PLA26-25, trip log, Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage

It’s finally here! The day we start our epic journey south. In the late afternoon we make our way to the port to board our good ship, Plancius. We have travelled far to Ushuaia at the bottom of the world for this amazing opportunity. As we make our way up the gangway our expedition team and crew are waiting to welcome us.

The day was cloudy and warm and the winds gentle and the sea calm. We checked in with hotel team and were shown to our cabins, our new homes for the next 11 days. Our luggage was already waiting for us. It's all so exciting! We explored the ship while everyone else arrived. Once all aboard it was time for us to attend some important mandatory briefings. This included an abandon ship drill where we dressed in our emergency gear and attended our lifeboat. Once we had completed this it was time to return to the lounge to relax with a glass of bubbly whilst Captain Artur introduced himself and toasted the voyage.

Afterwards our hotel manager introduced the ship to us followed by our Expedition Leader Adam who then introduced the expedition team. Everyone on board made us feel welcome. We spent some time socializing with our new friends in the bar whilst we waited.

After all the introductions it was time for the last activity of the day which was dinner. We headed down to the restaurant for the first time and enjoyed a wonderful meal with views of the Beagle Channel outside. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

The first night of sleep was quite an experience—waves crashing, new beds, and a sense of adventure. We quickly got accustomed to it. We were woken up by Adam, and after a delicious breakfast, the morning was dedicated to mandatory briefings we needed to attend before setting foot on Antarctica. Adam made the sessions engaging and easy to follow, and it was fascinating to learn why these rules are so crucial. For example, the avian flu has had a significant impact on wildlife in the Southern Ocean.

Adam also explained how the Zodiac boats operate—essential for taking us from the ship to this pristine environment. We couldn't help but feel excited about the upcoming experience.

Lunch, once again prepared by the hotel team, was fantastic. The afternoon was filled with lectures. Marco gave us an excellent introduction to Antarctica, setting the stage for the adventure ahead, while Steffi shared insights into the lifestyle of seabirds that populate the area, reminding us that penguins, too, are seabirds.

Though some of us weren't feeling our best, we understood that it's all part of the journey. This place is incredibly remote, and we knew we had a lot to learn. We ended the day content, and after a tasty dinner, most of us headed to bed early—whether from travel fatigue, seasickness medication, or simply resting up for the exciting days ahead in Antarctica.

Overnight the seas had calmed down and most of us had a very comfortable night's sleep. Adam woke us at 07:45 with news that we had made good progress overnight and were now well on our way to our destination.

Whilst the seas were calmer, so was the weather, there was very little wind and some light fog making visibility difficult.

After breakfast we didn’t have long to wait before the muckboots were handed out by the expedition team. We were called to the boot room deck by deck and given our trusty boots for the days ahead.

Shortly after, we were then invited to the lounge for a biosecurity check. All our outer clothing, boots and bags were checked for any soil or seeds, in fact anything that could cause any harm to the environment that we were soon to be exploring.

Meanwhile, there were a few birds flying around the ship, White chinned Petrel, Black browed Albatross and Giant Petrels.

It was then time for another delicious lunch from the galley team. Many of us commented that we were surprised how good the food was! Just after lunch two fin whales were spotted close to the starboard side of the ship. A wonderful sight to see these magnificent animals close up.

At 3pm Martin gave us a very interesting presentation, Photography tips for the week ahead, as two Antarctic Prions flew repeatedly around the ship. By this time the fog had lifted and visibility was improving rapidly. More birds like Cape Petrels, White chinned Petrels and Black bellied Storm Petrels flew close to Plancius giving some of us good views.

At 5pm Tiphanie gave a fascinating lecture on whales. This was followed shortly by recap when Adam gave us the exciting plans for the next day. Our first day in Antarctica!

After another wonderful meal we were free to go, some retired to the bar/lounge but most of us went back to our rooms to get some rest before our busy day tomorrow, our first sighting of Antarctica!

The day began with an exciting surprise before the wake-up call. The expedition team called all of us when we were still in our beds to get to the outside decks because a beautiful pod of orca were moving through the Gerlache strait. The sighting was incredible – seeing these apex predators in the wild was an unforgettable start of our visit to antarctica and it happened already on our first day at the continent.

