, the geology and biology of its covering, and the animal life of the abyssal waters. The Challenger expedition laid the foundation of scientific oceanography and begun its introduction to the wider scientific community. A specially minted medal, the original Challenger Medal, was awarded to the scientists involved with collecting and publishing the data. While they never explored Antarctica itself, their research is the foundation upon which much of today’s climate science is based on. In 2024, we will honor their achievements by continuing their efforts to expand our understanding for and appreciation of the world’s oceans. RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOWThe Scientists and Image Makers: This expedition will bring a combined effort with the citizens and the invited experts. These experts specialize in the areas of polar science and polar diving, underwater photography and videography, STEM education, and film making. to join and work with our citizen guests. These experts will share their expertise with the group providing specialized advance materials, on board presentations, and sharing of imagery taken during the expedition. SEE THE FULL LIST HERECristian Dimitrius is a cinematographer, photographer and television presenter specializing in wildlife and natural history. On land or underwater, from ants to whales, Cristian’s innovative cinematography and unorthodox camera techniques are helping to revolutionize the way people see and perceive wildlife. In addition to several film credits, Cristian has shot and produce for the world’s top television networks including the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Globo TV, History Channel and Animal Planet. Cristian Demetrius’s long-life mission is to inspire people to fall in love with our planet through his images, arousing the desire for knowledge and conservation of the place we all can call home. Becky Kagan Schott Becky is a five-time Emmy-Award winning underwater cameraman, photographer, and technical diving Instructor whose work can be seen on major networks including, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and The Travel Channel. She specializes in bringing imagery from challenging aquatic environments, such as filming in caves, under ice, and deep shipwrecks. Becky has over 23 years of diving experience, is a Women Divers Hall of Fame member, and has enjoyed traveling and diving from the Arctic to Antarctica. Nancy McGee is an explorer and filmmaker Nancy McGee has lived a life of adventure and diversity. The Explorers Club recognized her with a Fellowship for her explorations, which include filming in locations so remote that local natives have never seen Western people. Explorers Club Fellowship is the highest tier of explorers and reserved for those who have distinguished themselves by directly contributing to scientific knowledge in the field of geographical exploration or allied sciences. Please note that Divers Alert Network (DAN) or equivalent evacuation insurance is mandatory on all trips. Additionally, comprehensive Cancellation, Accident, Medical and Baggage insurance such as Dive Assure, Generali Global Assistance or Travel Guard is highly recommended. RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

Antarctica Citizen Science Expedition - January 9-22, 2026

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