VICTORY
ADVENTURE'S SOUTHERN OCEANS ANTARCTICA EXPEDITIONS
S/V SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS
Santa Maria Australis
The "SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS" a 20 metre aluminium Ketch, built in 1998 and upgraded in 2003/4, was designed for long distance cruising in extreme comfort for up to 8 guests in 3 "en suite" guest cabins.
The forward cabin offers 2 single beds plus 1 Pullman berth or converts to Queen size 'V' double plus Pullman. The port cabin offers a generous double bed plus single bunk berth and the starboard cabin offers generous twin single bunk berths.
All cabins have copious storage facilities and en-suite shower rooms with vacuum wc and full sized basin set in marble topped vanity units.
The crew have separate accommodation with deck access at the stern of the yacht.
SY Santa Maria Australis operates under the UK's MCA blue code of safety for 12 persons, which is fastidious in its requirements and recognised through out the world. The safety equipment carried exceeds their requirements, and includes automatic satellite location devices, and is inspected and maintained on a regular basis .
In addition to the MCA coding Sagittarius is CE certified
Voyages:
-
Cape Horn - 6 days
-
Cape Horn - 8 days
-
Cape Horn, Beagle Channel & Darwin Range - 12 days
-
Antarctica - 21 days
Cape Horn 6 days
6 days through the water world of the Yamana Indians
Day 1:
You reach Puerto Williams, the starting point of your sailing turn, via:
a) Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
The skipper welcomes you at the AFASYN sailing club in Ushuaia Bay. The sailing yacht is either at the pontoon there or lying at anchor in the bay.
All participants should have arrived at the club by lunchtime.
After arrival on the first day of the turn, as well as on the last day, there will be a complimentary transfer from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams or respectively the other way round.
If necessary we may use a craft other than the yacht booked to run these transfers.
b) Santiago and Punta Arenas
From Punta Arenas there are the two-engine Twin-Otter or the new Antarctica Dash run by the air taxi operator DAP, which will take you across the Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel to the starting point of our expedition.
Puerto Williams (appx. 2.300 inhabitants) situated on Navarino Island is the southernmost settlement in the world. It is here that we have reached the last outpost of civilisation.
The sailing yacht will reach Puerto Williams in the afternoon of the first day of your turn.
After arrival we will make ourselves at home on the yacht, move into our berths and unpack our luggage. The cosy narrowness of the yacht's quarters will become our home for the next six days. The yacht will provide us with safety and shelter in the pristine wilderness that we are about to enter.
The technical installations as well as the safety equipment on board will be demonstrated and explained.
The last native Tierra del Fuego Indians live on Navarino Island in the small settlement of Ukika. We can visit the Martin-Gusinde-Museum to learn about the local environment and native Indian culture or else go for a little stroll and admire the nearby beaver dams.
In the evening we will be guests at the home of Wolf Kloss for a typical Tierra del Fuego asado.
A glass of pisco sour at the yacht club will round off our first evening.
Day 2:
Off we go! We sail down the Beagle Channel, course east, past small estancias and the wreck of a small stranded freighter until we reach Puerto Toro. 100 years ago Puerto Toro was meant to become the administrative centre of the southern section of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. But after the gold rush Puerto Toro fell back into oblivion. Today the local fishing fleet use the harbour as a safe spot. With a bit of luck we can trade in freshly caught centollas, the famous southern king crabs, in the port. 25nm.
Day 3:
We cross Bahia Nassau, 50 nm, and enter the heart of the Wollaston Archipelago, the Cape Horn Islands. Santa Maria Australis drops anchor in a protected cove and waits for suitable weather. Caletta Maxwell is the best starting point. From here it is only 15 nm to the Cape.
Day 4:
We take the first possible chance and round the Cape. For the first time we sail a good 30nm in the open waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
Weather permitting we make a stop in Caletta Leon at the base of the Cape. Here the Chilean staff of the lighthouse are on duty. If possible we visit their solitary station.
