Drake Passage, 2/16/2022, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Antarctica
After leaving Elephant Island yesterday, we sailed all night and day in the Drake Passage. As we traveled back to South America, we spent time reflecting on our amazing days in Antarctica. We thought back on the incredible scenery, whales galore, comical penguins and so much more.
The Drake was not quite the lake we had sailing south. We still spent time looking for seabirds, but most of us pondered our incredible journey.
Mike learned early on that the best way to escape Ohio was to become a marine biologist. During college at Wittenberg University he attended a semester at Duke University's Marine Lab — that time only confirmed his love for all things oceanic and ma...
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At 7am, National Geographic Resolution’s horn sounded as we crossed the Antarctic Circle. After steaming south overnight we awoke to see Adelaide Island and spent the next few hours probing south, seeking an ice-free route to the Gullet, the narrow passage that leads into Marguerite Bay. In between marvelling at the scenery, guests learned about the future of polar governance from naturalist Kevin Rattue. After carving through the broken sea ice in Hanusse Bay, spotting crabeater seals and minke whales, we found that the narrow route to the east of the Gullet, the Gunnel Channel, was clear and navigable. Carefully negotiating down the passage, we emerged into the open waters to the south and nestled for lunch in the spectacular Laubeuf Fjord. While Zodiacs zipped off to explore the nearby shores and islets, we also deployed our fleet of kayaks so that guests could enjoy the still ice floes at sea level and under their own steam. Crabeater seals lounged on last year’s sea ice, a leopard scowled as we passed, and magnificent ice sculptures lingered in the bay. Once back aboard we prepared the ship for the polar plunge and 76 brave guests finished the day by leaping into the icy waters of the Antarctic Circle.
Our day started with mirror-calm waters and still air as we transited through the steep-walled Lemaire Channel. Guests zoomed around the ship before breakfast, taking photos of the reflections and passing icebergs. Our morning stop was at the history-laden Petermann Island where guests watched nesting Antarctic shags, gentoo penguin chicks, and learned about the numerous stories from days gone by. While everyone was ashore, the undersea team went for a dive on one of the vertical underwater walls of Petermann Island. We encountered several species of sea slugs and sea spiders while exploring the steep wall. In the afternoon, the ship weaved its way through massive icebergs to the Berthelot Islands where we spent a marvelous afternoon cruising by Zodiac. Many guests got to see whales up close, and some immersed themselves in Antarctica on a “Contemplative Zodiac Cruise”. Guests spent time drawing and painting among the abstract ice forms and beautiful Antarctic light.
This morning, National Geographic Resolution woke to a blanket of fresh snow, setting a serene tone for our day. We arrived at Cierva Cove where we launched our Zodiacs for a thrilling exploration among the floating ice. The cove’s tranquil waters offered a perfect setting for close encounters with seals who basked lazily on the ice floes, undisturbed by our presence. In the afternoon, we navigated through the stunning Graham Passage. Our thanks go out to the exceptional bridge team for their skillful navigation. As we continued, we made our way into the Gerlache Strait where we were fortunate enough to spot several whales feeding on krill. These graceful giants were lunge feeding, taking massive bites of water to get as many krill as possible. The grand finale came after dinner when we had a small pod of killer whales surround our ship. These apex hunters of the sea are always a treasure to find. The day was filled with unforgettable moments of discovery, and it was a privilege to witness such wildlife in their natural habitat. It was another incredible expedition day on National Geographic Resolution , one that will stay with us as we continue our journey through Antarctica’s awe-inspiring landscapes.
