News
Diving under the ice
Ice diving is one of the most adventurous types of diving and is a great way to immerse yourself in environments few other people ever get to see. It is challenging, different from most other types of recreational diving, and one to add to your liveaboard diving wish list for 2019.
Why go ice diving?
Ice diving offers the chance to experience dive sites like no other and enjoy marine life encounters you can’t find elsewhere. Surrounded by blue water and ice formations, there is nowhere as peaceful as under the ice.
Where can you go ice diving?
The Arctic and Antarctica are two of the best places to go ice diving. These unique destinations offer exceptional wildlife watching opportunities, varied diving and the chance to visit some of Earth’s last wilderness areas.
Antarctica
You can go ice diving around the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea during Antarctica liveaboard diving cruises, plus explore iconic destinations such as the Falkland Islands and South Shetland Islands. A liveaboard safari to South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands is not to be missed to explore areas that have never been dived before. These wild and remote areas are teeming with wildlife and dive trips include zodiac diving, shore dives, wall dives and ice dives.
The M/V Plancius and Ortelius both offer Antarctica dive safaris and diving is available during November to March.
The Arctic
Ice diving in the Arctic is more accessible than Antarctica for most people and the best dive sites are reached by Arctic liveaboard diving. There are varied dives on offer, including at Norway’s remote Svalbard archipelago, and you can enjoy ice diving, boat dives and even wreck dives. It is also possible to dive Scoresby Sund in Greenland; the world’s largest fjord system. Reaching depths of up to 1450 meters, this fjord is a unique liveaboard diving destination with ice and boat-based diving on offer.
The M/V Plancius offers Arctic liveaboard diving, with Scoresby Sund diving available during certain itineraries.
What can you see when ice diving?
A better question would be what can’t you see when exploring the Arctic and Antarctica. These species-rich destinations offer something for everyone to enjoy.
Antarctica hosts numerous seals, penguins, diverse bird life and around 15 whale species. Dive there and you have the chance to see sea lions, leopard seals and fur seals, plus various fish species and invertebrates. There are sea caves to explore, ice formations, kelp walls and bright blue water to immerse yourself in.
Head north to Spitsbergen and you can see equally diverse marine life, including invertebrates and plentiful fish, sea lions, bearded seals, walruses and various whale species. If you visit Scoresby Sund you might even get to see narwhals and beluga whales.
Can anyone try ice diving?
If you want to try ice diving you’ll need to be a PADI Advanced Open Water diver (or equivalent) and have a minimum of 30 logged dives. You also need to be experienced in cold water and dry suit diving.
How do ice divers stay warm?!
The water temperature in Antarctica is typically 0°C (32 °F), whilst the Arctic water temperature ranges from 5°C (41 °F) to 0°C (32 °F), dropping to -1°C (30.2°F) at Scoresby Sund. However, you shouldn’t be cold when ice diving. By using the right equipment and exposure protection, you can stay warm when diving and afterwards.
What dive gear do you need to go ice diving?
You need to bring your own dive gear, suitable for polar diving, if you want to join an Antarctic or Arctic liveaboard diving cruise. Your gear should include a dry suit, appropriate thermal undersuit, hood, gloves, boots, fins, buoyancy control device, mask, snorkel, dive computer, octopus set-up and weight belt. Other equipment that is recommended includes a compass, dive knife and underwater torch.
Discover liveaboard diving holiday solutions around the world at Liveaboard.com.
Dive Into Paradise for Less – Save Up to $2,000 on Upcoming Adventures!
Aggressor Adventures® is excited to unveil major limited-time savings for divers planning their dream escape to the Philippines. From now until June 30, 2025, guests can take advantage of up to $2,000 in savings on select Philippines Aggressor and Philippines Aggressor II itineraries.
These deep discounts span across both 7-night, 10-night and 11-night trips, giving adventurers greater flexibility and value while exploring some of the most biodiverse waters on the planet.
