Quark Expeditions, the preeminent authority in polar cruising, continues its exceptional track record in Antarctica with the successful landing of 208 adventurers on two voyages. This extraordinary experience offered a select few the rare opportunity to tread upon sea ice and visit the remote Snow Hill Island and its colony of Emperor Penguins.
Executing these ventures in November and December 2023, Quark Expeditions utilized its state-of-the-art expedition ship, Ultramarine, and its expert team. During these Snow Hill voyages, a special onboard ceremony at the edge of Antarctica's Weddell Sea took place, marking the official appointment of Dr. Sian Proctor as Ultramarine's godmother.
Led by the renowned Expedition Leader, Shane Evoy, alongside Captain Jurak Zekan and the complete Expedition Team, Dr. Proctor participated in the maritime tradition, symbolizing the influence of strong women as guardians for a ship's prosperity and secure navigation at sea. As an individual with diverse expertise in fields such as art, space exploration, education, geoscience, and advocacy for inclusivity, Dr. Proctor also assumed the role of a forward-thinking trailblazer and storyteller, poised to guide the ship and its polar ambassadors into the future.
During the recent voyages of Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill, guests aboard Ultramarine approached within 20 nautical miles of Snow Hill Island in the northern expanse of Antarctica's Weddell Sea. Utilizing Ultramarine's Airbus H-145 helicopters, small groups were transported to a staging site at a considerable distance from the Emperor penguin colony. Following all IAATO wildlife protocols, guests walked several kilometers over sea ice to reach the colony, observing the guidelines meticulously.
Guests and experts, including researchers from the Smithsonian Institute, were elated to discover the thriving health of both adult and juvenile Emperor penguins within the colony. While this season's Snow Hill expeditions have concluded, Quark Expeditions encourages enthusiasts to explore the abundance of penguin encounters still available in Antarctica.