Diving in the Arctic and Antarctic: Where to Go and What to Expect

Adam-Moore

Diving at the ends of the Earth is unlike anything else in the underwater world. From surreal ice formations to encounters with penguins and seals, diving in the Arctic and Antarctic offers breathtaking experiences in some of the planet's most remote and pristine environments. Though challenging and logistically complex, polar diving is becoming increasingly accessible through expedition liveaboards and guided dives. This article explores what makes diving in the Arctic and Antarctic so unique, where to go, and what you need to know before taking the plunge.

What Makes Polar Diving Unique

Whether you are diving beside ice in the Arctic or exploring a volcanic caldera in the Antarctic, polar diving immerses you in a silent, frozen world of striking beauty. Icebergs shimmer with blue hues, light dances in the water like a kaleidoscope, and the visibility can be phenomenal. The extreme cold, however, adds layers of difficulty: you will need to be drysuit-certified, physically fit, and mentally prepared for diving in harsh and unpredictable conditions.

Diving in the Arctic

Diving in the Arctic offers a chance to explore a variety of underwater landscapes: from ice diving under frozen fjords to kelp forests teeming with life and even the occasional wreck dive. The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by continents, meaning Arctic dive destinations are often more accessible from Europe or North America than the Antarctic. Both land-based diving and Arctic liveaboards are available. While conditions vary, most diving in the Arctic occurs between June and September, when waters are navigable and temperatures are slightly less extreme.

Top Arctic Dive Destinations

1. Norway

Norway offers exceptional Arctic diving both on its northern mainland and in the remote Svalbard archipelago. In the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø, divers can explore cold, clear waters filled with kelp forests, Arctic fish, and marine life, while winter also brings the unique chance to snorkel with orcas. These regions are above the Arctic Circle but accessible, with dive centers offering guided trips. If you visit in winter, make sure you pack a pair of ice cleats for exploring and merino baselayers for under your drysuit.

For a more extreme experience, Svalbard (Spitsbergen) delivers Arctic liveaboard diving with iceberg walls, underwater ice formations, seals, Arctic fish, and topside encounters with polar bears.

Want to go snorkeling with orcas in the Arctic? Check out Orcas and Aurora.

2. Alaska

While Alaska is often associated with the Arctic, most of its diveable locations — such as around Anchorage, Seward, North Pole, and Juneau — lie south of the Arctic Circle and are considered cold-water diving, not true polar diving. That said, Alaska offers dramatic underwater landscapes, including towering kelp forests, wolf eels, anemones, nudibranchs, and the occasional harbor seal or sea lion.

Diving north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska — in places like Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Prudhoe Bay, or Kotzebue — is extremely rare and typically undertaken only by scientific teams or highly specialized expedition divers. These dives are often conducted under solid ice, in remote and logistically demanding environments.

READ MORE: SSI x Edges of Earth: We Went Glacier Diving in Alaska 

3. Northern Canada

Diving in Northern Canada is not recreational in the traditional sense — instead, it is the realm of scientific and expedition teams operating in some of the most extreme dive conditions on Earth. In locations like Resolute Bay or Cambridge Bay, divers work beneath solid sea ice or in Arctic fjords and polynyas (areas of open water surrounded by ice), studying delicate ecosystems shaped by extreme cold.

Visibility beneath the ice can be extraordinary, revealing surreal light patterns, sea anemones, jellyfish, and Arctic cod. The sheer isolation and raw beauty of these dives make them some of the most extraordinary — and least accessible — in the world.

FIND OUT MORE: Discover The Best Cold-Water Scuba Diving in Canada 

4. Iceland

Though technically sub-Arctic, Iceland is often included in Arctic diving discussions due to its proximity and cold-water environment. The Silfra Fissure, located between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, offers exceptional visibility (up to 100 meters) and otherworldly scenery.

While not true diving in the Arctic, Silfra is one of the most popular cold-water dive sites in the world and a good starting point for divers considering polar diving.

5. Greenland

Greenland’s underwater world is filled with towering icebergs, stunning visibility, and rugged terrain. Diving in the Arctic off Greenland often takes place near icebergs rather than beneath solid pack ice, with towering formations and meltwater-sculpted walls.

Greenland’s waters are home to sea anemones, fish like the Arctic char, and abundant plankton. Most diving happens from Greenland liveaboards and zodiacs, and each dive site is truly one-of-a-kind.

