Deeper Insights into Antarctica With Aqua-Firma’s New Wildlife & Marine Life Expedition

March 31, 2011 - PRLog -- In March 2012, Wilderness and Wildlife travel experts Aqua-Firma will be embarking upon a new Wildlife & Marine Life Voyage which journeys deeper into Antarctica by crossing the Southern Polar Circle, and conducts diving into these rarely seen icy waters. For those who dive, this will open up a whole new world of rich marine life. For those who don’t dive (especially in such extreme conditions!) you can also ‘see’ what lies beneath the ice through photographs and video footage the dive team will bring to the surface each day.

Amongst a team of polar expert guides due to be onboard will be Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist Charlotte Caffrey, and former British Antarctic Survey diving supervisor, Kelvin Murray. In addition to evening talks about penguins, whales, polar history and climate change, these leaders will use daily images and video to provide an insight into life beneath the ice and sea surface. This will include footage of penguins diving to feed; 3 metre long Leopard Seals hunting and catching them; and illustrate Antarctica’s unique underwater life which includes 34 legged starfish, Giant isopods that crawl along the seabed like enormous woodlice and shy Antarctic bloodless fish, devoid of haemoglobin and filled with their own special anti-freeze.  

This action packed voyage will also provide opportunities for the more adventurous to experience sea kayaking in the White Continent, and spend a night out camping on the ice.

The icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands provide rich feeding grounds for orcas, humpbacks, blue and sperm whales as well as such other marine life as macaroni, chinstrap and gentoo penguin colonies.  A combination of zodiac cruising and onshore trekking allows for deep exploration of this stunning location and close observation of its diverse wildlife.

This exploratory voyage will journey through some of Antarctica’s most dramatic landscapes, consisting of impressive 3000 metre mountain peaks and breathtaking glaciers.  With its mile long icebergs and deep fjords, Antarctica is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on earth and presents countless photographic opportunities.  

For further information about Aqua-Firma’s wildlife, marine life, diving and adventure programmes from the Polar Regions to the Equator, please visit www.aqua-firma.com

Notes to Editors

1. Dates and Prices

Cabin Type (all en-suite)
Mar 9th - 20th 2012
(12 days)
Quad cabin
£4540
Twin cabin with port hole
£5390
Twin cabin with window
£5650
Twin deluxe
£5960
Superior
£6550
Diving supplement
£275
Kayaking
£225
Field Camping
£65

2. Aqua-Firma specialises in expert led tailor made and small group exploration of wilderness and wildlife where land meets water.  Their modes of exploration include inspiring combinations of:

a. Scuba diving & snorkelling
b. Polar sailing and small ship voyages
c. Wildlife & marine life safaris
d. Expert led photography holidays
e. Canoe and lodge safaris
f. Rafting expeditions
g. Yacht charters
h. Conservation in action experiences
i. Family adventures

3. Aqua-Firma is the only travel company to offset the carbon emissions of its clients' polar voyages, and flights booked through the company in joining its polar journeys. Aqua-Firma does this via a Rainforest4Climate programme set up in partnership with Rainforest Concern.

4. Aqua-Firma is a specialist at tailor made travel within Argentina and other parts of Latin America. The company is also fully ATOL bonded (bond no. 6947) and able to arrange flights and accommodation before and after a voyage.

For further press information and photography please contact Ralph Pannell at Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email ralph@aqua-firma.co.uk

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About Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd: Aqua-Firma is a travel company driven by a long developed passion for exploring and conserving the best of our planet's wilderness and wildlife - in particular where land and water meet. The areas surrounding the great oceans, rivers, lakes and icecaps can provide some of the most dramatic encounters with wildlife and the natural world.

Our experiences have been created with the input of marine and environmental scientists, professional sailors and divers, conservationists and leading naturalist guides; people who have a passion to communicate the environments they know best. The result is the opportunity to experience wilderness locations in ways which are invigorating, enlightening and responsible.