Year: 2023

Antarctica: Circle and Weddell Sea Scuba Expedition 2024

Jett & Kathryn Britnell July 18, 2023 Comments are off

with Jett & Kathryn Britnell aboard Aurora Expedition’s Sylvia Earle March 8 – 25, 2024

Life changing Antarctica! Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Antarctica’s Circle and Weddell Sea, one of the world’s most remote, wilderness realms!

The time to book for 2024 is NOW!

Scuba diving in Antarctica is a mesmerizing adventure like no other. Descending into the icy depths reveals a breathtaking world, from penguins gracefully swimming past to extraordinary ice formations. It’s an unforgettable journey into an untouched aquatic wonderland.

So long as the current 20% off discount is showing online at Aurora Expeditions, an additional 10% off is available for our group. That’s a sweet 30% off the standard trip cost. This discount is available for anyone, divers and non-divers. Just say you want to book under Jett Britnell’s Group.

This will really be a life-changing on so many levels. Condé Nast Traveller has named Aurora Expeditions’ Sylvia Earle (launched in December 2022) to its ‘Hot List’ of the cruise world for 2023, a selection of what the publisher calls “a curated collection of the world’s best new cruises”. Aurora Expeditions was also voted the #2 Best Adventure Cruise Line in the prestigious 2023 @USATODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest.

Booking Link: Here

Itinerary Details: Here

Scuba Program Details: Here

Antarctica: Circle & Weddell Sea Scuba Expedition Media Kit: Here

Route Map

Please note: Our exact route in Antarctica will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. Aurora Expeditions will always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

Guest Speakers

Jett and Kathryn will be participating onboard as a Guest Speakers for this expedition, as well as scuba diving in order to document Antarctica’s undersea realm.

Life As It Happens

Jett Britnell Named IAATO Antarctic Ambassador

Jett & Kathryn Britnell July 6, 2023July 6, 2023 Comments are off

IAATO Antarctic Ambassador

I’m pleased to share that I have been named an Antarctic Ambassador by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators – IAATO.

IAATO is an international organization comprised of more than 100 respected companies and organizations from across the world. Their mission is to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector tourism to the Antarctic.

IAATO’s Antarctic Ambassadors is a global community of people who love and respect the region, educate others by sharing their Antarctic experiences, advocate for Antarctica when opportunities arise and protect Antarctica by making positive changes at home.

An Antarctic Ambassador is someone who…

Loves and respects the region,
Educates others by sharing their Antarctic experiences,
Advocates for Antarctica when opportunities arise, and
Protects the region by making positive changes at home.

There are approximately 500 IAATO Ambassadors worldwide.

Join an Expedition

Antarctica: Circle and Weddell Sea Scuba Expedition 2024

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 Comments are off

Let’s go Polar Diving

It’s never too early to start planning for 2024. Come diving with us in Antarctica’s Circle & Weddell Sea. Of course, there will also be some spectacular shore excursions. More details soon. PM me if you are interested in coming along. And who knows… we just might create a signature martini for this epic adventure.

Booking Link: Here

Itinerary Details: Here

Scuba Program Details: Here

Life As It Happens

“Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.”

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 13, 2023May 13, 2023 Comments are off

“Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.”

— Jennifer Hayes & David Doubilet,

National Geographic Underwater Photography Legends

& Storytellers

It’s taken me awhile since last night to soak it all in. Kathryn and I went to Vancouver’s Orpheum to see “National Geographic Live: David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes: Coral Kingdoms and Empires of Ice.” If you have not seen David and Jennifer’s presentation, I encourage you to go see it wherever you can as it is an absolute crowd pleaser.

Somehow, I had missed seeing any advertisements for their show… and it was only late last Friday evening that Kathryn noticed it on her cellphone. She ordered tickets from the car… Row 2, Centre! I reached out the next day to Jennifer to say if they had any available time during their whistle stop to Vancouver… we could perhaps go for dinner or grab a drink somewhere. It was a longshot as these road shows are often heavily scripted by the show organizers. As suspected, it was not possible this trip. But Jennifer said to me…” We can catch up at the show if you make it. David has a book he signed for you, and it has lived in his equipment room… that man.”

