[3 min read but if you like wildlife, ocean and mountains pictures more like 10!]
- A note to say that I’m immensely grateful for the wilderness of our planet. In pursuit of preserving and respecting the epic wildlife, a 5m distance was maintained.
South Georgia is WOW WOW WOW!!
EYOS, renowned for its expertise in guiding and exploring the most remote regions on Earth, offered me the amazing opportunity to join them for a dive expedition to mesmerizing South Georgia.
Most elephant seal pups are born in October. The brutal breeding battles for elephant seals begin in September, with southern elephant seal mating season being one of the most violent in the animal kingdom.
After 3 days of sailing from the Falklands, I found myself immersed in a vast wilderness where the ocean met snow dusted mountains, penguins played in the waves, seals dotted the beach and whales playfully splashed around the ship.
Visiting this stunning yet wild environment demands not only an appreciation for its beauty but also a deep respect for the ocean, wildlife, and land. Working with EYOS expedition leader and the legendary Catherine Buckland, along with the wonderful Hanse Explorer crew, allowed me to experience the polar wilderness and gain valuable insight into dive expeditions.
The allure of diving in polar regions lies in the thrill of the unknown. Vast underwater expanses in these icy regions remain largely unexplored, turning every dive into a genuine expedition. South Georgia’s weather and conditions can shift suddenly, and in this isolated location medical evacuation can take at least two days due to the absence of an airstrip. Successful dive expeditions here require the ability to navigate and respond to the challenging and unpredictable forces of nature, making exploration a skilled and humbling experience.
Never did I imagine I’d have the opportunity to explore wonderful South Georgia, let alone plunge into its captivating waters. Below the surface I entered a world alive with lush kelp forests, curious seals and colourful sea life. In these polar waters, life thrives on a different scale. The cold water absorbs more oxygen, enabling some species to flourish and grow exceptional large. Fascinatingly, some creatures have evolved to add antifreeze into their bodily fluids to lower their freezing point to ensure they don’t freeze.
As an adventure and ocean enthusiast with a passion for healthcare, joining EYOS for this trip was a dream come true. I loved being part of the dive expedition team. Thank you so much Kelvin Murray and Catherine for making this incredible experience possible.
A little story … A few years ago, while working with Dr Christine as a medical technician conducting HSE medicals at Aquamarine Medicals, I assisted in putting together Catherine’s blog ‘A day in the life of a polar dive supervisor’. I remember thinking how cool it was that I was getting to help create this blog and learn about such an amazing job in such an epic place. Now I’m writing my own blog, about polar dive expedition work with Catherine. CRAZY! An especially big thank you to Catherine and Christine – both of you have been fundamental in my journey, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have two such inspiring women on my side. Thank you.
A huge thank you to Rolex, the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society, Divers Alert Network and my equipment sponsors Fourth Element, Suunto, Halcyon Dive Systems, Reef Photo and Video and Nauticam. Their continued support, along with the dedication of countless volunteers and hosts, has transformed this incredible opportunity into a reality. I’m excited about the adventures that await in the coming year.