After breakfast, we headed out for our first landing of the day at Orne Islands. The weather was cloudy, but the sea was calm, making the zodiac ride smooth. Once we reached the island, we stepped onto the rocky shore and were immediately surrounded by a large colony of gentoo and chinstrap penguins. They were everywhere! Some waddling across the rocks, diving into the icy waters and others sitting on the nests giving warmth to newly hatched chicks. We spent time watching them interact, their comical movements never failed to entertain. The landscape was dramatic, with towering mountains and glaciers in the background, making for a great setting to explore.

After lunch, we made our way to Dorian Bay for the afternoon landing. On the way we sailed through Neumayer Channel and the weather was just spectacular. Clouds dispersed and we could feel the warmth of the sun on our faces. The bay was quieter and more remote, with stunning views of glaciers and snow-covered peaks. We spotted another group of gentoo penguins here, along with seals resting on the ice. The landing was a bit more challenging with some icy patches, but our guides helped us navigate the terrain.

We took time to explore the area and soak in the surrounding views. The glacier at the head of the bay was impressive, and we could hear the occasional rumble as parts of it calved into the water. The wildlife was beautiful, but overall atmosphere was peaceful and untouched. After a few hours on land. We boarded the Zodiac and returned to the ship as it was time for our daily recap and with a day full of activities we couldn’t wait to eat dinner which was served at 7pm by our lovely chef Khabir and his galley team, marking the end of another remarkable day at the continent.

Kayaking

9 January AM

Orne Islands

Our team of kayakers began their first day of Antarctic adventure at the Orne Islands, a small group of rocky islets, at the north end of Rongé Island, in the Gerlache Strait at the northwest end of the Antarctic Peninsula. We launched in light winds and calm seas on the east side of the islands and circumnavigated the main island before exploring a group of grounded icebergs along the glaciated coastline of Rongé Island.

Our first encounter with the Antarctic environment brought observations of Orne Islands’ Gentoo Penguin colonies, and an appreciation of the fascinating ice formations calved from tidewater glaciers.

9 January PM

Damoy Point / Dorian Bay

Our first afternoon continued at Dorian Bay, in light winds and sunshine. A short paddle past coastal ice cliffs took us into the shallow waters of the bay, from where we navigated through shallow waters towards Casablanca Island. Scores of Gentoo penguins lined the shore, watching with curiosity as we paddled alongside the low rocky shore.

Our journey culminated in our arrival at Damoy Point, marking the entrance to Port Lockroy where a small sailing boat completed its final approach to this sheltered anchorage. We headed back towards Plancius, our route framed by the magnificent peaks of Anvers Island.

The day started with a good morning wakeup call from our expedition leader, Adam. During breakfast, we had the chance to admire the stunning views of our landing site at Goudier Island. The island hosts a small team from the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), who manages a museum, post office, and shop. Originally established as another BAS station (“Base A”) in 1946 during Operation Tabarin, it is now preserved as a historic site by the UKAHT, with the main building, Bransfield House, serving as the museum and a shop. After breakfast, we attended an engaging presentation by the UKAHT staff managing the site, who shared the fascinating history of Port Lockroy.

Despite the rainy weather, we eagerly made our way ashore to explore. The rain didn’t dampen our spirits as we spent time visiting the impressive museum, browsing the shop, and sending postcards to loved ones back home.

We were back onboard MV Plancius for lunch. After food we were passing the Lemaire Channel which is a narrow strait located off the coast of Antarctica, separating the Kyiv Peninsula on the mainland’s Graham Land from Booth Island. Often referred to as the “Kodak Gap” due to its breathtaking scenery, it stands out as one of the most popular tourist spots in Antarctica. The channel, stretching 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) in length, is framed by towering cliffs and filled with drifting icebergs. At its narrowest point, it measures just 600 meters (2,000 feet) across, creating a dramatic and unforgettable passage.

We anchor at Port Charcot under a grey but peaceful sky. From the ship, we are shuttled ashore to a rocky beach, where the adventure begins. A steep, snowy ramp leads us upwards, offering breathtaking views of the untouched Antarctic wilderness. Along the way, we visit several gentoo penguin colonies, their cheerful calls filling the crisp air as they waddle between nests scattered across the icy terrain.

