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Billy Heaney On Antarctic Aontinent 3289

5 things that surprised me on my first trip to the Antarctic

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By Billy Heaney
APRIL 03, 2025

Antarctica is a land of wonder and extremes, where the unexpected awaits you around every corner.

Billy In Antarctica With Gentoo Penguins 3278
Billy with a colony of Gentoo Penguins on his first landing in Antarctica: Credit Billy Heaney

ExplorEarth writer and producer Billy Heaney recently completed his first trip to Antarctica, travelling aboard the MV Plancius expedition ship. As his ship headed back to Ushuaia, we asked him what had most surprised him about the trip. 

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Landing directly on sea ice from ice breaker ship
1
Discover
  • Introduction to Expedition Cruises
  • Articles from top Travel Writers
  • Wildlife guides
  • Webinars
Sylvia Earle ship in Sam Ford Fjord Arctic Burnham Arlidge
2
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  • Which destination you'll visit next
  • Expert guides to every region
  • Help choosing right ship
  • Free Expert Advice
Walrus resting on sea ice with M/S Stockholm in the background, showcasing Arctic wildlife and expedition cruising.
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  • Over 420 cruises to choose from
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  • Expert Advice for the best cabins
  • Find best agents for pre/post travel