SAVE $2,000 – PHILIPPINES AGGRESSOR II
Celebrate with a $2,000 savings!
Booking Window: Now through June 30, 2025
Eligible Trip:
- October 4 – 14, 2025
SAVE $1,500 – PHILIPPINES AGGRESSOR
On select charter dates:
Booking Window: Now through June 30, 2025
Eligible Trips:
- June 29 – July 10, 2025 (11-night Transition trip)
- November 8 – 18, 2025 (10-night)
SAVE $1,000 – PHILIPPINES AGGRESSOR
On select 7-night charters:
Booking Window: Now through June 30, 2025
Eligible Trips:
- November 1 – 8, 2025
- December 6 – 13, 2025
“Aggressor’s Philippines itineraries are among the most vibrant and diverse in the world,” says Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures. “These new specials give more travelers the opportunity to explore thriving coral reefs, pelagic encounters, and spectacular macro life at a fraction of the cost.”
Guests will enjoy Aggressor’s signature five-star service, spacious staterooms, world-class diving amenities, chef-prepared meals, and much more. These special offers are only available for a limited time and are expected to fill quickly.
About Aggressor Adventures
Since 1984, Aggressor Adventures® has offered travelers live-aboard scuba and snorkeling charters, luxury river cruises and exotic wildlife and cultural safaris. To learn more, visit Aggressor’s Media Hub, listen to its podcast series, view videos on Aggressor.TV and browse the new catalog. Worldwide locations are Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cocos Island, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Galapagos, Komodo, Indonesia, Maldives, Palau, Philippines, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Red Sea, Roatan, Honduras, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turks & Caicos. Reservations can be made online at aggressor.com, or by calling 800-348-2628 or +1-706-993-2531.
Save up to $1100 on select liveaboard dive trips from June through October 2025
Explorer Ventures Fleet is turning up the heat with its new Hot Summer / Cool Prices sale. For a limited time, divers can save $1000 or more on select liveaboard departures from June through October 2025.
Whether you’re ready to dive into crystal-clear summer waters or planning a cool fall escape, this promotion offers major savings on world-class dive adventures in the Galápagos, Turks & Caicos, and the Caribbean.
Hot Summer / Cool Prices – For the Summer Dive Traveler:
From June through August, take advantage of deep discounts on summer getaways. Enjoy up to $1100 off select trips aboard the Humboldt Explorer in the Galápagos or save $1000 on select summer departures aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer Il and Caribbean Explorer II, exploring magic of Saba and St. Kitts.
Cool Fall / Hot Prices – For Travel in the Fall:
Leave the cool weather and falling leaves behind — fall is the perfect time to head south and save. Take $1000 off select departures from September through October aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II and Caribbean Explorer II.
See all details and departure dates: www.explorerventures.com/discounts-and-specials
Space is limited – and once the trips are full, the savings are gone. Book now to secure your spot!
Looking for other dates or destinations? There are more savings available across the fleet, including liveaboard diving holidays in Indonesia, the Maldives, the Red Sea, and Palau. Explore all current deals here: https://www.explorerventures.com/year-of-savings-dive-liveaboard-specials/
Contact:
1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada) | +1.307.235.0683
About Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet
Since 1987, Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet has been delivering world-class liveaboard diving, blending authentic experiences with a commitment to safety and sustainability. Operating in some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater destinations, their fleet of well-appointed vessels ensures every guest enjoys the highest level of comfort and care.
Explorer Ventures is proud to be the first liveaboard company to collaborate with Green Fins, earning certifications on four vessels: Caribbean Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Tiburon Explorer, and Humboldt Explorer. Notably, Tiburon Explorer and Humboldt Explorer are the only PADI Eco Centers designated in the Galápagos, underscoring their dedication to sustainable and responsible diving practices. With exceptional destinations, a global array of itineraries, and diver-focused design across the fleet, every voyage is crafted for comfort, convenience, and adventure—both above and below the surface.
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