We met up soon after their presentation in the lobby just before they were about to sit down for book signings for a long line of people. Jennifer had our book in a bag under her arm and handed to me. I gave her a hug and said how much I we enjoyed their presentation. She replied… “Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.” I totally wasn’t expecting that. We moved on upstairs where David was already signing books. We jumped the que to say a quick hello to David and grab a photo op together.

Thank you, Jennifer, and David, for the gift of your beautifully photographed book “Two Worlds- Above & Below the Sea” inscribed by the author with kind words of support and encouragement. Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do … and continue to do… for the oceans. We’ll see you next visit… or possibly in some far-flung corner of this world.

Life As It Happens

Our Shark Photo Used As Artist Reference

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 13, 2023May 13, 2023 Comments are off

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”

— Henry Ward Beecher

Our Shark Photo Used as Artist Reference

A long, long, long time ago I embraced photography as my primary form of creative expression. Mainly because I felt I did not possess the talent to be a painter. Anyway, I awoke this morning to a lovely message from an Art Teacher in Monroe, Louisiana. In a roundabout way it seems that one way or another… I’m determined to channel my inner Van Gogh through my photography.

“Good morning, Jett!

I wanted to say thank you for giving my student permission to use your photo as a reference! I am pleased to say that not only did she complete her beautiful drawing, but she won first place in the soft pastel category of our district’s Talented Art show! She has given me permission to share her photograph and information. This was her first time using soft pastel!”

Name: Sara Young

School: Ouachita Parish High School – Monroe, LA

Grade: 9th

Sara LOVES creating artwork inspired by sea life. Thank you again so much!”

— Leslee Gallant, Art Teacher

In The Press

“Teamwork in the Depths” Published in Alert Diver

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 30, 2023May 11, 2023 Comments are off

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Teamwork in the Depths

Our story, “Teamwork in the Depths” is published in the current issue of “Alert Diver Magazine.” Last fall, Stephen Frink, editor of Alert Diver asked if we would author a story given the premise that underwater photographers are increasingly sharing the ocean with equally passionate underwater photographers and there may be fierce competition to compete for a photo op. As Kathryn and I had recently been diving in the Philippines with a large group of underwater photo pros, and while the pressure should have been intense to come home with the very best images, our social media posts implied we were working in a climate of camaraderie, respect, and support for getting the best image… all while not stressing the marine environment. Many thanks to Stephen and his talented team at Alert Diver. The consistently high quality of this publication speaks volumes about their teamwork.

The feedback we have received from our peers says it all for us:

Tanya Griffin Houppermans

“Bravo, Jett and Kathryn! I love that the diving community will see what happens when we work together and help lift each other up. What a great experience that was in the Philippines!”

Vijay Raman

“Thank you Kathryn and Jett for highlighting such an important topic. Proper photo etiquette is a piece that can really define the overall experience for both yourself and all those with you. With that spirit of camaraderie, teamwork and perhaps mentorship when appropriate, everyone comes away with a much richer experience. I know our time together this past summer was very fulfilling to me and I hope I was able to give back a little as well.”

Marty Snyderman

“I certainly agree with all of this!”

Michael Aw

“Good work bro & Kathryn!”

Allison Vitsky Sallmon

“Great to see this topic covered, and a wonderful article:). Congratulations!”

Here is a link to the story online: HERE

Life As It Happens

Explorers Club Annual Dinner 2023 in NYC

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 28, 2023May 15, 2023 Comments are off

ECAD Week in NYC

The world’s largest gathering of pioneers of exploration in space, in the oceans and on land came together in New York City on April 22, 2023, for the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) at The Glasshouse to celebrate the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation. The Dinner is the highlight of a week that included special events featuring many of the world’s most famous and distinguished explorers. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City. Since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are just 3,827 Explorers Club members worldwide.

