GENERAL INFORMATION
POLAR DIVING ANTARCTICA & THE ARCTIC

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With the following information we like to give you a brief introduction on our Polar diving operation during our expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica. For more detailed information on the Polar regions and travel information please contact our office or check out our website.

Diving Expeditions

Our knowledge and experiences of the techniques, the gear, the logistics and the polar regions enables us to manage a serious and safe dive operation with a high quality dive product.
The dive operation on board is organized by polar dive guides who have experienced many extreme situations in the field and who are trained to search out the best opportunities for diving, taking into account the unpredictable weather and ice conditions. The main language of the dive operation will be in English.

Experienced divers

These voyages are not for beginners, you’ll have to be an experienced diver and must be familiar with cold water diving and dry suit diving (at least 20 dives). Before departure you will have to show an internationally accepted diving certificate, diver’s log book and a statement from your doctor (not older than two years) stating that you are physically healthy to practice scuba diving.
The voyage will start with a check-dive so all divers can get used to the cold water and adjust their weights and equipment. Before each dive, there will be a briefing about the location of the site, the weather and ice conditions and the procedure of the dive.

Safety first

Diving in these remote Polar areas is no more dangerous than normal scuba diving as long as one important rule is adhered to: Safety First ! All divers looking for dangerous stunts or want to make deep dives are kindly asked to stay at home.
There is no decompression chamber, medical care in these polar regions is almost non-existent and there is hardly any infrastructure. Although we have a doctor on board the vessel for first aid assistance, we cannot
accept risky ventures from any of our divers.
The dives will be done in a 'buddy system' basis. If you don’t have a dive-buddy, one will be assigned to you. The divers are expected to be experienced enough to read their compass, depth gauges and look after each other in order to have a safe dive.
If our dive master feels that the diver does not meet the necessary experience, he can decide to exclude the diver from the dive program (this decision will be made for your own safety). In this case, Costa Rica Dive cannot be held (financially) responsible and does not grant any claims. All divers are required to follow the instructions of the dive master and guides at all times. All participants are diving 100 % at their own risk, which is also the case while on land during the excursions.

Marine life at the dive sites

The dive sites will vary from shallow ice diving, diving along a wall or around a grounded iceberg. We don’t dive through a wide hole in the ice, but in a controlled environment under small grounded icebergs, from the shore or a zodiac or an ice shell.
The maximum depth is 20 meters / 60 feet. The combination of sunlight and the often-extraordinary formations of ice cause an overwhelming, ever-changing spectre of colours, with a fantastic variety of shades and brilliance. While snorkelling or diving along the ice floes, you will be amazed and never forget these deep blue colours. Diving in the Polar areas does not only offer ice, but also an interesting marine life, such as kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various bottom fish, shrubby horse-tails, jelly-fishes, sea-hedgehogs and starfishes. In the Antarctic and Arctic waters there is typical marine life such as sea squirts, squat lobsters, many species of starfish, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms, and dogfish.
In Antarctica you may have the possibility to snorkel or dive with seals and penguins including the fearless Leopard Seal.

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