Are you joining an expedition cruise into the mighty Weddell Sea in the near future? Or, has this evocative part of the Antarctic long been on your list of dream destinations? This expedition guide details everything you need to know about the Weddell Sea!
The Weddell Sea: the Stage for Antarctic Exploration
Covering an area of around 2.8 million square kilometers and bordered by the Antarctic Peninsula and Coats Land, the Weddell Sea forms a large oceanic bay and is one of the most enigmatic and remote bodies of water on Earth. It is named for James Weddell, a British captain who, aboard the sealer Jane, reached a latitude of 74°15′S in 1823, setting a new record and becoming the first to captain a vessel into what is now termed the Weddell Sea.
Its southern edge is dominated by sea ice, with much of the lower Weddell Sea remaining frozen year-round. In the extreme south, the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, a massive permanent ice field, extends out from the Antarctic Mainland, the second largest on Earth.
To enter the Weddell Sea is to enter a maze of leads through the ice, to navigate flotillas of enormous icebergs calving away from the ice shelves at the edges of the ocean, and surrender entirely to the unpredictability that the sheer power of nature brings to any expedition in the world's extremes. When compared to the Ross Sea, which lies on the other side of Antarctica, the Weddell Sea has achieved a rugged, unpredictable reputation. Indeed, polar expeditions into the Weddell Sea are far fewer and have encountered far greater perils than those undertaken in the Ross Sea.
Most famously, between 1914 and 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton, along with a crew of 28, overcame extraordinary odds after their ship Endurance was crushed by the ice, stranding them in the depths of the Weddell Sea, and beginning one of the most remarkable tales of human survival in history.
Despite its unpredictability, the Weddell Sea is a place of extreme beauty, offering starkness and majesty in equal amounts. Some of the most iconic wildlife on Earth can be found here, and for lovers of icebergs, the huge tabular icebergs, which frequently calve away into the Southern Ocean, offer tantalizing photographic opportunities found nowhere else on Earth. It remains a world for explorers. Its remoteness, unpredictable ice conditions, and breathtaking isolation mean that only a select few operators venture into its icy realm during the expedition cruise season.
Discover the Weddell Sea with Oceanwide Expeditions
Taking part in an expedition cruise into the Weddell Sea is to push the boundaries of what is possible at the edges of the map. For those seeking a polar voyage beyond the ordinary, we offer select expedition cruise itineraries that navigate into the Weddell Sea, delivering experiences most travelers to Antarctica never encounter. With a fleet of ice-strengthened vessels, decades of experience navigating Antarctic waters, and a history of breaking records and setting standards, no one else in the industry is as capable of operating in the Weddell Sea as we are.
Weddell Sea - In Search of Emperor Penguin Voyages
One of our most iconic and guest-favorite voyages is our Weddell Sea - In Search of Emperor Penguins itinerary. This unique trip gives travelers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit an emperor penguin colony. On Snow Hill Island, the only accessible rookery in Antarctica, over 4,000 breeding pairs gather to raise chicks.
Utilizing the helicopter-carrying capabilities of m/v Ortelius, guests are flown over the pack ice to a landing zone near the colony, followed by a short hike to a safe observation area. Few wildlife experiences on Earth rival standing in silent awe as emperor penguins waddle past with chicks in tow, entirely at home in their icy kingdom. This itinerary is offered several times each Antarctic season.
Weddell Sea Basecamp Adventures
Our Weddell Sea Basecamp voyages offer a multi-activity experience designed for the adventurous spirit. These expeditions are built around the concept of a flexible "basecamp" from which travelers can explore the world of Antarctica - in this case, the Weddell Sea - in a number of ways. Activities range from snowshoeing and mountaineering to polar camping, kayaking, photography workshops, and even snorkeling.
This immersive approach allows you to engage deeply with the environment and wildlife of the Weddell Sea, combining the thrill of exploration with educational enrichment, with all activities included at no extra cost.
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer
For the truly intrepid, our Remote Weddell Sea Explorer itinerary ventures farther than any Antarctic cruise in the Weddell Sea. Navigating into the lesser-traveled southeastern Weddell Sea, an area dominated by ice shelves and deep pack ice, this route captures the very essence of polar exploration over 27 immersive nights.
