Blog

425 blogposts shown

The Small but Social Commerson’s Dolphin

Despite the fact that Commerson's dolphins are among the least-known Antarctic cetaceans, these small but social dolphins go by several different names.

Antarctica’s Hourglass Dolphin

Hourglass dolphins are very rare, and yet they are not included in the threatened or endangered species list. Why? First, their habitat is the cold and remote subantarctic and Antarctic waters. Secondly, they are not hunted commercially, and thirdly, they are timid and usually avoid human contact.

The First Buildings in Antarctica: Borchgrevink’s Historic Huts

Borchgrevink’s huts at Cape Adare are notable not only for their important role in the discovery of Antarctica, but also because they were the first buildings erected on that continent.

Everything you need to know about Antarctic icebergs

When one imagines icebergs, the first image that usually comes to mind is that of an immense spiky iceberg, majestically floating in the freezing waters. But in reality, any chunk of ice larger than 16 feet across and at least 98 feet thick can be called an iceberg

The first race to the South Pole in 50 years

James Clark Ross’s British Royal Navy expedition of 1839-1843 launched the most successful expedition to Antarctica by pioneering an entry into the region of sea that now bears his name, opening the door to the inhospitable continent for future expeditions to come.

The Norse Settlement of Greenland

Erik the red is a very colourful and important figure in the history of the Norse Vikings. The source for his story is found in the Icelandic Sagas Huaksbók (14th Century) and Skalhóltsbók (15th Century). Also Flateyjarbók (13th Century), which contains the Saga of the Greenlanders, is an important source that helps to understand the settlement of Greenland and the discovery of Vinland – North America.

Protecting the heritage of Discovery Hut, Hut Point Antarctica

One building that became a testament to scientific endeavour is Discovery hut at Hut Point, on Ross Island. Discovery hut was Robert Falcon Scott’s first expedition base in Antarctica – established by the National Antarctic Discovery Expedition 1901-1904.

Weddell seals: The data collectors scientists of Antarctica

Weddell seals inhabit some of the coldest and darkest waters deep within the Ross Sea ice, making them the southernmost naturally occurring mammals on Earth.

The Dirty Details of Antarctica's Dry Valleys

Located on the western coast of McMurdo Sound, the McMurdo Dry Valleys form the largest ice-free (relatively) area in Antarctica.

10 Tips for Top Northern Lights Photography

Though the northern lights are a heavenly wonder best experienced first-hand, they also represent some of the most amazing photographic opportunities in the Arctic. Here are a few tips to help you get the best images out of the auroras.

Orcas (aka Killer Whales) of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are found in every ocean but are most abundant in the Southern Ocean. Their population is estimated to be between 25,000 - 27,000, making them the third most abundant cetacean in Antarctica.

Solargraphy & Pinhole photography in the Arctic

The breakfast room fills up with SeesNL participants. Everyone is excited and ready to leave, however we have to wait until the afternoon to get going.

What the ice reveals about Antarctica

Antarctica is not just an ice-covered continent with penguins, whales and seals. Under the thick ice are hidden freshwater lakes that contain thousands of microbes that hint towards a diverse array of life.

Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea - Antarctica

The Adélie penguin population in the Ross Sea is reported to be the highest in 30 years with up to a million Adélie penguin pairs breeding in the Ross Sea region over summer.

A Look Into the International Research Stations of Antarctica

There are currently 70 permanent research stations scattered across the continent of Antarctica, which represent 29 countries from every continent on Earth. Together, these countries, or ‘signatories’ of the Antarctic Treaty, must ensure the preservation and wellbeing of the natural land, and to cooperate with their fellow explorers.

Second to the South Pole: Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition (1910-1913)

When Captain Robert Falcon Scott embarked on his second and final expedition to Antarctica in 1910, he was already a famous Antarctic explorer.

9 Facts about the Greenland Shark

The Greenland shark, or Somniosus microcephalus, is one of many fish that live in the waters around Greenland, though this is not the only area in which the shark dwells. These sharks, which are sometimes referred to as “gray sharks” or “gurry sharks,” can also be found in the north Atlantic Ocean near Iceland, Norway, and Canada.

The bio-richness of the Ross Sea

The Ross Sea is one of the most beautiful and pristine marine regions in the world. The sea – which is frozen solid for much of the year – covers 3.6 million square kilometres (1.4 million square miles) along the Antarctic coast south of New Zealand.

Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip

On the third day of our Svalbard cruise, we were sailing the sea ice north of Spitsbergen. It was an incredible day, calm and scenic. We marveled at the unbelievable vastness of the icy realm expanding in all directions. Never before had we seen anything like this.

12 photo tips to make better pictures on your Antarctica cruise

In this article you get 12 photo tips from Oceanwide Expeditions to make better pictures on your trip.

Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen

A mother and two cubs move closer to the ship. The ice a bit thin and rotten around her with many holes and leads visible, yet, she seems to know her way, expertly leading the cubs—when to climb an ice ridge, when to jump, when to swim, and when to wait in stillness. All of a sudden she freezes and peers in one direction. She spots a ringed seal on the ice...

The Small Mammals of the Arctic and Antarctica

There may not be any naturally occurring land mammals living in Antarctica right now, but this does not mean that the icy area was always like this. In fact, a research team from America discovered the continent’s first land mammal fossil back in 1982.