Wild Antarctica Aboard the Sylvia Earle, Featuring the Weddell Sea

In my previous post about my adventures in Antarctica, I had just begun my adventure and survived crossing the Drake Passage. Continue on with me on my journey as I finally set foot on the White Continent, with Zodiac excursions, penguin encounters, unforgettable hikes, and so much more. 

Source: Celia from Polartours

March 28: Lindblad Cove: First Zodiac Outings & Snorkeling

Every heart on board raced as we opened our curtains this morning, revealing the awe-inspiring expanse of the Antarctic continent. The moment had finally arrived—we set off in our Zodiacs and raced among brilliant blue icebergs at Lindblad Cove. The scene was electrifying as we encountered curious fur seals basking on the floating ice, a playful contrast to the still, frozen backdrop.

Then came our first snorkel session. For our tight-knit group of eight, it was a heart-pounding dive into water at -1.8°C. In just seconds, the shock of the cold turned my face numb, and I found myself suspended in a crystalline world where ice chunks drifted by. It was raw, exhilarating, and unforgettable—a full immersion in the polar realm that left me buzzing with adrenaline, even if I usually hate feeling cold.

Source: Celia from Polartours

March 29: Brown Bluff & Devil Island: Penguins, Hikes, & Frozen Sea Ice 

Brown Bluff rises—a monumental testament to Earth's fiery past. This ancient tuya, sculpted by volcanic eruptions beneath glacial ice, stands as a fortress of reddish-brown cliffs, their rugged faces telling tales of time and transformation.​

Source:  Celia from Polartours

Today marked our first steps on the Antarctic continent. The rocky beach was alive with thousands of Adélie penguins, waddling confidently without fear. Among them, a few Gentoo penguins mingled, all seemingly on a mission: preparing to migrate north before the long-frozen winter approached.

Source:  Celia from Polartours

In the afternoon, we hiked up Devil Island, one of my favorite spots of the trip. The view from the top was staggering — a 360° panorama of glaciers and sea ice stretching to the horizon.

Source:  Celia from Polartours

On our Zodiac ride back, the magic continued. A fresh sheet of sea ice had formed, and as our boat sliced through it, the cracks behind us fanned out into perfect, geometric trails.

Source:  Celia from Polartours

It was like gliding through shattered glass—a reminder of the raw, ever-changing beauty of Antarctica. I couldn’t believe how sturdy those Zodiacs are.

Source:  Celia from Polartours

March 30: Weddell Sea: An Iceberg & Spotted Orcas

The Weddell Sea was sealed off by dense pack ice, but our expedition team had a wild idea: we found a stable iceberg ... and landed on it. Walking on a floating chunk of ancient ice felt like stepping onto another planet.

With navigation underway, we spent time on Deck 8 doing bird and cloud surveys, sipping hot chocolate, and scanning the horizon — and that’s when we saw them. A pod of orcas gliding through the icy waters. Later, the captain invited us for a behind-the-scenes bridge tour, rounding off an already unforgettable day.

Source:  Celia from Polartours