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    Antarctica

    Antarctica: Ice, Wildlife & Wonder

    Antarctica: Ice, Wildlife & Wonder

    This beautiful region of the world is one, filled with wonder. From the Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible gateway to the White Continent, to the deep frozen reaches of the Antarctic Circle, the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, the historic whaling bays of the Falklands, and the legendary icy expanse of the Weddell Sea and the Ross Sea. Ice-strengthened ships have turned the Emperor Penguin’s frozen world from an impossible dream into an achievable weeks-long journey, raw wonder intact.

     

     

    Antarctic Peninsula

    The White Continent’s Front Door
    A realm of towering icebergs, narrow channels, and teeming wildlife, best explored from November to March. The Antarctic Peninsula offers the highest chances to encounter humpback whales, leopard seals, gentoo penguins, and vast krill-feeding congregations. The landscapes are majestic and humbling glaciers calving into crystal seas, snow-covered peaks plunging straight into dark waters. True expedition territory at the heart of
    Antarctica.


    Falklands & South Georgia

    Wildlife Capitals of the Southern Ocean
    Best visited from October to January, these sub-Antarctic islands are a riot of life and history. South Georgia hosts millions of king penguins, elephant seals, and albatross colonies so dense they blanket the hillsides. The Falklands offer white-sand beaches dotted with gentoo and Magellanic penguins, plus a living legacy of British maritime heritage. A place where wildlife has no fear of humans, and every landing feels like stepping into a
    nature documentary.


    The Antarctic Circle

    Further South, Deeper into the Ice
    From February through March, crossing the Antarctic Circle (66°33′ South) is a badge of polar achievement. This remote latitude offers continuous daylight, pack ice that stretches to the horizon, and a profound sense of isolation. Wildlife includes minke whales, crabeater seals, and Adélie penguins. Fewer ships venture here, making landings feel genuinely unexplored. A journey for those who want to go beyond the expected.


    Fly the Drake

    Skip the Sea, Soar to the White Continent
    For travellers short on time or prone to seasickness, flying across the infamous Drake Passage transforms a multi-day ocean crossing into a two-hour flight. Departing from Punta Arenas, Chile, you land directly at Chile’s Frei Station or King George Island in the South Shetlands — stepping onto Antarctic soil within hours instead of days. Your expedition ship awaits you there, ready to begin the wildlife-filled portion of your journey without the legendary Drake shake.


    The Weddell Sea

    Home of the Emperor Penguin
    From November to December, the Weddell Sea is the most ice-choked and otherworldly corner of the Antarctic sound. Famous for the giant tabular icebergs calved from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, this is the best region to encounter the legendary Emperor Penguin, the only species that breeds on sea ice. Access is never guaranteed.


    The Ross Sea

    The Historic Heart of Heroic Exploration
    Reached at the height of the Austral Summer (December – January) The Ross Sea is accessible only by ice-
    strengthened ships on extended voyages, this is a journey across the Antarctic Circle to McMurdo Sound, where Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen launched their legendary bids for the Pole. Wildlife includes orcas, Ross seals, and vast Adélie penguin colonies. The centerpiece is the volcanic Mt. Erebus and the haunting huts of the Heroic Age standing where explorers once stood is the essence of true polar heritage.

    The hard topics

    Antarctic Season Overview

      – DATE SPAN: Late October to Mid march

      – SHORTEST ITINERARIES: 6 days / 5 nights (Fly the Drake – Antarctic Peninsula express)

      – LONGEST: Up to 31 days (Ross Sea & Eastern Antarctica – from New Zealand)

      – DAYLIGHT:Up to 20+ hours of daylight from late November to late January. Peak: Austral Summer Solstice (December 21)

      – ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE DURING CRUISES:
    Kayaking – Zodiac cruising – Hiking & Ice walks – Camping overnight – Wildlife Observation – Polar plunge  – Snorkeling & Diving (Select Voyages)

    The perks of Antarctic Cruises on Small Expedition Ships

    From intimate micro-cruises with just 16 guests to luxury expedition vessels hosting up to 200, small-ship exploration offers immersive journeys, close wildlife encounters, and access to remote fjords and ice-filled passages beyond the reach of larger ships — all in exceptional comfort and style.

