Explore Antarctica, the Sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands and South Georgia with One Ocean Expeditions - aboard Marina Svetaeva
Welcome to the home page for One Ocean Expeditions - proudly represented in Australia by Active Travel. Our love affair with Antarctica began over a decade ago and we have travelled to Antarctica many times, as expedition participants and escorting groups of Australian expeditioners. As such, we offer accurate, first hand advice and guidance in all facets of researching, planning and organising a trip to the icy region of Antarctica. We are able to offer you instant confirmation on your preferred cabin choice through our live reservation system. You are in very capable hands. To find out more about the magic of Antarctica, read on!
On the Antarctic Peninsula, no two days are the same and each morning brings new excitement. Our trips operate during the Antarctic summer aboard the celebrated expedition ship, Marina Svetaeva, when penguins chicks are newly born. It is a time of great activity with seabirds swooping through the skies and humpback whales feeding hungrily on vast schools of krill. We take you to a number of penguin rookeries, observing the humorous antics of Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. We also show you spectacular ice formations, which can be truly breathtaking. Above all, you’ll enjoy a journey of discovery, with the added benefit of highly-qualified lecturers and staff.
Our longer expeditions take you further a field, to the South Orkneys, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. These remote island groups are home to some extraordinary wildlife. We divide our time between shore excursions to various places of interest and exploration by inflatable zodiac boats. We’ll encounter some truly majestic marine mammals and seabirds, including the legendary Wandering Albatross and massive King Penguin rookeries.
Active Travel has teamed up with One Ocean Expeditions to offer nine outstanding expeditions in the Summer of 2010/11 aboard the Marina Svetaeva. Established by some of the world’s most experienced Polar expeditioners, One Ocean Expeditions delivers high quality adventure travel on a purpose built ice-rated expedition vessel. Together we set a new standard in Polar adventure cruising with a focus on adventure, education and conservation.
When you call our office, you talk to enthusiastic experts who have travelled widely in the Polar regions and who can offer expert advice and assistance.
Download our Antarctica brochure here - (click link or brochure cover)
Why choose us?
Anyone researching a trip to Antarctica will soon discover a number of similarities between the various operators. Many offer small expedition style ships and itineraries tend to focus on the same areas. So what makes us different? First, we have the most experienced team of leaders in the business including Australian Polar Medal recipient, Ray McMahon, and Andrew Prossin – a veteran of Antarctic and Arctic waters.
Secondly, our ship is one of the most capable expedition vessels to have visited Antarctica - M/V Marina Svetaeva; she’s a modern expedition ship with comfortable on board accommodation and and outstanding track record in Polar exploration and navigation, mainly in the Wild Ross Sea region of Antarctica and Russia's Siberian Coast.
Thirdly, customer service drives everything we do and our expeditions include well-presented lectures, exciting activities, cheerful staff and superb meals prepared by our chefs. Finally, a deep respect for the great southern land guides our attitudes towards environmental protection. We have renowned wildlife conservationists on our team, who have been instrumental in mobilizing some of the world’s most notable organizations to better protect Antarctica. Conservation is in our blood, and we take our impact on the environment seriously.
:: Quality and Experience
Together with One Ocean Expeditions, we bring an incredible range of experiences and skills to the Antarctic wilderness. Over the past 15 years, our team has amassed a broad scope of expertise in the Antarctic ecosystem. We have in-depth knowledge of the full range of Antarctic wildlife and plants, enabling us to offer a truly nature-based approach to tourism in Antarctica. We are arguably the most experienced Antarctic expedition team afloat these days with over 500 expeditions between us. We also believe we are the most attentive to our guest’s needs. We do this by having the highest expedition staff-to-guest ratio in the polar industry. If you are considering other companies, ask this question.
:: A superb expedition ship - M/V Marina Svetaeva
In the Summer of 2010/11, our operations to Antarctica take place onboard the 100-berth Marina Svetaeva. An important point of difference, is that we limit our numbers to just 88 guests per voyage rather than carrying a full complement of 100. This gives us plenty of room to spread out and maximise our staff/guest ratio - the highest in the polar industry. The Marina Svetaeva, designed and built in the world famous Gdynia shipyards on Poland's Baltic Coast, is very stable, quiet and comfortable. Built in 1989, she is one of the best appointed of the Russian-registered expedition vessels carrying passengers to Antarctica.
Refitting and refurbishment over the last five years oriented towards her role as an expedition cruise vessel has improved the comfort and calibre of the facilities aboard the ship. There is little if any ambient noise from engines or machinery and, with most of the public spaces on a separate deck from the majority of the cabins, there is little issue with passenger-generated noise. Vessel stabilization is gained through the vessel’s deep draft and wide hull. Coupled with a modern hull design this gives us a stable platform for very comfortable exploration and cruising. Her ice handling capabilities are higher than most other ships of similar size, which means we can range further than almost any other vessel operating in the Antarctic Peninsula region. We are very excited about visiting the Weddell Sea – a notoriously tricky region to navigate, due to the challenging ice conditions - this coming Summer.
We hope you enjoy our selection of stunning Antarctic journeys and we look forward to welcoming you on board. See below for our exciting options! Or click here to download our complete brochure.
:: Antarctic Peninsula Adventure – 10 night expedition
Departs Ushuaia: 28 November, 8 December, 18 December 2010, then 27 January and 8 March 2011
For many people this voyage is their first introduction to Antarctica. It offers spectacular scenery, outstanding marine mammal and bird life, fascinating background lectures – and plenty of activity. After spending ten nights exploring this wonderful part of the world, we are certain you will leave Antarctica with a completely different perspective to that with which you arrived. We are offering FIVE 10-night expeditions this coming season. (Download brochure - click here).
:: Antarctic Circle Voyage – 12 night expedition
Departs Ushuaia: 15 January 2011
We sail south in quest of the fabled Antarctic Circle. After crossing the circle we proceed inshore to visit some of the seldom visited sites this far south. Working our way north along the peninsula, we navigate the waterways and bays, exploring and looking for wildlife. A voyage this far south encompasses adventure, wildlife and history and our onboard team help unravel the tales of these regions. (Download brochure - click here)
:: Weddell Sea Exploration – 12 night expedition
Departs Ushuaia: 24 February 2010
Snow-capped mountains rising from the ocean, sweeping glaciers and hundreds of tabular icebergs drifting north from the Weddell Sea will greet you on the South Orkney Islands, a small archipelago lying in the middle of the Southern Ocean and well off the track of most shipping routes. (Download brochure - click here)
:: Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninula – 18 night expedition
Departs Ushuaia: 28 December 2010 & 06 February 2011
You may feel, as we do, that if you are going to make the journey to the bottom of the world you should stay a while. On this far-reaching expedition to the islands of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Antarctic mainland, you revel in 19 awe-inspiring days of exploration. (Download brochure - click here)