The Vernadsky base – and the most southern bar
The Vernadsky Base, on the Antarctic Peninsula, is the most active scientific base I had the honor of visiting during my trip to Antarctica. It’s unlike any other base I’ve seen there!
Discover South Pole – Travel to Antarctica
2016 Antarctica Expedition
In 2016, Koen went to Antarctica, on a small sailboat. During a month, the crew sailed around the Southwest part of the peninsula. One of the tangible results is Koen’s photobook about Antarctica. The book shows a summary of the thousands of nice shots.
The trip focused on the areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. When it comes to wildlife spotting, this is the best possible region in Antarctica to do so. A sailboat reaches these lands in a few days from Terra De Fuego. Once arrived near the vast landmass of Antarctica, daily landings allow the crew to come eye to eye with penguins, meet seals on the beach, and discover the unexpectedly rich history of the south pole area.
Travel to Antarctica by Sailboat
Antarctica is an extraordinary destination that rivals almost anywhere else in the entire world. While a few people have no desire to visit this amazing area, those who take the time to see it are thrilled with the gorgeous views of the remote wilderness. In addition to the views, visitors will see numerous animals that are native to Antarctica, while learning about the history of those who explored the area before them.
Why go to Antarctica by Sailboat?
There are a couple of different ways to reach Antarctica, but one of the best ways is via a sailboat from Ushuaia, Argentina. It allows a passenger/crew to fully enjoy the vastness of the trip with utter respect for the planet. Unlike a big cruise ship, where the visits to the land are mostly waiting. Aerolineas Argentinas offers regular flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
Crossing to Antarctica
The sailboat will take you through the Beagle Channel, which is approximately one hundred and fifty miles long. As soon as you reach the Drake Passage, the scenery and weather will begin to change. The water can be a little rough on occasion, but you won’t notice it too much, as you look out to see the whales and dolphins out in the distance. You may even capture a glimpse of a penguin or two, as well as albatrosses and petrels.
It does take time to cross the Drake Passage, so do not think that you will instantly find yourself over in Antarctica immediately! Over the next couple of days, you will notice that the temperatures continue to get colder and colder. Little chunks of ice will be floating out on the sea, and over time those chunks will get larger until you finally spot your first iceberg.
Coming close to icebergs might sound crazy, but the crew knows what they are doing. Radar and the lookout make sure all bodies of ice are discovered in time, and the course is adjusted.
Reaching the Antarctica Peninsula
You will be mesmerized as soon as the sailboat reaches land in Antarctica, and you will be more than ready to put your feet on steady ground.
Science – bases
After meeting the first colony of penguins, your next stops include the scientific bases in Antarctica. There are many different stations, but Vernadsky will be one of your favorites.
The Palmer Station was named after the first person believed to have seen Antarctica, Nathaniel B. Palmer. More people are at this station during the summer than the winter months, as most research happens when the weather is warmer.
When you sail to Antarctica, your time will fly by. And before you know it, you will be boarding the sailboat to make your return journey home. As you sail along, your thoughts will be much different, and you will see everything in new ways. The views will look familiar, as they are the same as they were for your journey down, but you will respect them even more after spending so much time in what you now will consider paradise.
Next Expedition
We are working on our next trip to Antarctica. The main activities we plan for our small crew include hands-on sailing, wildlife photography, and for those who can and want, scuba diving in the Antarctic waters. An eco-friendly expedition for ten lovers of adventure.
More details will come soon. The expedition will have up to 10 places per trip. Lovers of extreme beauty can come with us and sail from the Southern tip of Argentina to the Antarctic oceans. We come back via Cape Horn. The trip takes between 25 and 28 days.
Photographers shoot the images as they dream them. Sailors log extra miles. Amateur cooks can explore the kitchen-in-motion. And on this expedition, we add scuba diving to the list of possibilities. Talk about exclusive underwater photography!
Here are articles about Antarctica that appeared on Boarding Today:
The travel to Antarctica begins!
Before I made it onto Antarctica, there were 6 days underway in a small sailboat.
De Gerlache
Being a Belgian on the Antarctic waters can not go without thinking about Adrien De Gerlache at certain moments. I choose to take his book “15 months on Antarctica” with me on this trip. Refreshing my French and at the same time reading about one of the first people who came where we are now, […]
My first steps on Antarctica
It took us six long days on our small sailboat, but finally I could set foot on land in Antarctica.
You can follow me (mostly) disconnected from Technology for a month
My expedition to Antarctica will be a month of reduced contact with the outside world. I’m trying to disconnect and go a month without technology flows.
Antarctica crowdfunding, first extra reached!
When I started my Kickstarter campaign two weeks ago, I had a minimum goal of $3500, and wasn’t at all sure I’d make that. It turned out that I underestimated you all…
The multiplied power of a dollar
By now you probably already know that I’m running a crowd funding campaign for my Antarctica Expedition of early next year. But did you know that donating just one dollar can be worth several more in the campaign?
Many hands make light work! Crowdfunding for Antarctica Expedition
My Antarctica expedition is getting closer now, so I’m calling on al who care to assist in realizing the dream.
100 days till antarctica
Travel to Antarctica The small sailboat will leave in Ushuaia on February 1. Our experienced skipper will take the small crew of 8, including myself, via the Beagle channel, into the Drake Passage on our way to below 65 degrees south, into Antarctica! Pretty proud that our impact on the environment is pretty low, as [...]
Antarctic Expedition Countdown
Anticipation is part of the fun of a travel project. I’m happy to announce one of my next travel plans. An Antarctic Expedition!