Polar Regions

Diving in the Arctic and Antarctica is indeed fascinating. However, the topside is as exciting and during the trip, with the prior approval of your expedition leader, you can choose to participate at any time in thrilling land excursions and zodiac cruises instead of diving.

The dive sites will vary from shallow ice diving, diving along a wall, from a beach or from the zodiac. In the Atlantic waters there will be the opportunity for wreck diving as well as the regular zodiac diving. Diving in the Polar areas does not only offer ice but also interesting marine-life, such as Sea Squirts, Squat Lobsters, many species of starfish, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms and dogfish, kelp walls, sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Arctic fish, shrubby horse-tails, jellyfish, sea-hedgehogs and starfish. In Spitsbergen you may dive with seals and near the Island Moffen (Spitsbergen) you may see many Walruses approaching the zodiacs. Because of the possible danger you will not dive with the Walruses.

Dive Experience These voyages are not for beginners; you'll have to be a very experienced diver and must be familiar with cold water diving and dry suit diving.

The 'Grigoriy Mikheev' The Finnish built 'Grigoriy Mikheev' is a modern and comfortable research vessel designed as an icestrengthened ship and ideally suited to expedition cruising. Accommodation is provided for 46 travellers in comfortable twin and superior outside cabins. Six twin cabins without bath have upper and lower berths and washbasins. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same Deck. 14 cabins with private facilities have upper and lower berths and three superior cabins with private facilities have a double bed and a sofa-bed.

Arctic Expeditions The Arctic is one of the most remote and fascinating regions of the world, and is an area that has only ever been accessible to the privileged few. There are no trees here, and the average July temperature does not rise above 10C. Our voyages to this area offer exciting possibilities... the chance to sail into spectacular fjords surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers illuminated by 24-hour daylight. Polar Bears, whales and other marine wildlife as well as Puffins, gulls and many seabirds can be seen making the most of the Arctic summer. During the voyage in the northern part, the vessel will be surrounded by ice floes, offering spectacular views. Along the shore you will dive among ice-plates and under the ice floes, and may also snorkel with seals.

itineraries

	Antarctic Peninsula on the Grigoriy Mikheev This 15 or 16-day itinerary offers the possibility of encounters with seals, penguins and whales, such as the Minke, Southern Right, Fin, Sei, Sperm, and Humpback as well as the Orca.	View itinerary
	Arctic Diving A 9-day itinerary offering wonderful photographic opportunities, with the chance to spot Arctic Foxes, Bearded Seals, numerous seabirds and possibly Polar Bears as you cruise scenic fjords and spectac...	View itinerary