In the small windswept chapel Stella Maris we pay our respects to all the seamen who lost their lives fighting the terrifying elements at this stormy cape.
A monument in the shape of an albatross has been erected here to commemorate them all.
Heading back north we cross Bahia Nassau to Lennox Island. On the leeward side of the island there is a good anchorage.
About a hundred years ago there was a gold rush here similar to the one in Alaska. Place names like Caletta Oro are still reminiscent of this era.
Day 5:
Across Bahia Oglander we sail back to Puerto Williams. In case we did not manage to make a stop at Puerto Toro on our way out, we are going to do so now.
In the evening we reach Puerto Williams after 40nm. In the Micalvi yacht club the new Cape Horniers raise their glasses to the successful rounding of the Cape.
Day 6:
A good day to sleep late, do the packing and get the return flights confirmed.
The return journey is again via
Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
Transfer on the yacht or by an alternative craft to Ushuaia.
Punta Arenas and Santiago
The well known Twin Otter or the Dash take us back to Punta Arenas. The last views of the Beagle Channel and the Cordillera Darwin bid us farewell from one of the last pristine nature reserves in the world.
Back to civilisation, what we have experienced will seem like a dream to us.
Cape Horn 8 days
8 days through the water world of the Yamana Indians
Day 1:
You reach Puerto Williams, the starting point of your sailing turn, via:
a) Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
The skipper welcomes you at the AFASYN sailing club in Ushuaia Bay. The sailing yacht is either at the pontoon there or lying at anchor in the bay.
All participants should have arrived at the club by lunchtime.
After arrival on the first day of the turn, as well as on the last day, there will be a complimentary transfer from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams or respectively the other way round.
If necessary we may use a craft other than the yacht booked to run these transfers.
b) Santiago and Punta Arenas
From Punta Arenas there are the two-engine Twin-Otter or the new Antarctica Dash run by the air taxi operator DAP, which will take you across the Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel to the starting point of our expedition.
Puerto Williams (appx. 2.300 inhabitants) situated on Navarino Island is the southernmost settlement in the world. It is here that we have reached the last outpost of civilisation.
The sailing yacht will reach Puerto Williams in the afternoon of the first day of your turn.
After arrival we will make ourselves at home on the yacht, move into our berths and unpack our luggage. The cosy narrowness of the yacht's quarters will become our home for the next twelve days. The yacht will provide us with safety and shelter in the pristine wilderness that we are about to enter.
The technical installations as well as the safety equipment on board will be demonstrated and explained.
The last native Tierra del Fuego Indians live on Navarino Island in the small settlement of Ukika. We can visit the Martin-Gusinde-Museum to learn about the local environment and native Indian culture or else go for a little stroll and admire the nearby beaver dams.
In the evening we will be guests at the home of Wolf Kloss for a typical Tierra del Fuego asado.
A glass of pisco sour at the yacht club will round off our first evening.
Day 2:
Off we go! We sail down the Beagle Channel, course east, past small estancias and the wreck of a small stranded freighter until we reach Puerto Toro. 100 years ago Puerto Toro was meant to become the administrative centre of the southern section of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. But after the gold rush Puerto Toro fell back into oblivion. Today the local fishing fleet use the harbour as a safe spot. With a bit of luck we can trade in freshly caught centollas, the famous southern king crabs, in the port. 25nm.
Day 3:
We cross Bahia Nassau, 50 nm, and enter the heart of the Wollaston Archipelago, the Cape Horn Islands. Santa Maria Australis drops anchor in a protected cove and waits for suitable weather. Caletta Maxwell is the best starting point. From here it is only 15 nm to the Cape.
Day 4:
We take the first possible chance and round the Cape. For the first time we sail a good 30nm in the open waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
Weather permitting we make a stop in Caletta Leon at the base of the Cape. Here the Chilean staff of the lighthouse are on duty. If possible we visit their solitary station.
