The undersea team took advantage of the incredible early-season visibility to explore the underwater world of Antarctica. At this time of the year, primary productivity has not begun in earnest, which means clear, cold water. Using the ship’s Remotely Operated Vehicle, we explored down to 250 feet in search of weird marine life that rarely gets seen. Of note were massive sea stars, Labidiaster annulatus, and ancient sponge communities. We also took to our dive gear and saw the animals firsthand with some highlights being thousands of krill feeding on the melting sea ice and a graceful pteropod, Cliones antarcticus, swimming through the clear water in search of its next meal.
1/27/2025
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National Geographic Endurance
Cape Bird and Devil Island, Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Like all good days of exploration, our morning started well before breakfast with a sighting of B2 killer whales, followed by a change of plans due to ice conditions at our desired landing. Quickly pivoting, the staff team scouted a new-to-Lindblad hiking location at Cape Bird, the southernmost point of the Tabarin Peninsula. Excited for an official continental landing, we meandered over black and red volcanic debris to reach the edge of a glacier and examined small marine creatures stranded on the beach by the last high tide. Snow flurries and wind picked up mid-day and reduced visibility, only making our Zodiac cruises around Devil Island more magical. Grounded pieces of sea and glacial ice created a sculpture garden to explore. Smells and sounds of the Adelie colony carried far from shore, and we delighted in watching penguins leap onto and dive off the icebergs. Multiple members of the National Geographic Endurance crew and staff previously worked at research stations on Antarctica, so this evening they shared stories and photos, deepening our appreciation of life on the continent.