Our hike takes us to the iconic cross that stands atop Port Charcot, surrounded by sweeping vistas of sparkling glaciers and tranquil waters dotted with floating icebergs. The raw beauty of the Antarctic landscape, with its quiet stillness and dramatic contrasts, leaves a lasting impression.

After a fulfilling visit, we are shuttled back to Plancius, where a delicious dinner, lovingly prepared by our chef Kabir, awaits us—a perfect way to end an incredible day in this remote and awe-inspiring corner of the world.

Kayaking

10 January AM

Port Lockroy

A cold grey morning was enlivened by our kayak exploration of Port Lockroy, completing a tour of the bay perimeter from Goudier Island. Within the bay we observed a resting Leopard Seal on a flat ice floe, and a Weddell Seal hauled out on the low shoreline. The assembled vertebrae of an old whale carcass provided a reminder of a once-flourishing industry that once threatened the future of these remarkable giants of the ocean.

We sheltered beneath impressive ice cliffs at the head of the bay, before paddling downwind through patches of brash ice to Gaudier Island. We landed here to explore the renovated historic buildings of the British Antarctic Survey ‘Base A’, its museum and shop. We tiptoed past scores of nesting Gentoo Penguins that found shelter in the protecting lee of the old research station.

Today’s Antarctic expedition was filled with breathtaking sights and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Adam’s “good morning, good morning, good morning” wake-up call was at 7:15, in time for those wanting a bit more sleep to get ready for another delicious breakfast. At 9am we embarked on the zodiacs for a scenic cruise around Pleneau Island, where the landscape was dominated by massive, sculpted icebergs in varying shades of blue and white. Especially with the overcast sky the blue seemed more vibrant. This place was discovered by the 4th French Antarctic Expeditions of 1903-1905 run by Jean-Baptiste Charcot and named after Paul Pleneau the photographer from this expedition.

While we were cruising through the maze, we found around a corner a crabeater seal sleeping on the ice. He was covered in scars from a past encounter with a predator which might be a leopard seal or an orca. A little bit further north-west we found four more crabeater seal laying around lazy and recovering from their krill hunting. We also enjoyed the thrilling experience of whale watching in Girard bay close to the south entrance of the Lemaire channel. Despite the clouds, we were fortunate to avoid any precipitation, allowing us to fully appreciate the majesty of our surroundings.

In the afternoon, we made our way to Petermann Island, where we went ashore for a hike. The weather had improved, with the overcast skies gave way to periods of beautiful weather, though a light wind persisted. We landed next to an Argentinian refuge hut where a juvenile Elephant seal and nesting gentoo penguins welcomed us. The gentoos were enjoying a bath in the melted snow pool while we passed them to hike towards colonies of Adelie penguins and Antarctic shags. The penguins were particularly active, some waddling around while others were busy tending to their nests, providing plenty of opportunities for us to observe their fascinating behaviours. The Antarctic shags were equally captivating, with their striking plumage standing out against the stark landscape. The combination of stunning wildlife, incredible scenery, and improved weather made for a truly memorable day in one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth.

As evening arrived, we cruised through the stunning Lemaire Channel, a passage lined with towering cliffs and glaciers that seemed to glow in the soft light. On deck 3, we gathered for a special BBQ, sheltered from the wind but still offering magnificent views of the surrounding wilderness. The meal featured hot wine, juicy steaks, and a salad buffet, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. To top off the evening, we danced to the rhythm of the macarena, laughing and celebrating the day’s adventures. The combination of delicious food, lively dancing, and the incredible scenery made for a perfect end to an unforgettable day in Antarctica.

Kayaking

11 January AM

Pleneau Island

After an amazing afternoon cruise through the Lemaire Channel and a stormy afternoon hike at Port Charcot, our third morning began in lighter winds at Pleneau Island. Seeking shelter from the NE breeze, we explored a maze of shallow channels between low glacially smoothed rocks at the south end of the island. Here we discovered a pair of female Elephant Seals that watched us intently as we drifted past their rocky haul-out. We continued towards the north end of Pleneau, past a pair of resting Weddell Seals, and a lively colony of Gentoo Penguins that clustered on steep rocky slabs with their Antarctic Shag neighbours.