In the small windswept chapel Stella Maris we pay our respects to all the seamen who lost their lives fighting the terrifying elements at this stormy cape.
A monument in the shape of an albatross has been erected here to commemorate them all.
At night we drop anchor in Caletta Martial where we will celebrate a CAPTAINS DINNER close to Cape Horn.
Day 5:
Heading back north we cross Bahia Nassau to Lennox Island. On the leeward side of the island there is a good anchorage.
About a hundred years ago there was a gold rush here similar to the one in Alaska. Place names like Caletta Oro are still reminiscent of this era.
Day 6:
We procede further north to Picton Island. In Caletta Banner English missionaries tried to install a station, but assaults by the native Indians chased them from the well protected cove. Without its safety they had no chance to survive the oncoming winter.
Nowadays we can still discover remnants of Indian habitations.
Day 7:
Back to Puerto Williams in the evening. 40 nm. In the Micalvi yacht club the new Cape Horniers raise their glasses to their successful rounding of the Cape.
Day 8:
A good day to sleep late, do the packing and get the return flights confirmed.
The return journey is again via
Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
Transfer on the yacht or by an alternative craft to Ushuaia.
Punta Arenas and Santiago
The well known Twin Otter or the Dash take us back to Punta Arenas. The last views of the Beagle Channel and the Cordillera Darwin bid us farewell from one of the last pristine nature reserves in the world.
Back to civilisation what we have experienced will seem like a dream to us.
Cape Horn & Darwin Range
12 days through the water world of the Yamana Indians and a journey to the glaciers of the Darwin Range
Day 1:
You reach Puerto Williams, the starting point of your sailing turn, via:
a) Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
The skipper welcomes you at the AFASYN sailing club in Ushuaia Bay. The sailing yacht is either at the pontoon there or lying at anchor in the bay.
All participants should have arrived at the club by lunchtime.
After arrival on the first day of the turn, as well as on the last day, there will be a complimentary transfer from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams or respectively the other way round.
If necessary we may use a craft other than the yacht booked to run these transfers.
b) Santiago and Punta Arenas
From Punta Arenas there are the two-engine Twin-Otter or the new Antarctica Dash run by the air taxi operator DAP, which will take you across the Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel to the starting point of our expedition.
Puerto Williams (appx. 2.300 inhabitants) situated on Navarino Island is the southernmost settlement in the world. It is here that we have reached the last outpost of civilisation.
The sailing yacht will reach Puerto Williams in the afternoon of the first day of your turn.
After arrival we will make ourselves at home on the yacht, move into our berths and unpack our luggage. The cosy narrowness of the yacht's quarters will become our home for the next twelve days. The yacht will provide us with safety and shelter in the pristine wilderness that we are about to enter.
The technical installations as well as the safety equipment on board will be demonstrated and explained.
The last native Tierra del Fuego Indians live on Navarino Island in the small settlement of Ukika. We can visit the Martin-Gusinde-Museum to learn about the local environment and native Indian culture or else go for a little stroll and admire the nearby beaver dams.
In the evening we will be guests at the home of Wolf Kloss for a typical Tierra del Fuego asado.
A glass of pisco sour at the yacht club will round off our first evening.
Day 2:
Off we go! We sail down the Beagle Channel, course east, past small estancias and the wreck of a small stranded freighter until we reach Puerto Toro. 100 years ago Puerto Toro was meant to become the administrative centre of the southern section of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. But after the gold rush Puerto Toro fell back into oblivion. Today the local fishing fleet use the harbour as a safe spot. With a bit of luck we can trade in freshly caught centollas, the famous southern king crabs, in the port. 25nm.
Day 3:
We cross Bahia Nassau, 50 nm, and enter the heart of the Wollaston Archipelago, the Cape Horn Islands. Santa Maria Australis drops anchor in a protected cove and waits for suitable weather. Caletta Maxwell is the best starting point. From here it is only 15 nm to the Cape.
