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Vessels & Stations.
S.A. Agulhas II
S.A. Agulhas II is a South African ice breaking polar supply and research ship owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
SANAE IV
The first South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) departed in 1959.
Marion Island
The Marion base is used mainly for environmental/biological research, and weather data collection.
Gough Island
South Africa has been operating a weather station on Gough Island since 1956.
SANAE IV
SANAE IVExplore more
Expeditions &
Operations.
Voyages to Antarctica, Marion Island and Gough Island take place annually to replenish supplies and exchange personnel.
Team Structure.
Supplies.
The Voyage.
Living at the Station.
Learn more
Discover.
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) consists of three stations, countless research projects, and a history of dedicated team members.
Team Photos.
Research.
Newsletters.
Legacy.
What’s happening
Latest News.
Antarctica: Takeover Season 2025–2026
From December 2025 to February 2026, the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) embarks on its annual takeover voyage to relieve and resupply SANAE IV in Queen Maud...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability – Part 3
The End: From Field Data to Global Impact By early February 2026, the SANAP field campaign entered its final phase, completing measurements and preparing for extraction...
65th South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 65)
The S.A. Agulhas II departed to Antarctica on 24 December 2025. The 65th South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 65 was on board the vessel. The S65 team with be...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability: Part 2
The Duration: Life and Science on the Fimbulisen Ice Shelf Through mid- and late January, the team balanced demanding science with the realities of Antarctic...
Antarctica: Takeover Season 2025–2026
From December 2025 to February 2026, the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) embarks on its annual takeover voyage to relieve and resupply SANAE IV in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. This critical mission ensures a seamless transition between overwintering...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability – Part 3
The End: From Field Data to Global Impact By early February 2026, the SANAP field campaign entered its final phase, completing measurements and preparing for extraction ahead of worsening weather. Temporary GNSS stations along the calving front were recovered,...
65th South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 65)
The S.A. Agulhas II departed to Antarctica on 24 December 2025. The 65th South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 65 was on board the vessel. The S65 team with be replacing the S64 team during this Antarctic relief voyage. The takeover function took...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability: Part 2
The Duration: Life and Science on the Fimbulisen Ice Shelf Through mid- and late January, the team balanced demanding science with the realities of Antarctic fieldwork. GNSS stations positioned around major basal crevasses provided precise measurements of...
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Galleries.
SANAE IV.
Gough Island.
Marion Island.
S.A. Agulhas II.
South African icebreaking polar supply and research ship.
