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BIG ACE – the Bears, Ice, Glaciers, Arctic Climate Expedition 2025

Aurora Expeditions is presenting an exclusive offer for Virtuoso advisors – clients receive an additional 10% off. 

Plus Travel Advisors have the chance to participate in this extraordinary expedition.

High Arctic Odyssey, ft. Dr Sylvia Earle

In partnership with Dr. Sylvia Earle and Ocean Geographic, the epic project honours Dr Earle’s lifelong advocacy for the world’s oceans by inviting changemaker passengers to use their own voice and talents to safeguard the planet for future generations.

BIG ACE seeks to lobby for the protection of the Arctic, foster a collective appreciation of our planet’s fragility and mitigate the impact of climate change through the power of the arts. The Arctic, where warming occurs at a rate four to five times greater than the global average, is undergoing significant degradation. 

The 13-day BIG ACE High Arctic Odyssey begins on 23 June 2025, with 2 nights in Oslo and 1 night in Longyearbyen. Participants will then board Aurora Expeditions’ small ship, Sylvia Earle, to embark on an expedition to Svalbard, from 26 June – 5 July 2025.

Secure your place onboard, enquire today! Plus take advantage of our exclusive Virtuoso benefit. Make any new booking and your client will receive an additional 10% off this expedition*.

The Arctic is a vital region of the planet. It has a major role in shaping Earth's climate. The BIG ACE is a profoundly significant project that calls for the convergence of 110 great minds. You are invited to be part of the action, to join, to be a voice.
- Dr Sylvia Earle
Group of kayakers paddling away from the Sylvia Earle, Samarinbreen, Svalbard, Lina Stock
Group of kayakers paddling away from the Sylvia Earle
Svalbard | Credit: Lina Stock
Passengers, Chermsideøya, Svalbard, Adrian Wlodarczyk
Passengers hiking through Chermsideøya
Svalbard | Credit: Adrian Wlodarczyk

Big ACE High Arctic Odyssey

Departing 23 June 2025 | 13 Days

The BIG ACE High Arctic Odyssey begins from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and navigates northward to go beyond 80°N in pursuit of the remaining Arctic ice shelf. The voyage will aim to proceed (weather permitting) eastward towards Kritøya, circling around Austfonna, one of the largest glaciers on the planet. Throughout, the aim will be to encounter and observe a diverse array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, puffins, and arctic foxes, amidst the stunning backdrop of sea ice platforms and calving glaciers. With Svalbard boasting an astounding 2100 glaciers, this expedition promises an unparalleled natural spectacle.

Our Expedition Ship - The Sylvia Earle

Our small purpose-built ship, the Sylvia Earle, was designed for discovery and carries a maximum of 130 expeditioners. Named as a tribute to marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle, it serves as a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet.

Featuring the Ulstein X-BOW® design, it cuts through the swell for a smoother transit through waves while minimising its environmental impact. Complete with a fully equipped Citizen Science Centre, multiple observation areas, Zodiac launching platforms, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, Jacuzzis, and many other amenities, the Sylvia Earle is a comfortable base camp for adventure.

Glacier shelf and the Sylvia Earle, Svalbard, Mads Peter Iversen

About Dr Sylvia Earle

Oceanographer, Marine Biologist and Explorer

Dr Sylvia Earle, a Rolex Testimonee fondly referred to as Her Deepness is the recipient of more than 100 national and international honours and awards. These include being named Time Magazine’s first Hero of the Planet, a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2014, UNEP Champion of the Earth, Glamour Magazine’s 2014 Woman of the Year, member of the Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark, and winner of 2009 TED Prize, the Walter Cronkite Award, the 1996 Explorers Club Medal, the Royal Geographic Society 2011 Patron’s Medal and the National Geographic 2013 Hubbard Medal.

A Life Dedicated to the Ocean

Sylvia was the first woman to become chief scientist of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is currently President and Chairperson of Mission Blue and the Sylvia Earle Alliance.

Known as the mother of our world’s oceans, she is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer with an insatiable passion for underwater exploration and marine conservation. Sylvia still currently holds the record for a solo dive to an astonishing depth of 1,005 meters into the deep sea.

Apply Now for your chance to join our BIG ACE Expedition

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