SCUBA diving . . . conjures up all sorts of lovely images. Divers with just a tank and a bathing suit, frolicking amongst huge corals, brightly colored fish, in crystal blue waters.
Then you have diving in Antarctica. Many people are familiar with cold water diving; indeed the chilly waters of the Great Lakes hold some great wreck dives. But no matter how cold you normally dive, Antarctica is a completely different world. Imagine for a moment if you will, gearing up: placing two totally separate regulators on a steel tank, just in case one regulator freezes; laying out on average 45 pounds of extra weight to help control your buoyancy in a dry suit; and making sure you have a mask, hood and fins. This first step takes about 20 minutes. Then comes actually putting on your equipment. First is a layer of long underwear, then a pair of thick socks, then a snowsuit type of outfit goes over this. Finally, you are able to put on your dry suit, stepping into a completely water-impermeable shell, with tight neck and wrist seals. Then you don your weights, tank, hood, fins, gloves, and finally your mask. This second process takes about 30 minutes. All this to fall into 28 degree Fahrenheit or -2 degree Celsius; the coldest water can get without freezing.
Many would and have asked why? Our Undersea Specialist and dive buddies on the MS Endeavour do this almost everyday on the expeditions to Antarctica, and I must say speaking from experience it is an absolute thrill. Diving is not a common practice in Antarctica, and the majority is done for research purposes. The dives that are being done here are finding new and interesting facts and creatures resident only to Antarctica. The MS Endeavour's Undersea Specialist brings back photos of the life that lives below the surface, allowing our guests to see, the amazing creatures of Antarctica, from the warm and comfort of the lounge. The pre-historic looking rock cod, which can grow over 24 inches, and likes to lie in between the rocks, barely moving even with a camera suddenly turned to it. The sea spider (pictured here) is another interesting creature, although not directly related to the land spider.
Diving in Antarctica is a truly magical experience, and Lindblad Expeditions is there with their Undersea Specialist, exploring a brand new frontier.
