Atlantic Odyssey: Ushuaia to Ascension Island

Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Days 2-3 Drake Passage

During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. When crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area you may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, you may spot your first icebergs.

Day 4 Deception Island

At Deception Island, you will try to land at Baily Head home to a colony of ten thousands Chinstrap Penguins (please note this landing is not always guaranteed and is only possible in good weather conditions). Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while your ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellow into the ring of Deception Island. Deception itself is a sub-ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here you will find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, many Dominican Gulls, Brown Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

Day 5 Antarctica

If the sea ice conditions allow your expedition team will try to reach Hope Bay or Brown Bluff at the Northern tip of the Antarctic Continent. In this area chances are good for encounters with Adelie Penguins, Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Orcas.

Day 6 Paulet Island

If ice conditions allow, sail to Paulet Island where you will observe the last individuals of a large Adelie Penguin colony near the ruins of the Nordenskjold Expedition from the beginning of the 20th century. Depending on the sea ice sail east or west of the Danger Islands to the north.

Day 7 At Sea

Sail towards the South Orkney Islands. Your exact navigational course will be determined by the prevailing ice conditions, in terms of both extent of sea ice and density of icebergs, which vary from year to year.

Day 8 South Orkney Islands

Your team is planning on a visit to Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will show you their facilities and you can enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers.

Day 9 At Sea

On your way to South Georgia, witness a multitude of Albatrosses, Petrels and Fulmars.

Days 10-12 South Georgia

In South Georgia you will begin your visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour. In Cooper Bay observe Chinstrap Penguins and Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. On Salisbury Plain, see a huge King Penguin colony, elephant seals and fur seals. On Prion Island in the Bay of Isles see breeding Wandering Albatrosses. At the end of your time in South Georgia visit the abandoned whaling settlement in Grytviken, where now the penguins walk through the streets, and King Edwards Point where the grave of Shackleton lies.

Days 13-17 At Sea

In the Westerlies enjoy a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.

Day 18 Gough Island

Today plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. Previous expeditions have managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, along with spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife spottings. You should feel very privileged to be among the few visitors who have been able to experience Gough and in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in such favorable conditions.

Days 19-21 Tristan da Cunha

In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago your captain plans to call on the settlement at the west side of the main island. Landings at Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island will also be attempted, with millions of seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies. One day in reserve is allowed for bad weather, as due to the weather conditions landings are not always possible. 30% of previous sailings have been unable to make landings in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago due to adverse weather.

Days 22-25 At Sea

Enter sub-tropical waters with their own species of seabirds and dolphins.

Days 26-28 St Helena

St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. Visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own and for snorkeling; stroll by the shallow surf and spot a variety of fish.

Days 29-30 At Sea

Enjoy a last few days at sea while drawing near Ascension Island. Your expedition team will offer ample opportunities to recap your adventures.

Days 31-32 Ascension Island

Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. You may try to climb the moist summit of Ascension Island and make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain Bird Island, offering great opportunities for snorkeling. You may be fortunate to witness egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore at night.

Some passengers may disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF (Royal Air Force) flight to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, UK. Others may proceed with the voyage to the Cape Verdes. In the evening the vessel will depart from Ascension Island.