Antarctica Cruise
Zodiac Landings

Zodiac
tips & insights

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.

The ship's fleet

The Minerva has 12 Zodiacs, each accommodating 10 passengers plus the skipper.

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.

Types of Zodiac trips

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

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.

Max 100

That's the number of cruise passengers permitted ashore at any given location at any given time. The Minerva carries 199 passengers, so it divides its guests into two groups. Both get two Zodiac outings per day.

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.

Safety

Getting in and out

You are taught how to safely board and get off a Zodiac (it's easy once you know how). The short course is held in the main lounge the day before the first Zodiac trip.

Zodiac staff

It's highly trained in all aspects, including helping you in and out of the Zodiac, both on the ship's gangplank and ashore.

On land

Staff members are posted at strategic spots to guide and (if necessary) lend you a helpful hand. Some are lecturers and are delighted to answer your questions or volunteer a fact that they believe might interest you.

Medical emergency

Either the ship's doctor or nurse goes ashore armed with medical supplies.

A few
more pointers

Outboard motor fumes

Try to avoid the rearmost Zodiac seats, which are next to the motor. The exhaust can be unpleasant to some people.

Toilets

There is none ashore except at some crude outhouse-style facilities at some research stations. Therefore, visit a restroom on the ship before departing.

If you're a photographer

Be on your group's first departing Zodiac so you can take your pictures reasonably free of red penguins (your parka-clad cruisemates). And, if you don't end up on one of the foremost seats, ask if you can switch so you can take non-obscured shots during the ride.

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