Day 4:
We take the first possible chance and round the Cape. For the first time we sail a good 30nm in the open waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
Weather permitting we make a stop in Caletta Leon at the base of the Cape. Here the Chilean staff of the lighthouse are on duty. If possible we visit their solitary station.
In the small windswept chapel Stella Maris we pay our respects to all the seamen who lost their lives fighting the terrifying elements at this stormy cape.
A monument in the shape of an albatross has been erected here to commemorate them all.
At night we drop anchor in Caletta Martial where we will celebrate a CAPTAINS DINNER close to Cape Horn.
Day 5:
Heading back north we cross Bahia Nassau to Lennox Island. On the leeward side of the island there is a good anchorage.
About a hundred years ago there was a gold rush here similar to the one in Alaska. Place names like Caletta Oro are still reminiscent of this era.
Day 6:
Across Bahia Oglander we sail back to Puerto Williams. In case we did not manage to make a stop at Puerto Toro on our way out, we are going to do so now.
In the evening we reach Puerto Williams after 40nm. In the Micalvi yacht club the new Cape Horniers raise their glasses to the successful rounding of the Cape.
Day 7:
We sail westwards up the Beagle Channel past small estancias set off by the impressive mountain range of the Cordillera Darwin to Puerto Navarino. The snow covered peaks are getting higher while the channel narrows down. We immerse ourselves into the quiet solitude of this lonely mountain range. We take anchorage in Caletta Olla. A white sandy beach at the foot of the impressive glacial Mount Frances welcomes us. Appx. 55 nm.
Day 8:
A walk through the pristine wilderness to the lake of the glacier with its numerous beaver dams.
Then we carry on along the Channel. Here the glaciers flow directly into the sea. We explore the Pia Fjord and take a walk to the glacier. Plenty of glacial ice is drifting in the fjords. A colony of seals make themselves heard by loud howling. We have reached the westernmost point of our turn and stay over night here. 35 nm.
Day 9:
Our route takes us south through the Thomson Channel. At its end, the Bahia Cook, we encounter the long, rolling swell of the Pacific Ocean. Our course turns by 90 degrees, we now move eastwards into the Brazo Suroeste of the Beagle Channel. Here we come across numerous inviting coves waiting to be explored.
Day 10:
Today the gaucho Eugenio and his wife Esther welcome us at lunchtime at their estancia Kanasaca. He has a few horses ready for us, and those who feel like it can explore the surroundings of the estancia on horseback guided by their son Claudio. Afterwards a typical local meal awaits us with centollas for a starter to be followed by lamb grilled on the spit.
Day 11:
We take our leave of the majestic lonely mountain range and sail back to Puerto Williams. Back to "civilisation", we enjoy the hospitality of the southernmost clubhouse in the world and toast to our adventures in the Cordillera.
Day 12:
A good day to sleep late, do the packing and get the return flights confirmed.
The return journey is again via
Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
Transfer on the yacht or by an alternative craft to Ushuaia.
Punta Arenas and Santiago
The well known Twin Otter or the Dash take us back to Punta Arenas. The last views of the Beagle Channel and the Cordillera Darwin bid us farewell from one of the last pristine nature reserves in the world.
Back to civilisation what we have experienced will seem like a dream to us.
Due to weather or forces beyond our control, the route laid out here is subject to changes, which will always be made to ensure the safety of the participants.
Antarctica - 21 days
Day 1:
You reach Puerto Williams, the starting point of your sailing turn, via:
a) Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
The skipper welcomes you at the AFASYN sailing club in Ushuaia Bay. The sailing yacht is either at the pontoon there or lying at anchor in the bay.
All participants should have arrived at the club by lunchtime.
After arrival on the first day of the turn, as well as on the last day, there will be a complimentary transfer from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams or respectively the other way round.
