The research vessel "Ushuaia", formerly "Researcher" and "Malcolm Baldrige", was built as an oceanographic research vessel for the NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), a United States government agency. NOAA operated the vessel for more than 20 years, performing during that period many of the most important NOAA oceanographic research operations.

After the NOAA period, the vessel was acquired by Ushuaia Adventure Corp., changing her name to "Ushuaia" and reorienting her to private oceanographic and antarctic research and logistic operations. The vessel was upgraded on navigation and communication equipment, and cabins and rooms were refurbished.

Expeditions:

Staten Island Reservation
The Staten Island Reservation includes not only the Staten Island itself but also a number of Islands that surround it and the New Year’s Day Archipelago. Altogether, they cover 50,736 acres. Staten Island is the largest and is located in the most eastern extreme of the Southern Andes.

The Island’s jagged coastline with fjords, coves and bays, offers the perfect habitat for coastal species, with an important community of invertebrates which become the food for a wide diversity of seabirds and other species.

Patagonia
From Península Valdés to Golfo San Jorge is one of the most important coastal areas in terms of biological diversity and productivity. There are few places in the world offering the abundance and diversity of bird colonies such as Magellan penguins, sea gulls, rock cormorants, albatrosses, petrels and sea mammals such as dolphins, whales and sea elephants.

Antarctica
This expedition will take voyagers to remote locations where only a few men have set foot. While landing in zodiacs, large penguin colonies, magnificent whales, and breathtaking icebergs and glaciers will be in sight.

Voyages can usually last from 8 to 15 days, and even if the itinerary might be the same for all of them, its' changing climate and the whims of stranded icebergs prevent the possibility that two voyages could be alike, the overwhelming and sometimes awesome views are never the same.

Patagonia's Peninsula Valdes - Right Whales and Orcas
Beagle Channel Dive Charters aboard the Sailing Vessel IF or the Motorsailer Tres Marias
Underwater Photos