Ice walking in Shiretoko Peninsula

Every winter, sea ice forms off the Russian coast and drifts south across the Sea of Okhotsk until it packs against the Shiretoko peninsula — the lowest latitude on earth where drift ice reliably reaches land. For a few weeks it turns the sea solid, and in a supplied drysuit you walk out onto it, deliberately break through, and float between the floes in water that should by rights be lethal.

It is a strange, exhilarating thing to do, and the setting makes it stranger: Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather on the ice as the drift brings prey close to shore, watching you from a few metres away. This is a UNESCO-listed wilderness, and in February it feels like the edge of the world.

The ice arrives on a window of only a few weeks, its timing shifts year to year, and it has been growing less reliable. Drysuit walks run through licensed operators in the Utoro area only — book around the ice, not the calendar.

In a supplied drysuit you walk out onto the sea ice that packs against the Shiretoko peninsula each winter — the lowest latitude on earth where drift ice reliably reaches land — then deliberately break through and float between the floes in water that should by rights be lethal.

It is a strange, exhilarating thing, and the setting makes it stranger: Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather on the ice as the drift brings prey close, watching from a few metres off. This is a UNESCO wilderness, and in February it feels like the edge of the world.

Expect deep cold and a short weather-dependent window.

Book a drysuit drift-ice walk through a licensed operator in the Utoro area — this can only be done guided, and the suits and safety cover are provided.

The ice arrives on a window of only a few weeks in February and March, its timing shifts year to year, and it has been growing less reliable, so book around ice reports rather than fixed dates and allow spare days.

Reach Utoro via Memanbetsu airport and a bus or car transfer. Bring warm base layers for beneath the drysuit; participants generally need to be around thirteen or older. Confirm conditions right before you travel.