HIKING FIELD GUIDE
On the Edge of the World: 22 Days Aboard Plancius — Drysuit Diving, Hiking and Polar Photography
A February 16–March 9, 2026, 22-day expedition aboard the ice‑strengthened Plancius visiting the Falklands, Shag Rocks, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula — a practical guide for advanced divers, hikers and photographers.
On the Edge of the World: 22 Days Aboard Plancius — Drysuit Diving, Hiking and Polar Photography.
For 22 days you’ll travel from Ushuaia across the roaring Southern Ocean to islands and coasts few people ever see: wind-etched beaches and seabird colonies in the Falklands, the lonely, wave-battered Shag Rocks, the king‑penguin carpets and whaling history of South Georgia, and the glacial cliffs and penguin rookeries of the Antarctic Peninsula. The voyage, aboard the ice‑strengthened passenger vessel Plancius and hosted by Oceanwide Expeditions, combines expert-led diving opportunities with hiking, zodiac shore excursions, whale watching and sustained wildlife and landscape photography.
Highlights
Expedition Highlights
Falkland Islands: Open Spaces and Seabird Life
The Falkland archipelago offers wide beaches, rugged cliffs and large seabird colonies — Magellanic, rockhopper and king penguins among them — plus opportunities for seabird viewing, seal encounters and an introduction to the region’s human history in Stanley.
Shag Rocks: Remote, Bird‑Strewn and Potentially Record‑Setting
A remote cluster of wave-lashed islets rising from the Southern Ocean, Shag Rocks is home to imperial shags, albatrosses and other seabirds — and for the scuba team this expedition includes an attempt to dive a place with no prior scuba record, contingent on conditions and diver approvals.
South Georgia: King Penguins, Seals and Shackleton’s Trail
South Georgia’s shores host vast king‑penguin colonies, fur and elephant seals and dramatic glacial scenery; visits include wildlife viewing, hiking and a look at Grytviken’s whaling heritage and Shackleton history.
What the day feels like
What the 22‑Day Expedition Feels Like
Expect a sustained polar program of sea passages and shore operations: embark in Ushuaia and cross open ocean days to reach the archipelagos, then spend focused days ashore and in zodiacs for hiking, birding, photography and wildlife encounters, with optional scuba diving, kayaking and camping when conditions allow. The rhythm is long ocean transits punctuated by intense, often short windows ashore or in the water — all conducted from an ice‑strengthened passenger vessel with an experienced captain and expedition crew.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The advertised departure is February 16, 2026 with return to Ushuaia on March 9, 2026 — a 22‑night voyage aboard Plancius. Boarding in Ushuaia occurs the afternoon of February 16; arriving in Ushuaia two days before embarkation is recommended.
The trip provides rubber boots, tanks and weights (for diving) and shipboard meals; participants must supply personal clothing and their own dive gear beyond tanks/weights. Travel insurance and dive insurance are mandatory for divers.
Board Plancius at the designated Ushuaia embarkation point at 3pm on February 16; once the ship departs it will not return for missed passengers. Flights, airport transfers, hotels and departure taxes are not included.
Scuba diving is an optional paid add‑on with limited spaces and strict prerequisites (minimum drysuit experience); camping and kayaking are also optional, carry additional fees and are limited in capacity — availability depends on conditions and early reservation.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the expedition?
The voyage is 22 days aboard Plancius, departing February 16 and returning March 9, 2026.
Where and when do we board the ship?
Boarding takes place in Ushuaia, Argentina; embarkation is scheduled for 3pm on February 16 and guests are recommended to arrive two days earlier. The ship will not return to port for missed passengers.
Is scuba diving included and what are the requirements?
Diving is an optional add‑on for a fee; tanks and weights are included but all other dive gear must be provided by the diver. Diving spaces are extremely limited and divers must have completed at least 30 drysuit dives; dives are weather‑ and supervisor‑dependent and cannot be guaranteed.
What optional activities are available?
Optional activities include scuba diving, camping and kayaking; each carries an additional fee and has limited capacity — camping and kayaking gear are provided but space must be reserved early.
What is covered in the price and what isn’t?
The trip price includes 22 nights onboard Plancius, all shipboard meals, shore and zodiac excursions, hiking, glacier travel, rubber boots, guiding fees and (if diving) tanks and weights. Not included are flights, transfers, hotels, departure taxes, alcoholic drinks, personal expenses, shore meals, land tours, travel insurance, dive equipment beyond tanks/weights and dive insurance.
Are there limits on camping and kayaking?
Yes — both camping and kayaking have very limited space; equipment for camping is provided and kayaking requires reasonable physical condition. Reserve early if you plan to participate.