Cruises to the Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea has a big impact on the local climate. The area typically has strong surface winds, and this carries strong winds into the mountains and lower latitudes. These winds also have an impact on the South Atlantic Ocean because they tend to push ice into this area. The Antarctic Bottom Water of the Weddell Sea usually ranges from -0,8 to 0 degrees Celsius (31.8 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit), but surface temperatures are generally below freezing.

The western Weddell Sea (the Antarctic Peninsula) is experiencing warming conditions and decreasing sea ice while in the eastern Weddell Sea, sea ice has been increasing over the past few decades contributing significantly to an overall increase in Southern Ocean sea ice extent.  

Although we may not be able to reach the emperor penguin rookery of Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea (less than 50% chance) we have good chances to observe individual emperors on the edge if the pack-ice.

The Weddell Sea is located between the land boundaries of the Antarctic Peninsula to the west and Coats Land to the east. When you travel to the Weddell Sea region, your cruise will take you through territorial areas that have been claimed by Britain, Argentina and Chile. Most of the Weddell Sea is covered in dense sea ice all year around and only the northwestern part can be visited by ships.

The Weddell Sea takes up an area that is approximately 2.8 million square km (1.1 ×106 square miles). The widest part of the Weddell Sea is 2,000 km (1,200 miles). 

James Weddell is believed to be the first person to discover and explore what would eventually become known as the Weddell Sea. Weddell and his crew reached the area in 1823, after mistaking some icebergs for land.