Ice Tower for Explorers Club signature cocktail.

The Canadian Chapter

We had a blast in NYC attending ECAD events and the Annual Dinner. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City and since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are 3,827 members worldwide.

Most of our Canadian Chapter members were able to get together for drinks or dinner during ECAD week. All I will say it was gratifying to see that the Canadian Chapter had commandeered three tables this year at ECAD. I was also told by more than one person that the Canadian Chapter is viewed as being the “gold standard” of chapters. It takes a village and accolades such as this are a direct reflection of the combined efforts of our chapter’s Executive Team and volunteers.

Here’s to Never ending Conversations

I was also the beneficiary of some exceedingly kind words from a remarkably talented individual. Jaclyn Whittal has been forecasting and reporting on the most extreme weather across North America for 13 years. She has stood in front of the world’s largest ever recorded tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma, has been in the centre of 9 hurricanes, and reported on countless blizzards, wildfires, and floods across the U.S. and Canada. She’s worked as a meteorologist, journalist, host, and field producer on the hit storm chasing series STORM HUNTERS for The Weather Network… and is also a Fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a newly elected Fellow in The Explorers Club. With all affection I call her the “storm-chasing babe.” And she has become a trusted friend to both Kathryn and me.

In The Press Published Work

The Philippines: Tripping the Depths Fantastic with Atlantis Dive Resorts

Jett & Kathryn Britnell February 11, 2023 Comments are off

Common lionfish Pterois volitans JETT BRITNELL

The Philippines

Last year, Kathryn and I accepted an invitation from diving legend and Atlantis ImageMakers Ambassador, Marty Snyderman, to fly to the Philippines in August, with an international group of nine other underwater photo pros, to participate in Atlantis ImageMakers 2022, hosted by Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards, Philippines.

Our collective mission for two weeks between the two resorts, Atlantis Dumaguete and Atlantis Puerto Galera, was to do nothing except come along and… “bring a great attitude, dive safely, and above all have fun!” We did all that, and more. While we were under no obligation to do so… we decided to write a story about it for our adventure column in Luxe Beat Magazine.

Flamboyant cuttlefish Jett Britnell — Flamboyant cuttlefish. Photo by Jett Britnell.

Whatever you give in love… always comes back to you in countless ways.

Published Work

Pub Crawling London’s Immortal Drinking Dens

Jett & Kathryn Britnell January 19, 2023 Comments are off

London’s immortal drinking dens have been part of the storied town’s cultural fabric for centuries. Swarthy smugglers, roguish pirates, drunken sailors, dreaded press gangs, a great fire, multiple wars, literary legends, inebriated philosophers, dubious politicians, spurned lovers, hell raising thespians, ribald poets, hedonistic rock stars, gentrification, and a global pandemic could not bring London’s celebrated pub culture to its knees. Shrouded in history, London’s boozers are rife with tall tales of excessive indulgence, scandals, and allegedly stories of spooky paranormal activity. These worn-in social shrines of yore have been the backbone of British society and provided a meeting place where people from all walks of life could order an amber elixir, soak in the atmosphere, and get drunk on history.

The Coal Hole entrance Jett Britnell — The Coal Hole entrance. Photo by Jett Britnell

Our story “Pub Crawling London’s Immortal Drinking Dens” was published this morning in Luxe Beat Magazine and it has earned us our 16th “Editor’s Pick” and another “Feature.” I had to truly take one for the team on this boozer expedition as I had to bend the elbow… I mean… conduct solo research… at several of London’s historic pubs without Kathryn as she was attending some business meetings while in town. With a nod and a wink to Charles Dickens… “It was a far, far better thing that I did than I have ever done; it was a far, far better pub crawl that I went on than I have ever known.

The Mayflower pub. Photo by Jett Britnell

Story is: Here

(Play Nice In The Sandbox, Kids. Ask, Don't Steal)