If necessary we may use a craft other than the yacht booked to run these transfers.
b) Santiago and Punta Arenas
From Punta Arenas there are the two-engine Twin-Otter or the new Antarctica Dash run by the air taxi operator DAP, which will take you across the Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel to the starting point of our expedition.
Puerto Williams (appx. 2.300 inhabitants) situated on Navarino Island is the southernmost settlement in the world. It is here that we have reached the last outpost of civilisation.
The sailing yacht will reach Puerto Williams in the afternoon of the first day of your turn.
After arrival we will make ourselves at home on the yacht, move into our berths and unpack our luggage. The cosy narrowness of the yacht's quarters will become our home for the three weeks to come. The yacht will provide us with safety and shelter in the pristine wilderness that we are about to enter.
The technical installations as well as the safety equipment on board will be demonstrated and explained.
The last native Tierra del Fuego Indians live on Navarino Island in the small settlement of Ukika. We can visit the Martin-Gusinde-Museum to learn about the local environment and native Indian culture or else go for a little stroll and admire the nearby beaver dams.
In the evening we will be guests at the home of Wolf Kloss for a typical Tierra del Fuego asado.
A glass of pisco sour at the yacht club will round off our first evening.
Day 2:
Off we go!
Now we need to find a favourable window between two passing depressions. Either first to Pto. Lennox, 40 nm, or we move on right away: Leaving Cape Horn on our starboard side we sail out into the Drake-Passage.
Days 3,4,5:
These days are dedicated to crossing this demanding strait.
Limitless ocean expanses. We feel the long breath of the Southern Ocean. No land to be seen either to the west or to the east. This is where the wave systems keep rolling around Antarctica. It is where the petrels and albatrosses feel at home - and ourselves, at least for one short moment.
Our yacht crosses the Antarctic convergence zone. From now on we must take a close lookout for icebergs. With a bit of luck weatherwise we will reach the old whaling station Deception Island on the fifth day. The crater of its still active volcano provides excellent shelter amid the South Polar Seas.
Day 6:
Hillocks of black lava surround the bay.
Seals and penguins enjoy themselves on the warm beach. We anchor at Port Forster. On the beach there are still the remnants of an old whaling station to be seen.
At the outer side of the crater there are large colonies of penguins. We climb the edge of the crater and visit the breeding penguins there taking care not to cause any disturbance to the birds.
There are a few spots in the bay, where the volcano warms up the seawater. The skipper invites us for an Antarctic bathing spree.
DAY 7:
Today we have got to get up early. We need to cover 80 miles to Enterprise Island. We cross the Bransfield-Strait, which separates the South Shetland Islands from the Antarctic continent. We have to sail around numerous icebergs, drifting with the current along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula until they take their exit into the Weddell-Sea.
The Gerlache-Strait makes for more relaxed sailing. It runs in NE - SW direction between the continent and the forelying islands.
We aim for Foyn Harbour. An old whaler grounded in the bay and its small and fragile hunting boats on the surrounding rocks bear witness of times long past.
DAY 8:
Our trip along the mountain range of the Antarctic Peninsula takes us further to the south. With a bit of luck we watch orcas hunting for penguins between the Rongé and Cuverville Islands. Sea leopards, too, patrol between the growlers. Or else they can be see lounging leisurely on their drifting resting places after a successful hunting spree.
Like every year the Chilean Station of Videla is looking forward to our promised visit. Weather permitting we will spend the evening with the Chileans stationed here, provided their workload gives them sufficient time to spare for us.
Day 9:
Closed in by its surrounding glaciers Paradise Bay lies ahead of us.
Huge masses of ice break off from the impressive glaciers and drift slowly in the glittering sunshine. We carefully steer our way through them. Quite often we sight whales. Seals and penguins also seem to enjoy this sheltered and quiet spot.
We have to move on, however. Our course is SW through the Bismarck-Strait. Let's see what the ice situation is like in the Le-Maire-Strait.