The north tip of the island brought impressive views towards Port Charcot across its enormous ‘iceberg graveyard’. We tackled wind and waves for a few hundred metres until we found shelter behind a series of impressively large, grounded icebergs. Following a natural slalom course between these icy obstacles, we completed our satisfying circuit of Pleneau Island. Returning to our Zodiac, we headed home to Plancius at the end of a great kayaking adventure.

11 January PM

Petermann Island

The weather continued to improve, with sunshine and light winds at Petermann Island, our most southerly point on this excellent Discovery & Learning voyage and a home to a colony of Adelie Penguins. We began at the east coast launch point, heading north to a narrow inlet in the cliffs where Charcot’s 1908 expedition overwintered in the Pourquoi Pas. We ventured offshore a little to gain a view of two Crabeater Seals on the lower shelf of an enormous, stranded iceberg that dominated the view north towards the Lemaire Channel.

We reached the north corner of the island, paddling between yet more grounded icebergs as our kayaks rose and fell in the gentle west swell from the vast Southern Ocean to our left. Returning to more sheltered waters, we completed the east coast of Petermann Island to arrive at our most southerly point in the expedition week. We sat quietly for a while, marveling at the distant Antarctic horizon. We finally returned to our Plancius home at the end of another excellent kayaking adventure.

While M/V Plancius graciously sailed into the glassy waters of Paradise Harbour accessing the bay from the west through the Bryde channel; Expedition Leader Adam had to anticipate the wake-up call. A pod of 10-15 orcas had been sighted by the attentive eyes of the bridge team.

Quickly dressed up we rushed to the outer decks to find ourselves surrounded by a stunning scenery of glaciated mountains. Right in front of the bow we recognized the huge and tall fin of the orca male, patrolling the areas in which the rest of the females and their calves were about to transit. In the distance a few humpback whales were feeding, and the atmosphere was so serene. What a great start!!

Breakfast was served while Plancius repositioned deeper into the bay. Soon we were out on the zodiacs for another incredible morning through brash ice, skirting our way near beautiful carved bergy bits and icebergs. Flukes and tidal lines were so clear on the icebergs, and the glimmering light of the day gifted us with intense turquoise tinges on some of the deeper cracks of the glaciers.

Some of us transited in front of Brown station, one of the many research facilities managed by Argentina in the peninsula region. Gentoo penguins welcomed us near the buildings while the flamboyant Argentine flag symbolize that the south American country had claimed this area even before the Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959.

Past the station an impressive cliff with Mesozoic layers and foldings, a home for a noisy colony of Antarctic Shags was located, where parents were already taking care of their chicks. Near them some Cape Petrels nesting in the most remoted crags on the wall. Icy rivers flowing down the mainland peninsula, calving into the waters of Paradise Harbour. Weddell and crabeater seals resting on ice floes, whereas feeding humpback whales were cruising around. Some of us were lucky enough to get a close encounter with these cetaceans which at this moment of the season started to reach the productive waters that surround the peninsula for feeding.

At the end of the zodiac cruise, we were shuttled to shore for our first continental landing of the trip. Punta Vidt is a small and shallow promontory, often a place where Weddell seals haul out. For us it was also the stage of the polar plunge; welcomed with great spirit and with good numbers by most of us who decided to dip their feet and heads into the frigid waters of the seventh continent.

During lunch time M/V Plancius sailed once again through the Gerlache strait on her way to Orne Harbour. A visible landmark, Spigot peak, marked the entrance of this heart-shape embayment that opens towards the southeast of the Arctowsky Peninsula. For all of us it meant a second landing on the mainland, and a fantastic hike up to the saddle which overlooked the incredible scenery. From the top of Orne Harbour the entire central part of the Gerlache strait was visible. The views stretched as far as Anvers island towards the west and Brabant island to the Northeast. A perfect sunny day to remember, especially when a noisy rookery of Chinstrap penguins welcomed us at the top. Their chicks already more than a week old were well taken care of and fed by the hard-working parents which were able to climb to the colony from the opposite side. What a place to be born!!

Eventually the operations were wrapped up and once again we were safely shuttled back to the ship ready to listen for the plans of the next days and the recaps carried out by our fantastic expedition team.

