Making the most of Dumont d Urville
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered by inflatable zodiac boats.
Sightseeing
The station allows only 30-40 people to come ashore at one time. Ice and strong katabatic winds often prevent landings, either by Zodiac or by helicopter. The station can accommodate about 30 winter-overs and 120 during the summer. The icebreaker ship l'Astrolabe (French) carries supplies and personnel to the station from the port of Hobart, Tasmania. It does 5 round-trips between November and March. The Academy Award-winning documentary film La Marche de l'empereur, released in English as March of the Penguins, was filmed in the region around this base.