London, June 2025 – In celebration of National Oceans Month and the powerful ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ documentary released in June, Expedition Micro Cruise pioneer Secret Atlas is shining a spotlight on the ‘most important place on Earth’ including never-before-seen ecosystems discovered under the Arctic sea.
Partnering with the non-profit initiative Yachts for Science since 2024, Secret Atlas has helped researchers conduct vital studies in remote marine environments by matching them with available yachts travelling through these areas. Equipped with new technology and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), the team can spend a lot longer gathering research from these previously hard to reach places resulting in ground-breaking findings.
These first-of-its-kind micro cruises took place in the Arctic in July 2024 with scientist Dr. Paige Maroni and subsea engineer Tim Macdonald onboard, and the findings were astonishing. So much so they will be returning in July 2025 for a hugely ambitious four expedition campaign across Svalbard and Greenland. Here’s what they found:
- The range of species living under the sea was deeper than previously thought — including a nudibranch found at 93 metres depth, extending its known habitat by over 60 metres.
- They uncovered habitats ranging from coral walls and kelp forests to glacially exposed urchin barrens and sponge aggregations.
- Perhaps most notably, they found deep-sea species typically seen at 3000 metres depth — living just metres below the Arctic surface.
Research is more critical than ever with less than 20% of the ocean floor mapped, meaning biologically rich ecosystems are still undiscovered. Combining cutting-edge technology and the ability to visit these remote locations, scientists can carry out groundbreaking work on topics such as coral health, marine biodiversity, ocean mapping, and climate change.
“Our oceans are facing immense challenges, and by partnering with Yachts For Science we’re unlocking vital scientific access to areas typically beyond reach,” says Michele D’Agostino, Co-Founder of Secret Atlas. “We’re incredibly proud to run one of the industry’s lowest-impact expedition models, with a maximum of just 12 passengers on our Arctic vessels. This unique approach not only minimises our footprint but also offers our guests an unparalleled, enriching experience: the chance to witness critical marine research firsthand.”
For guests looking to join guest scientist Dr Paige Maroni on a Secret Atlas Expedition Micro Cruise to Greenland in 2025, there’s an opportunity on the Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise.Available from £15,900 per person in a twin cabin including 12 – 14 days travelling in August or September 2025.Visit Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise | Only 12 Guests.
For expeditions taking place in 2026 to both Greenland and Svalbard, visit Dates and Rates | Secret Atlas.
To find out more about how Secret Atlas has been working with Yachts for Science, visit https://www.secretatlas.com/blog/our-impact/yachts-for-science-partners-in-polar-science-research.
Discover more about Secret Atlas at www.secretatlas.com.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Media Captions (from left to right):
- Image 1 – Dr. Paige Maroni and subsea engineer Tim Macdonald launching an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) during an expedition with Secret Atlas in 2024.
- Image 2 – Secret Atlas has partnered with Yachts for Science since 2024 helping researchers conduct vital studies in remote marine environments.
- Image 3 – They uncovered habitats ranging from coral walls and kelp forests to glacially exposed urchin barrens and sponge aggregations.
High-res images downloaded from:
- The Secret Atlas Experience – https://media.secretatlas.com/the-secret-atlas-experience/
- Scientific Research – https://media.secretatlas.com/scientific-research
About Secret Atlas
Launched in 2019 and run by Explorers for Explorers, Secret Atlas trips are curated for people that want to enjoy the spirit of exploration and be a part of an intimate experience rather than joining an overcrowded commercial cruise. Secret Atlas pioneering Expedition Micro Cruises take the smallest group sizes in the Arctic (only 12 guests) and Antarctic (only 48 guests) offering guests an authentic, unrivalledexperience free from the crowds of larger vessels. To find out more about Secret Atlas, visit www.secretatlas.com.
About Yachts for Science
Yachts for Science (YFS) is a not-for-profit platform uniting passionate researchers with ocean-conscious yacht owners and crew.Whether you’re a researcher seeking time at sea, own and operate your own sailing yacht or manage a 150-metre motor yacht, Yachts for Science helps match vessels with science projects—creating missions that align with your goals, location, and schedule.Visit https://www.yachtsforscience.com/.
Contact Details
For media enquiries, images and press trips contact:
Sarah Salord
GEC PR
020 3907 6824