While there are countless dive sites in the Antarctic, many of which are still waiting to be discovered, there are some known sites which offer an exceptional look at the continent’s beautiful underwater world, along with an opportunity to view some of the truly intriguing wildlife which calls the coldest place on earth home. Here are just seven of the very best.
Paradise Bay
Here, you can choose to dive around huge icebergs or visit the rock wall which sits near the now abandoned Argentinian research base, which is now inhabited by sea birds and seals. Massive worms, families of limpets, some with babies tucked in close to their parents, huge sea stars in every color of the rainbow, and all sorts of intriguing amphipods populate the rocks, and small fish are sometimes encountered as well. While the rocky landscape above the surface is shaded grey and white, the rocks below the waterline are covered in brilliant pink, cream, and yellow algae. Huge stands of emerald kelp and ruby colored sea weed add even more impossibly unbelievable color to the site.
The icebergs in the bay are beautiful, presenting a challenge, particularly when conditions are not flat calm. Like ice in a drink, they move as the water moves, sometimes bouncing against the bottom, sending chunks of ice flying straight up toward the surface. In shades of blue and green, they are magnificent to see, particularly when the sun is shining.
Danco Island
Famous for massive swaths of silvery krill, which attract hundreds of penguins that zoom past at lightning fast speeds, Danco Island is also home to enormous sea worms, some of which have been documented at lengths greater than eight feet. Huge sea stars in shades of yellow, red, and purple look like big blossoms beneath the water, and clusters of colorful anemones and sea cucumbers add even more excitement to the background. Topside, you can experience a climb to the summit, about 400 feet above sea level, joined by Gentoo penguins and their chicks. Other birds include sheathbills, shags, and skuas, all of which are threatened by the global warming which is so evidently displayed by the melting pack ice.
Verdansky Station
Home to a group of Ukrainian researchers, Verdansky Station is the site where the massive hole in the ozone layer was first discovered. Penguins populate the shoreline and buzz past divers as they hunt for small fish, and below the surface, a rainbow of sponges, amphipods, sea stars, anemones and sea worms, along with a variety of intriguing nudibranchs can be found. A beautiful forest of kelp contrasts with the blue of the water, providing photographers with the opportunity to take some truly spectacular shots. Back at the station, shots of a different type are available – the scientific team here is famous for home distilled vodka; a fantastic warm-up after a chilly, yet unforgettable dive.
Detaille Island
Here, the icebergs are the star of the show. Even when surface conditions are calm, care must be taken to avoid sudden rocketing chunks of ice the size of your head, which can cause injury or damage your equipment. As the icebergs melt, releasing fresh water into the salt water you are diving in, miniature haloclines can be seen where the salinity changes. Be careful, as a very active iceberg can sometimes turn over or move suddenly, creating a dangerous whirlpool or a series of eddies. Once finished inspecting icebergs, be sure to take a look at the marine life; besides fish and plenty of massive sea stars and luxurious looking sea anemones, there are penguins and seals in attendance. Listen for the songs of passing humpback whales; if you are fortunate, you may see them feeding in open water, often coming up to get a closer look at visiting boats.
Palmer Station
The smallest of three permanent Antarctic US research stations, Palmer Station is funded by the National Science Foundation, and focuses on researching terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric science. Only 12 ships per year are allowed to visit, but smaller boats can send zodiacs over for tours of the facilities, where scientists provide presentations. Bring your passport to get a special Antarctic stamp, and bring some money with you if you want to shop in the station’s store. When conditions are right, you can dive beneath the pack ice, where sea butterflies can often be seen in graceful undersea flight, translucent bodies pulsing with energy as they feed on algae. Penguins can be seen zipping through the water like black and white torpedoes; their main predators, leopard seals, are often encountered here as well.
If you hear a loud, thundering boom, don’t be alarmed; the glacier behind Palmer Station calves on a regular basis, sometimes putting on quite a show as chunks of snow and ice, sometimes the size of small houses, fall into the sea. Unfortunately, it is receding at an alarming rate of about 30 meters annually, due to global warming. You can see the glacier, plus a collection of photographs that illustrate its demise, at the station.
Bahia Wreck
Located near Palmer Station, the wreck of the Argentine Polar Transporter Bahia Paraiso sits in shallow water; at low tide, one can stand on the ship’s hull. The ship, which sank after striking a shallow reef in 1989, is now covered in limpets, sponges, tunicates, kelp, and lovely red seaweed. While no one was injured or killed when the incident occurred, the resulting oil and fuel spill killed thousands of birds and other animals and is known as the worst maritime disaster ever to happen in the Southern Hemisphere. While much of the 600,000 cubic decimeters of jet fuel and diesel oil being transported by the ship was removed during a 1992 operation, there is still a small amount leaking from the wreck; be careful to avoid ingesting any of it.
You’ll see fish from the nearby reef, plus plenty of mollusks and nudibranchs, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and other fantastic creatures as you explore. Maximum depth at high tide is 70 feet.
Peterman Island
Curious leopard seals live here, and while they have massive teeth, and prey on the island’s penguin population, they are simply fascinating to see, whether encountered above or below the surface. The island’s rocks and plunging walls shelter a rainbow of tunicates and sea stars, orange sea cucumbers and free swimming mollusks, sea snails, and even nudibranchs. As surrounding waters are deep, pay close attention to your depth and remember not to exceed a depth of 20 meters, as the combination of DCS and cold can be lethal.
The best time to dive in Antarctica is during the summer, between November and March; while visibility is exceptional, in the hundreds of feet, at the beginning of the season, it can dwindle to between 40-80 feet when the plankton blooms at the height of summer. Despite the cold temperatures, with water between 28 and 34 degrees, and surface temperatures in the 20’s to 30’s, you will need to wear sunscreen as there is no ozone layer to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. Be sure to book your excursion well in advance, and check with your dive operator to find out what kind of equipment you will need to bring. Most of all, enjoy this rare and incredible opportunity; sadly, it is one which future divers may not have the pleasure of experiencing.