Expedition in the Antarctic

Exploring the Antarctic by Sea

09/10/2025

About Captain Fia Wistrand

My first expedition in polar waters was in 2015. I had just completed my university studies and finished my final cadetship aboard the Swedish polar icebreaker Oden. As fate would have it, they were one deckhand short for their upcoming summer expedition - and that is how I found myself sailing through the icy waters of Northeastern Greenland, and I absolutely loved it. 

The following year, I returned for a second expedition with Oden, this time to the Geographical North Pole. Later that year, in 2016, I stepped into an officer role on an expedition cruise ship. In December, I made it to Antarctica for the very first time. Since then, it has been a wild ride. I have spent six seasons in the Arctic and eight in Antarctica, with adventures in between that have taken me to bergy coasts, sandy atolls, exotic cities and remote settlements. 

I have sailed in the ranks from deckhand to captain, and now ice pilot. Ten years of chasing ice, adventures, and the magic that comes with exploring the edges of the world - and I would not trade a second of it.

Captain Wistrand with her Leica Noctivid
Where have you been travelling and what were you doing on your travels?

For the past several years, I have spent every Northern Hemisphere winter - Southern summer - down in Antarctica, and this season was no exception. In early December 2024, I flew to Punta Arenas, Chile, where I had a few days to gear up and prepare for my next assignment as an ice pilot. 

An ice pilot’s role is to support and advise the captain and bridge team when navigating in icy waters. Some vessels are required to have an ice pilot onboard in polar waters, while others request one to provide additional expertise and experience to the bridge team. 

I spent about a month and a half exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, living my best expedition life - with a trusty pair of Noctivids over my shoulder, always ready for whatever the ice or wildlife had in store.

Captain Fia Wistrand with Leica Noctivid in hand

A good pair of binoculars is absolutely crucial in my line of work. They are always hanging on my shoulder, if not for ice navigation, then for spotting wildlife.

Captain Fia Antolkovic Wistrand

What wildlife did you observe during your visit?

We encountered the three most commonly seen penguin species around the peninsula - Chinstrap, Adelie and Gentoo. Heaps of humpbacks kept us company while we navigated along the peninsula, and we encountered a pod of orcas in the late evening sunshine. A minke whale stole the show, staying with us for hours - curious, playful and incredibly interactive. We named her Val - it was on Valentine’s Day, and fittingly ‘Val’ means ‘Whale’ in Swedish. The seal sightings did not disappoint either; leopard, elephant, Weddell and crabeater seals all made appearances. And above it all, countless seabirds followed us across the Drake Passage as we made our way across the famous, or perhaps infamous, waters.

Sunset in the antarctica
How are binoculars useful for your profession?

They are one of my most important tools, alongside the ship’s radars, when I am working as an Ice Pilot. I rely on them to read the ice ahead and find a safe path/lead for the vessel to navigate through. While the radar shows where the ice is, the binoculars help me assess what kind of ice we are dealing with, and whether it is the kind we can push through, or the kind we need to avoid.

Some ice sits low in the water and might not show on the radar. In those cases, binoculars are essential for scanning the waters ahead, ensuring we do not miss any sneaky ice. 

A good pair of binoculars is absolutely crucial in my line of work. They are always hanging on my shoulder, if not for ice navigation, then for spotting wildlife.

Discover the Leica Noctivid
Leica Noctivid on the ship
How did the Leica Noctivid support your observation needs during your trip?

The Noctivids absolutely lived up to expectations. This winter, my role was a mix of being an ice pilot and supporting the guide team, so I spent a significant amount of time out in the field in addition to my usual work on the bridge. The Noctivids were invaluable in both settings. They helped me spot incredible wildlife for our guests, giving them an up-close look at some of the most remarkable creatures out there. At the same time, they were crucial when I was supporting the bridge team in the ice, offering sharp, clear vision to ensure we stayed on the right lead. Simply put, the Noctivids were up to every task I threw at them.

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