Weddell Sea Region | Why Visit and Why Is It So Special?

By Coty Perry

raking light on a blue white floating tabular iceberg in the weddell sea off the coast of antarctica shutterstock secret atlas

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Weddell Sea Region | Why Visit and Why Is It So Special?

From the thunderous sounds of crumbling glaciers to the sight of whales passing gracefully through the blue waters, the Weddell Sea is Antarctic wilderness at its best.

However, a voyage on these waters within the comfortable confines of the polar vessel can be deceptive. You never know when the unpredictable Antarctic weather starts unleashing its fury. Beyond the treacherous ice conditions, this sea is also associated with ancient myths and legends, where sailors spoke of merman and mermaids living in the deep polar waters.

In truth, the Weddell Sea was a frozen barrier that defeated many Antarctic expeditions from the previous centuries. It is also one of the most pristine polar ecosystems on the plant that has stayed intact for millions of years.

tabular icebergs in the weddell sea shutterstock secret atlas

Where is the Weddell Sea?

The Weddell Sea is the southernmost extension of the Antarctic Ocean with an area of 12,800,000 square km. On the western and eastern sides, it is bordered by the Antarctic peninsula and the Coats Land of Eastern Antarctica respectively. On the southern end of the Weddell Sea, there are the barriers of the Ronne-Filchner ice shelf.

What hemisphere is the Weddell Sea in?

The Weddell Sea is in the southern hemisphere and its approximate central coordinates are 73° S 45° W. It remains heavily packed with sea ice, especially in the winter. However, the melting of ice in the summer results in a unique biodiversity, making its waters a unique sanctuary for various creatures.

History of Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea was discovered by British explorer James Weddell in 1823. Most Antarctic travel guides will mention that the Weddell Sea and its surrounding areas are linked with some of the most interesting chapters of Antarctic exploration.

Otto von Nordenkjöld & Carl Anton Larsen

Between 1901 and 1903, the Swedish Antarctic expedition was led by Otto von Nordenkjöld and Carl Anton Larsen on a vessel called the Antarctic. After reaching the tip of the Antarctic peninsula, a group of scientists chose Snow Hill Island as the wintering site.

However, Nordenskjold and the other members of the team had to spend two winters on the island as the Antarctic was sunk by the surrounding sea ice. The ship’s crew took shelter on Paulet Island and survived a harsh winter. Ultimately, the team was rescued by the Argentine Naval ship, Uruguay.

Ernest Shackleton

In January 1915, Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance was trapped by the unforgiving teeth of the sea ice in the Weddell Sea. Multiple efforts to free the ship failed and it sank on November 21, 1915. This marked the beginning of Shackleton’s epic journey to Elephant Island and further to the South Georgia Islands.

Climate

The Weddell Sea falls into the Antarctic climatic zone with strong surface winds. Extreme wind speed events are common in the coastal region around the Weddell Sea.

In summer and winter, there can be a complex interaction between extratropical circumpolar cyclones and Katabatic winds from the higher regions of interior Antarctica. The area can get extremely foggy even during summer.

The Weddell Sea contains an oceanographic feature that plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation. This is the Weddell gyre - a large system of circular ocean currents. Rotating clockwise, this gyre plays an important role in controlling deep ocean temperatures and can influence global climates to a large extent.

blue colored iceberg during sunset in antarctica weddell sea shutterstock secret atlas

the midnight sun over the icebergs in the weddell sea from the antarctic peninsula in antarctica shutterstock secret atlas

Activities

From photographing the wildlife to the spectacular views of massive icebergs, the Weddell Sea provides adventurers with the true feel of a polar expedition. The views in this ice-bound wilderness keep changing and even though there are fewer options for a landing, the environment is otherworldly.

Interestingly the Weddell Sea has the clearest waters among all other seas and oceans on the planet. The Guinness World Records mentions that its clarity is similar to that of distilled water. This makes it easy to view the aquatic animals from a cruise.

Wildlife

The Weddell Sea bed is home to around 14,00 faunal species, including zooplankton, which are a critical component in the Antarctic food chain. It is an important habitat for the Weddell seal, crabeater seals, and leopard seals. In 2021, a giant under-ice breeding colony of 60 million icefish were discovered here!

The high population of seals, penguins, and the Antarctic krill attract whales in large numbers. This makes the Weddell sea an excellent spot for observing humpback whales and minke whales. Killer whales, blue whales, and sperm whales can also be seen.

Emperor penguins diving in the water near the German Neumayer Antarctic station Shutterstock Secret Atlas

humpback whale tail showing on the dive antarctic peninsula shutterstock secret atlas

The Weddell Sea is also a favourite hunting ground for sea birds like petrels, gulls, and skuas. Around 300,000 breeding pairs of Antarctic petrels hunt in these waters.

This sea is an icy gem that has been preserved for centuries due to the formidable ice pack that largely prevented fishing fleets from accessing it. However, the effects of climate change will cause the melting of ice that will make this untouched region accessible to fleets. This makes it necessary to preserve the cold-water species found here.

Geology and fossil hunting

Most areas of West Antarctica originated from subduction zones resulting from the interaction of tectonic plates. On top of this zone, volcanic activity resulted in the creation of rocky surfaces.

Some islands and coastal belts around the Weddell Sea are not covered by permanent ice and are ideal locations for fossil hunting. The fossils found in these areas include plants, cephalopods, crustaceans, starfish, insects, and birds. Fossils of reptiles that can be traced back to Antarctica’s ancient link with Gondwana, around 180 million years earlier, are also found.

Locations to explore

Sailing over the Weddell is a remarkable experience in itself. Beyond that, there are some spots around it worth exploring while visiting Antarctica.

Larsen Ice Shelf

Located in the northwestern Weddell Sea, this ice shelf is divided into multiple zones and offers breathtaking views. This shelf has been in the news since the Larsen B Ice Shelf disintegrated dramatically within a few weeks in 2002.

Snow Hill

Snow Hill Island comes under the territory of the fascinating emperor penguins. For many visitors, visiting an emperor penguin rookery and photographing the penguin chicks is the realisation of a long-cherished dream.

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King penguins on the beach at Gold Harbour South Georgia Secret Atlas

Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica Micro Cruise

Combine Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica on a 78-guest cruise expedition in Spring. Follow in Shackleton’s footsteps, witness penguin chicks and whales, and enjoy uncrowded, pristine landscapes.

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21 days

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Planning your trip to Weddell Sea

While planning a trip to the Weddell Sea be prepared to face the uncertainties of the Antarctic weather. Going through the Antarctica facts will help you to pack wisely for the trip. Note, that crossing the Drake Passage is another adventure you will face during the trip. Consult your doctor if seasickness is an issue for you.

Choosing an Antarctic cruise that offers a personalized voyage with a small number of guests is the best option for exploring the Antarctic wilderness.

Visit Weddell Sea with Secret Atlas

With intimate and low-impact expeditions, Secret Atlas allows you to experience a real Antarctic adventure while staying committed to protecting the Antarctic environment. We provide guests the opportunity to connect with the Antarctic wilderness in various ways to make every voyage memorable.

If you are planning to visit the frozen continent, we have multiple itineraries to choose from. To learn more about our upcoming Antarctic voyages, get in touch.