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Welcome to Polar Diving
In June 1997, a group of 24 scuba divers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the United States joined us for a special expedition: Ice Diving in the Arctic waters of Spitsbergen. This successful exploration voyage was followed by an additional Arctic voyage in June 1998 and a new challenge in November of the same year: the very first commercial Antarctic diving expedition to the Falklands and the Antarctic.
Our thorough knowledge of the Polar areas enabled us to develop voyages which combine nature cruises with diving expeditions.
The procedure of the dive operation, the descriptions of the dive sites and the decisions about the period of time and itinerary is based upon many years of dive experience by Oceanwide Expeditions and professionals who have worked in the polar areas for research and filming.
Dive Expedition
The years of experience have taught us that there is no such thing as a guarantee about weather, wildlife or ice conditions. There is no such thing as a ‘better dive site’, or ‘better period of time’. Every voyage is different than the previous one. And every year the ice and weather conditions are unpredictable.
These diving voyages are true expeditions. Although we know the destinations in detail, each dive will be a surprising event. Please note, that ice is not static but always in movement. This means, that the actual situation (colours, marine wildlife) under the surface, always depends on the conditions and formations of the ice. Not achieved personal expectations in reference to the diving cannot be grounds for claims, reimbursements or whatsoever. However, our experienced dive master will do his utmost to offer the best Arctic and Antarctic dive sites.
Marine Life - Arctic
In the Atlantic waters we will offer the regular zodiac diving as well as wreck diving. The dives in the Polar areas vary from shallow ice diving, whereby we dive near or under the ice-floes (approx. 30 feet) to shore diving, whereby we dive to approximately 30 to 60 feet. The combination of sunlight, sea water and the often extraordinary formations of ice, causes an overwhelming, ever-changing spectre of colours, with a fantastic variety of shades and brilliance.
While snorkelling or diving along the ice-floes, you will be amazed and never forget these deep blue colours. In the Atlantic water we may observe typical marine life such as sea squirts, squat lobsters, many species of star fish, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms, and dogfish.
Diving in the Arctic does not only offer ice, but also an interesting marine life, such as kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Arctic fish, shrubby horse-tails, jelly-fishes, sea-hedgehogs and starfishes. In Spitsbergen we may dive with seals.
During our Antarctic dive expedition you may observe penguins from under the surface as well as sea-lions and perhaps even leopard seals. The Falkland islands are rich with krill (which is consumed by many species) and therefore interesting for finding marine wildlife.
The dive sites will vary from shallow ice diving, diving along a wall, from a beach or from the zodiac. The maximum depth is around 20 meters / 60 feet.
The combination of sunlight and the often extraordinary formations of ice, causes an overwhelming, everchanging spectre of colours, with a fantastic
variety of shades and brilliance.
Voyage Code AMR30 |
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Voyage Code GMK30 |
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Voyage Code AMR31 |
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Voyage Code AMR32 |
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