Retracing portions of Shackleton’s path, this itinerary channels the same spirit of discovery and resilience. With no set landing sites and a route dictated by ice and weather, each voyage becomes a unique journey of exploration. Trips such as these, with the authentic approach and pioneering spirit that we imbue in all of our expedition cruises, are one of the few remaining ways modern travelers can truly experience the vast, unpredictable wildness of Antarctica at its most raw.
Wildlife Wonders of the Weddell Sea
The Weddell Sea isn't just icebergs and raw beauty. Despite the extreme conditions found here, it is a region rich in Antarctic wildlife, offering superb opportunities for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Marine mammals and seabirds are the most common here, yet below the surface of the sea, unseen by almost all who enter, the depths of the Weddell Sea are home to a variety of sponges, fish species, and even the elusive and mysterious colossal squid.
Penguins
Emperor Penguins
The stars of our Snow Hill Island trips, these majestic birds are the largest of all penguin species and uniquely adapted to life on sea ice. You may spot emperor penguins throughout the Weddell Sea; however, their northernmost colony on Snow Hill Island is the premium destination for penguin enthusiasts and offers an opportunity found nowhere else on the planet.
Adélie Penguins
Common along the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, Adélies are energetic, social, and often seen diving from ice floes or nesting on rocky outcrops. They are numerous in the Weddell Sea, and are the most dominant penguin species found in the region.
Seals
Weddell Seals
A namesake of the sea itself, Weddell seals are frequently spotted resting on the pack ice. They inhabit much of the Antarctic coastline and are one of the most commonly spotted seal species in the Weddell Sea, being frequently seen around fast ice.
Crabeater Seals
Despite their name, these seals don’t eat crabs but instead feed almost exclusively on krill using specialized teeth. Crabeater seals are commonly spotted around pack ice.
Leopard Seals
One of the top predators in the Antarctic ecosystem, these sleek hunters prey on penguins and other seals. You'll likely encounter leopard seals patrolling the ice edge, using their strong neck to power through the icy water.
Whales
The thick ice cover of the Weddell Sea makes it an environment less frequented by some whale species, particularly in its southern extremes. However, you may encounter whales as you enter the icy waters, particularly around the Antarctic Peninsula.
Humpback Whales
One of the most iconic whale species on Earth, humpbacks are known for their surface behaviours, tail flukes, and haunting whale song.
Minke Whales
Shy and fast-moving, you may spot minke whales darting between ice floes. The Antarctic minke whale is the most numerous baleen whale in the world, and one of the few whale species to have avoided significant exploitation from the historic whaling industry.
Orcas (Killer Whales)
Highly intelligent and social, orcas are the predators of the Southern Seas. They actively hunt seals in coordinated pods. The orcas found in the Weddell Sea are most frequently Type B orcas.
Sea Birds
Snow Petrel
This pretty Antarctic resident has been spotted as far south as the Geographic South Pole, making it one of the hardiest bird species on Earth. Snow petrels breed inland in Antarctica and may be spotted on the fringes of the Weddell Sea.
Antarctic Petrel
Perhaps the most common bird species found in the Weddell Sea, the Antarctic petrel is often seen roosting on icebergs. Breeding sites can be large, noisy, and a spectacle for the eyes, ears, and nose.
Southern Fulmar
Another common Antarctic sighting, the southern fulmar is a large seabird that breeds in Antarctica before migrating north with the coming of the polar winter.
Start Your Weddell Sea Adventure Today!
The Weddell Sea is not just a destination. It's a voyage into one of the last true wildernesses on Earth. Whether you dream of standing before a colony of emperor penguins, kayaking past colossal icebergs, or bringing the tale of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition alive, we offer front-row seats to one of Antarctica's greatest stages - the mighty Weddell Sea.
Browse our upcoming Weddell Sea voyages and start planning your Antarctic adventure today.
Some Weddell Sea Facts
- The Weddell Sea often records the lowest sea temperatures in the world, with some areas dipping below -2°C (28.4°F).
- The Weddell Sea has some of the clearest water on Earth.
- One of the only accessible emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica lies near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea.
- Shackleton’s Endurance was trapped here in 1915, marking one of the most legendary polar survival stories.
- The Weddell Sea produces some of the largest tabular icebergs on the planet, including the famed A23a.
- Due to dense sea ice and remoteness, only a few expeditions reach the Weddell Sea each year.
- The Weddell Sea contains the Weddell Gyre, which is essential for water mixing between the deep and shallow waters of the Southern Ocean, and a significant part of the global climate system through ocean circulation.