Kayaking

12 January AM

Paradise Bay

The aptly named Paradise Bay was the venue for an amazing morning of kayaking in this beautiful bay surrounded by steep glacial mountains. From the Argentinian research base at Brown Station, we passed under steep rocky cliffs where Antarctic Shags fed hungry chicks in their remarkably constructed nests. On into Skontorp Bay, we entered a world of brash ice and growlers amid larger bergs calved from this chaotic glacier that tumbled into the ocean from steep mountain flanks.

In glassy waters we observed a feeding Humpback Whale that use bubble-net tactics to drive its krill prey to the surface. For many magical minutes, this might cetacean gently lunged and fed, dived and surfaced - all within a few short metres of our kayaks, as glacial ice towers crashed into the bay. Amazed at our good fortune, we finally tore ourselves away to continue our journey.

Our morning ended with a continental landing where we placed our feet on Antarctic ground and, for some, a celebratory polar plunge into the frigid waters of Paradise Harbour. Home to the ship, we marveled at our incredible morning of adventure.

12 January PM

Orne Harbour

Our afternoon brought yet more amazing kayaking experiences at the magnificent Orne Harbour. We launched beneath the towering cliffs of Spigot Peak, under rock ledges dotted with groups of Chinstrap Penguins. We headed deeper into the bay, arcing towards its north side through dense carpets of brash ice. We pushed deeper in, pausing in a safe area to observe the mighty glacial river, to reflect on this incredible environment, and to share some group photographs.

We continued north into a secluded bay, sheltered from the breeze and hidden from Plancius. Here in this isolated corner of the Antarctic Peninsula, we drifted alone for a few minutes, sensing the power of our dramatic and austere surroundings. A final paddle back to the ship completed an excellent day of Antarctic kayaking.

Our final day in Antarctica began on a high note. Adam woke us up to a clear blue sky, light winds, and a breathtaking view of Anvers and Brabant Islands as we made our way toward the Melchior Islands—our destination for the morning's activity. At 9:00, we set out with our expedition team to explore the archipelago. The islands are named after letters of the Greek alphabet, so we visited Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, while also keeping an eye out for Lambda.

The Melchior Station, which was operational from 1947 to 1962 for year-round meteorological studies by the Argentinians, now feels a bit outdated. The station is only open during the summer months, and today, no one was there. Still, we were excited to explore the area in search of wildlife.

The Zodiacs spread out across the archipelago, where we marvelled at the stunning rock formations, glaciated peaks, steep ice walls, and winding channels in between. The landscape was truly captivating. Along the way, we spotted Weddell seals resting on the ice, crabeater seals lounging nearby, and even some fur seals arriving after leaving their breeding grounds on the subantarctic islands—playful little creatures.

We were also lucky enough to see whales, including a mother and calf of humpback whales, swimming gracefully in the bay. The sun was shining, and we all revelled in the spectacular scenery, surrounded by blue and white glaciers.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. After three hours of exploration, we returned to the ship, where the bridge team was already lifting the anchor to head back into the Drake Passage. We couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional, as we anticipated the rough waters ahead. But perhaps our sea legs had improved over the course of the journey.

Before lunch, we took a quick shower in preparation for the upcoming "Drake Shake." The afternoon was relatively quiet, with many of us taking a well-earned rest. Meanwhile, Szymon taught us more about orcas — indeed, we had seen them four times during our trip, which was quite impressive.

In the evening, we gathered for the recap session. We were curious about what the weather would bring as we looked forward to hearing more stories from the staff. After another fantastic dinner, we retired to our cabins, reflecting on the incredible week we’d just experienced. It was hard to believe it was all coming to an end.

What an unforgettable journey!

Kayaking

13 January AM

Melchior Islands

Our final morning in Antarctica arrived among the magical Melchior Islands between Anvers and Brabant Islands. Light winds and sunshine promised excellent kayaking conditions - our expectations were surpassed in this superb paddling environment. From our anchorage lagoon we exited a narrow channel onto the west coast of Kappa Island, where we discovered an intricate series of channels beneath steep rock walls and small grounded icebergs. A pair of Antarctic Fur Seals gazed down at us from their rocky haul-out platform, a magnificent sighting of our fifth seal species on this amazing expedition.

