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Zodiac
tips & insights

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Why a Zodiac is special

This small, inflatable, rubber motorized craft is swift, stable and maneuverable. It's ideal for navigating rocky shallow waters. You get close-up views of places regular boats cannot access.

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The ship's fleet

Most Antarctica cruise ships that make landings have 8 to 12 Zodiacs. Each accommodates 10 passengers plus the skipper.

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Number of trips

You normally make two Zodiac excursions per day, one in the morning, the second in the afternoon. Each lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

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Types of Zodiac trips

Most are landings, others are sightseeing cruises through iceberg-dotted bays and channels.

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Wet landings

There are no docks, so you have to make wet landings. This means you slide off the Zodiac into shallow water (averaging a depth of 30 centimeters or 12 inches) and walk ashore.

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Max 100

That's the number of cruise passengers permitted ashore at any given location at any given time. If a ship has more than 199 passengers, it divides its guests into two groups. Both get two Zodiac outings per day.

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What you see

You observe large rookeries of waddling penguins and their charming chicks, beaches spotted with lazing seals, cliffs sporting a myriad of seabird nests, and spectacular icebergs and landscapes. Read my "Itineraries" web page for more details.

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Antarctica Zodiacs - Page 2

Safety tips

Other helpful pointers

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CLIA

IAAT0

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