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
Most Antarctica cruise ships that make landings have 8 to 12 Zodiacs. Each accommodates 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.

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.

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.

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.

Zodiac safety measures
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 onboard 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.