We continued north east towards the was toast of Delta Island where, with amazing good fortune, we found ourselves in the company of a pair of Humpback Whales that dived and surfaced in the waters of the sound. A perfectly timed moment in our final kayaking adventure, we took a final few minutes to embrace the impossible beauty of our Antarctic world before, finally and reluctantly, returning to Plancius to begin our homeward journey.

We started the day, unusually, with a wakeup call from Albert informing us that the restaurant was open for breakfast. Adam had kindly given us a lay in!

Despite the rolling seas and pitching ship the galley team had served up yet another fantastic feast for breakfast.

Outside the weather was overcast and windy, the wind hitting us straight on the bow, for some of us it made for some uncomfortable sailing. We had to wait for later in the afternoon for the sun to shine.

Shortly after breakfast Martin gave us a thought-provoking lecture on the role of photography in conservation, there were some interesting stories about Giant Petrels, Humpback whales and Barnacle geese. All from identification from photographs.

Following that lecture Suzie then gave a lecture on the fascinating life of Krill, these tiny animals that live in their millions in the oceans. Particularly moving was the story of Alan the Krill who ultimately was lost to a drainage system……….

After a morning of lectures, it was already time for lunch, the ship was still moving a little but virtually all of us managed to make it to the dining room for our penultimate lunch on board our beautiful little ship.

The wind was still blowing but a few of us intrepid souls made it out on deck to take in the fresh, clean air that we had spent the last week breathing in.

For those that didn’t venture out a film was played in the lounge with a popcorn accompaniment, the film was the highly educational, Happy Feet. A tale of a happy go lucky Emperor penguin.

Whilst the film was playing the sun started to shine and a group of Antarctic Prions flew around the ship!

There was an extra-long recap today with subjects such as the swim dynamics of penguins to the superstitions of mariners and finishing off with a study into the poop of penguins. Recap finished just in time for dinner and another fantastic meal created by our wonderful galley team.

There ended our first day sailing home in the Drake Passage.

Today there was no wake-up call. We enjoyed a lay in before Hotel Manager Albert called us up for breakfast. The ship is still moving quite a lot but there is promise of calm waters in the afternoon as we get closer to South America.

Our expedition leader Adam kicked off our lectures for the day with his presentation on his experience working for BAS (British Antarctic Survey) as a boating officer and base commander including overwintering in Antarctica. It was so interesting to see how people survive in Antarctica all year around!

After a short break we then gathered in the lounge again for a presentation from Natalia about the Belgica, an amazing expedition to Antarctica in the late 1800’s lead by Adrien De Gerlache including the famous Roald Amundsen. It was fascinating!

Once again, Khabir’s team made us a delicious lunch, after which we had a bit of a break from activities. In the afternoon we all got cozy together in the lounge to watch the animation film Happy Feet, featuring our favourite Antarctic animals, penguins, orca’s and seals! Popcorn made the experience feel even more cinematic.

In the afternoon we were finally started to feel the shelter of Cape Horn. The waves started to die down and we were allowed out on the deck again. The sun began to shine and some of us went out to take some fresh air. Black Browed Albatross glided past as the dim shadows of land started to appear in front of us.

We then attended the third lecture for the day which was given by Szymon on the effects of climate change. We learned a lot about how our world in changing. After a short break it was time for the last presentation of the day. An introduction to Cape Horn by Nick followed by a documentary. After the documentary it was time for our last event of the day before dinner.

The Captain’s farewell, with a glass of bubbles and some kind words from the captain marked the end of our adventure together. Marco presented us with his slideshow of the trip which brought many memories back and we spent the rest of the evening enjoying our remaining time with our newfound friends before we were called for dinner.

We finally arrived in Ushuaia early this morning and it was time to say our goodbyes. We had our final breakfast aboard Plancius then gathered the last of our things and headed for the gangway. We said farewell to the whole team onboard and the new friends we had made. Some of us were off to explore Ushuaia while others were flying straight home, looking back as we left to take a final look at the Plancius, remembering good times and perhaps planning for more in the future.

Total distance sailed on our voyage: 1540 nm

Southernmost position: 65º17.7’S / 064º13.5’W

On behalf of Oceanwide Expeditions, the Captain, Crew and Expedition staff would like to thank you for the pleasant times, it has been a pleasure traveling with you.