According to official safety guidelines, our passengers will always be briefed on minimum distances.Official guidelines require we keep a minimum of five meters away from wildlife. However, penguins (in Antarctica) are curious creatures unafraid of humans, so this may not always go to plan!
For Antarctica:
5 meters is the general minimum rule whilst on land but varies for some species, especially if breeding. If wildlife approaches you, this is fine if you remain quiet, but in this climate of HPAI, it is best to back away. There are also other rules for whales/zodiacs/ships (see link for the detail).iaato.orgFor the Arctic:The rules vary depending on the country. Minimum standard for Polar bears is 200 metres and Walrus 300 metres. Again it is about minimum disturbance and monitoring the behaviour.aeco.noOutside polar regions, it will all come down to environmental legislation for each country, but the essence is the same – no more than minor or transitory impact on wildlife.
While among wildlife, we recommend you walk slowly and keep noise to a minimum. If wildlife changes its behavior, stop moving or slowly put more distance between you. Animals are particularly sensitive to disturbance when they are breeding (including nesting) or molting. Your guides will keep a watchful eye at all times, but do keep your own distance.