When we stood on deck today and peered out the windows, it was hard to believe that we are in the middle of the Drake Passage, usually one of the most notorious stretches of sea on earth. With just 2-3 m of well and light easterly winds, the surface of the ocean has been quite calm, making for a very pleasant crossing so far. Although it is quiet for birds and mammals, we have been busy on board, decontaminating our boots and hiking gear, as well as enjoying a cocktail party hosted by the Captain. Tomorrow we hope to have our first glimpse of Antarctica: the South Shetland Islands.
2/23/2025
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National Geographic Endurance
Antarctic Sound
Excitement was high as we arrived in Antarctica today, marking the start of our expedition to the White Continent and beyond. Over lunch, massive tabular icebergs — once part of an ice shelf — began to appear all around us, sending guests rushing to the windows for photos. In the afternoon, we launched our fleet of Zodiacs for the first operation of the trip — a cruise along the brash ice. Despite the sharp wind chill, we had incredible first encounters with humpback whales and seals. Meanwhile, the undersea team, a unique program at National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, suited up for a scuba dive, capturing footage of krill swarms below the surface. Just when we thought the day couldn’t get better, an emperor penguin made a surprise appearance — a lucky sight this time of year. What a spectacular start to our Antarctic adventure!
