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Overview

The sister ship to the Greg Mortimer, the Sylvia Earle features the same cutting-edge design, superior comfort and environmentally friendly technology.

Maximum passengers: 130

This vessel honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle.

Like the Greg Mortimer, the Sylvia Earle features the same revolutionary X-BOW® design, an inverted bow concept which results in smoother sailing and increased efficiency. Rather than rising over and then dropping onto waves like a traditional ship, the X-BOW® cuts through the swell, minimising vibrations, allowing for quicker transits through waves, whilst helping to reduce fuel consumption.

If you travel across the infamous Drake Passage, take some ginger tea or ginger biscuits with you to banish nausea. It can also help to lay in a place where you can see the horizon and get air often.

Features

  • 71 cabins
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Lounges
  • Library
  • Presentation room
  • Citizen Science laboratory
  • Spa and wellbeing facilities
  • Fitness room
  • Expedition jacket – yours to keep
  • Loan of rubber boots during voyage
  • Fleet of Zodiacs
  • Optional activities such as kayaking available on selected departures
  • X-BOW® design for more stability and comfort
  • Registered Ice Class 1A

Cabins & suites

Guest cabins offer exceptional comfort and most feature full length windows or private balconies. There are over 20 interconnecting cabins and many of these can accommodate a third person.

 

Single travellers
Quad, triple or twin share cabins are available (on a same gender basis). Sole occupancy of a cabin incurs a supplement.

 

 

A new standard

Innovative features of the ship include four sea-level Zodiac launching platforms, designed for speedy embarkation to help maximise time ashore. The vessel also offers a wide range of onboard activities, with a dedicated mudroom, a spacious preparation area, and a separate platform for activity launches.

At the front of the ship, the distinctive glass atrium lounge offers panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows – the perfect spot to relax with a drink, enjoy the scenery, or spot wildlife.

For relaxation and wellness, visit the Wellness Centre featuring gym, sauna, spa, and massage therapy. The heated saltwater open-air swimming pool and Jacuzzis, provide ample opportunities to unwind between landings.

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Responsible travel

Operated by AE Expeditions, a certified B Corporation, the Sylvia Earle embodies a commitment to drive meaningful environmental and social change. By travelling aboard the Sylvia Earle, you become part of these efforts to protect our planet.

As a B Corp, AE Expeditions upholds rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. In 2021, the company became Carbon Neutral certified and supports conservation initiatives such as native forest protection in Tasmania.

Through its Ocean Regeneration initiative, AE Expeditions helps restore marine ecosystems by funding the planting of one unit of marine life and the removal of one kilogram of ocean-bound waste for every passenger.

Partnerships with SeaTrees, Veritree, and CleanHub support projects including kelp forest restoration in Canada and Portugal, seagrass meadow recovery in Spain, and coral restoration in Indonesia and Costa Rica.

Anchored in sustainability

Environmentally friendly virtual anchoring technology uses GPS and advanced steering systems to hold position without deploying a traditional anchor, helping protect delicate sea floors from disturbance.

In addition, the Sylvia Earle is designed to minimise its environmental impact, with reduced emissions to air and water, lower energy consumption, high fuel efficiency, minimized light pollution to protect wildlife, and reduced on-board plastic use.

Citizen Science

Get involved in Citizen Science projects both on and off the vessel, contributing to vital research in the remote Polar regions.

Take part in data collection activities such as seabird surveys, phytoplankton studies, whale tracking, and weather mapping, then analyse your findings in the Sylvia Earle’s onboard Science Centre.

These engaging, hands-on projects offer fun opportunities to collaborate, with support from your onboard Citizen Science Coordinator throughout your voyage.

Optional experiences 

The following are offered at extra cost, but availability varies according to voyage and departure date