We are about to sail through this impressive narrow passage between towering summits and glaciers. Quite often drifting masses of ice make moving forward difficult. Port Pleneau provides shelter for the night. If we can't make it that far, we try and spend the night in Port Charcot and have another go tomorrow.
Days 10 and 11:
The Argentine Islands are our next stop in the south. The scientific station Akademik Vernadsky was British until 1996 and thus was always good for a decent stout in its Penguin-Bar. Now it houses a Ukrainian team of scientists, so it's vodka for everybody.
Provided the ice conditions have permitted us to get so far, this will be the southernmost point of our trip: 65 degrees 25 minutes South. To procede any further is only possible in years when the ice opens up unusually much.
From this point onward the islands sheltering the coast thin out. Thus the huge icebergs drift in from the open sea until they strand on the coastal shelf. This makes getting through with a boat quite difficult and one may end up getting stuck altogether.
Day 12:
In the morning we make a halt in front of Peterman-Island. Here Adelie Penguins live in a crowded colony between the rocks. Our route takes us back through the Le-Maire-Strait. In case there was no weather for pictures yesterday, we hope for it today.
We steer north for Port Lockroy on Wiencke-Island. A museum, a post station, a souvenir shop, a colony of Gentoo penguins, a whale skeleton, all nicely laid out on land. Here at last we have a chance to send an all-alive-and-well signal and buy the souvenir of our choice.
Day 13:
Dorian Bay is just around the corner. An uninhabited British hut for provisions and shelter gives us an impression of the heroic times of the past. From its terrace you enjoy a breathtaking view of the Antarctic scenery. In front of us rises Mount Frances on Anvers Island, the highest peak of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 14:
SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS ploughs her steady course through the polar waters of Neumayer Channel between the steep mountains on Anvers Island and Wiencke Island. Back again in Gerlache-Strait we soon turn into Dallmann-Bay, a funnel shaped bay studded with tiny islands, the Melchior Islands, between whose turtle-shaped rocks we find a wonderfully quiet anchorage.
Day 15:
This is when we are going to ready ourselves for the return trip across the Drake Passage.
Days 16, 17 and 18:
At sea again.
The open sea with all its grandeur and beauty surrounds us once again.
Now we get a good chance to reflect on all the exciting experiences we made in the past ten days.
Day 19:
SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS and its successful crew anchor in a safe spot.
Antarctica, the Drake Passage and Cape Horn lie behind us. The tension of the past days gives way to the joy of having happily completed a very special turn.
Day 20:
Back to Puerto Williams, where we have a good reason for celebrating. Three weeks packed with unforgettable experiences lie behind us. It will take some time yet to internalize it all.
Day 21:
A good day to sleep late, do the packing and get the return flights confirmed.
The return journey is again via
Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
Transfer on the yacht or by an alternative craft to Ushuaia.
Punta Arenas and Santiago
The well known Twin Otter or the Dash take us back to Punta Arenas. The last views of the Beagle Channel and the Cordilliera Darwin bid us farewell from one of the last pristine nature reserves in the world.
Back to civilisation what we have experienced will seem like a dream to us.
A journey to the mysterious White Continent.
Upon returning to the hotel, memories of these experiences will be like a dream. A trip to a land of mysteries-The White Continent. A trip beyond the horizon.
Due to weather or forces beyond our control, the route laid out here is subject to changes, which will always be made to ensure the safety of the participants.
Santa Maria Australis in Antarctica
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VICTORY ADVENTURE EXPEDITIONS LTD.
Since 1991 Exploring The "Uttermost Parts Of The Earth":
The Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn
Your Cruise Specialists at the "ends of the earth"
Phone/Fax (56)61-621092, Phone (56)61-621010,Box 70, Teniente Munoz 118, Puerto Williams,
Tierra Del Fuego, Chile 'The Gateway To Antarctica'
http://cape-horn.net
email: sailing@victory-cruises.com
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