Wilhelmina Bay Dive Site — Antarctica
About Wilhelmina Bay
Wilhelmina Bay has earned the nickname 'Whale-mina Bay' from expedition crews for the extraordinary concentration of humpback whales that gather here to feast on dense krill swarms from January to March. Diving in the bay while whales feed overhead is one of Antarctic diving's ultimate experiences — their haunting, complex songs reverberate through the water column, felt as much in the chest as heard in the ears. The whales' bubble-net feeding creates curtains of rising bubbles visible from depth. Below the whale activity, the bay bottom supports rich communities of sea cucumbers, brittle stars, and Antarctic scallops. Leopard seals patrol the perimeter, and Weddell seals haul out on ice floes. This is the closest most divers will ever come to the world's largest animals in their natural element.
Site Information
- Depth: 5–20 m
- Difficulty: advanced
- Site type: Other
- Current: Mild
- Best time: January-March
- Region: Antarctica
Highlights
- Humpback Whales
- Whale Songs
- Krill Swarms