Get a visual on how stunning Greenland is: Ice Diving At Its Best In The East Of Greenland 

Diving in the Antarctic

Antarctica is the most remote and pristine dive destination on Earth. Diving here means descending into a world of surreal ice architecture, and a rich ecosystem home to spider crabs, dogfish, soft corals, penguins, seals, and whales.

The water temperature hovers around -1.8°C (28.8°F), and the conditions can be extremely challenging. Unlike the Arctic, Antarctica is a continent surrounded by ocean, and most diving is done from Antarctic liveaboards that usually depart from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Top Antarctic Dive Destinations

1. Peninsula

The most accessible part of the continent, the Antarctic Peninsula features towering icebergs, clear water, and a wide variety of dive sites. Diving here is often conducted off the East Antarctic Peninsula as the waters are more protected and calmer.

The landscapes may include ice walls, shallow bays, and even the remains of old whaling stations. Wildlife encounters are a major highlight, with penguins, Weddell seals, and occasionally humpback whales or orcas.

2. Deception Island

A flooded volcanic caldera, Deception Island has geothermal activity, which slightly warms the water in some areas, though dive temperatures remain cold. Divers can explore black sand bottoms, twisted kelp, and remains from the island’s whaling history. Above water, the island’s dramatic landscape is equally fascinating.

3. Danco Island and Cuverville Island

Popular stops on diving itineraries, these islands offer icy underwater landscapes and close encounters with marine life, including sea cucumbers and giant worms up to 8 feet long. Expect to see Gentoo penguins and ice formations shaped by centuries of melt and freeze cycles. The diving is relatively shallow but unforgettable in its clarity and beauty.

RELATED: Your Guide to Ice Diving: Why it is Worth Getting Cold For 

Arctic vs Antarctic: Key Differences

There are several key differences between diving in the Arctic and the Antarctic:

• Geography: The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents, while Antarctica is a continent surrounded by ocean.
• Marine Life: The Arctic tends to have more coastal marine life, while the Antarctic is home to a unique and highly specialized ecosystem, including vast krill populations and cold-adapted fish like icefish and Antarctic toothfish.
• Accessibility: Arctic dive destinations are generally easier to access from Europe and North America, whereas diving in the Antarctic requires longer expeditions typically departing from South America.
• Ice Diving: Both regions offer ice diving opportunities, but the Antarctic is colder and often more extreme.
• Visibility: Visibility is often excellent in both regions.
• Wildlife Encounters: Arctic divers may see walruses, belugas, and narwhals above the surface, while Antarctic divers experience close encounters with penguins, seals, and whales.

Who Can Dive at the Poles?

Diving in the Arctic or Antarctic is not for beginners. You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver with a Drysuit Diving certification and experience in cold water (usually a minimum of 30 logged cold-water dives). “Cold water” usually refers to below 10°C (50°F), ideally closer to 0–4°C (32–39°F).

Strong buoyancy control, physical fitness, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential. Many operators require medical clearance and comprehensive diving insurance due to the remoteness of polar locations.

Most diving in the Arctic and Antarctic does not require prior ice diving certification, even if dives are near or under floating ice. If you are joining an ice diving trip where you will be diving beneath a sealed ice sheet with a single entry/exit hole, then prior ice diver certification and experience are often required. These are true overhead dives and involve additional safety protocols like tether lines, surface tenders, and emergency drills.

LEARN MORE: Tips and Tricks to Enjoy Cold Water Diving 

Safety and Equipment

Drysuit diving is mandatory, and equipment must be rated for near-freezing temperatures. This includes thick gloves, a 12 mm hood, and backup air sources like pony bottles or redundant systems. Some expeditions use surface-supplied air or rebreathers for added safety and dive time. Hypothermia, equipment failure, and emergency evacuation are real risks, so divers must follow all safety protocols closely.

When to Go

• Arctic: June to September
• Antarctic: November to March

These are the summer months in each region, when conditions are most favorable for travel and diving.

Conservation and Environmental Ethics

Both polar regions are ecologically fragile. Divers must adhere to strict no-touch, no-disturb policies and follow the guidelines set by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) or the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). Only responsible, eco-certified operators should be used.

Plan Your Cold-Water Diving Adventure

Diving in the Arctic and Antarctic is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences a diver can have. From the silence beneath the ice to the unexpected closeness of marine life, these dives offer moments that are both humbling and exhilarating.

Beyond the polar extremes, places like northern Norway, Greenland, and Alaska offer accessible, rewarding cold-water dives that bring you face-to-face with stunning underwater worlds. With the right training and support, cold-water diving opens up a whole new world of adventure.

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