    The Wheres, When and Hows of traveling to Antarctica

    What you need to know

    Antarctic Peninsula

    • Best time to visit: November – March
    • Nearest access point: Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), Santiago
    • Wildlife: Gentoo penguins, humpback whales, leopard seals, crabeater seals, kelp gulls
    • Highlights: Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, active and historical research stations, calving glaciers and gigantic Icebergs, first landing on the Continent

    SEE ALL AVAILABLE CRUISES ->

    Falklands & S. Georgia

    • Best time to visit: October – January
    • Nearest access point: Stanley (Falklands), Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Montevideo
    • Wildlife: King penguins, elephant seals, fur seals, albatross colonies, Magellanic penguins
    • Highlights: Salisbury Plain (100,000+ king penguins), Grytviken whaling station
      (Shackleton’s grave), white-sand beaches, historic port of Stanley

    SEE ALL AVAILABLE CRUISES ->

    Antarctic Circle Journey

    The Antarctic Circle

    • Best time to visit: February – March
    • Nearest access point: Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Christchurch (for Ross Sea departures)
    • Wildlife: Minke whales, Adélie penguins, crabeater seals, snow petrels, orcas
    • Highlights: Crossing 66°33′ South, continuous daylight, pack ice navigation, monumental icebergs, remote solitude, true polar achievement

    SEE ALL AVAILABLE CRUISES ->

    Fly the Drake

    • Best time to visit: November – March
    • Nearest access point: Punta Arenas (Chile)
    • Wildlife: Gentoo penguins, leopard seals, humpback whales
    • Highlights: Same as on any other Antarctic Peninsula or Crossing the Circle but zero o half the time crossing the Drake Passage, so no rough water, immediate Antarctic landings, perfect for time-pressed or motion-sensitive travelers

    SEE ALL AVAILABLE CRUISES ->

    The Weddell Sea

    • Best time to visit: November – December
    • Nearest access point: Ushuaia, Punta Arenas
    • Wildlife: Emperor penguins, Adélie penguins, Weddell seals, leopard seals, orcas, 
    • Highlights: Giant tabular icebergs, Snow Hill Island emperor colony (helicopter-
      dependent), ice-choked channels, Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, extreme remoteness

    SEE ALL AVAILABLE CRUISES ->

    The Ross Sea

    Best time to visit: December – February
    Nearest access point: Christchurch & Buff (NZ), Hobart (AUS)
    Wildlife: Emperor penguins, Adélie penguins, Ross seals, orcas (Type C), minke whales, Weddell seals

    Highlights: McMurdo Sound, Scott’s Discovery Hut, Shackleton’s Nimrod Hut, Mt. Erebus
    (active volcano), Ross Ice Shelf, Cape Royds massive Adélie penguin colony

    SEE ALL AVAILABLE CRUISES ->

    Filter all trips

    Destinations

    Price

    Vessel Category

    Month

    Year

    Duration

    Sort by

    Start: Sep 26, 2026

    End: Oct 12, 2026

    Departure: Punta Arenas

    Arrival: Punta Arenas

    Magellan Explorer

    Duration: 17 Days

    Show Prices
    From$10,995

    Start: Oct 12, 2026

    End: Oct 28, 2026

    Departure: Punta Arenas

    Arrival: Punta Arenas

    Magellan Explorer

    Duration: 17 Days

    Show Prices
    From$10,995

    Start: Oct 13, 2026

    End: Nov 3, 2026

    Departure: Ushuaia

    Arrival: Ushuaia

    Ushuaia

    Duration: 22 Days

    Show Prices
    From$11,600

    Start: Oct 22, 2026

    End: Nov 12, 2026

    Departure: Montevideo

    Arrival: Ushuaia

    Expedition

    Duration: 22 Days

    Show Prices
    From$16,999$11,899

    Start: Oct 22, 2026

    End: Nov 12, 2026

    Departure: Cape Town

    Arrival: Buenos Aires

    SH Diana

    Duration: 22 Days

    Show Prices
    From$15,850

    Start: Oct 23, 2026

    End: Nov 10, 2026

    Departure: Ushuaia

    Arrival: Ushuaia

    M/v Sea Spirit

    Duration: 19 Days

    Show Prices
    From$16,195

    Start: Oct 24, 2026

    End: Nov 13, 2026

    Departure: Puerto Madryn

    Arrival: Ushuaia

    m/v Plancius

    Duration: 21 Days

    Show Prices
    From$14,850

    Start: Oct 24, 2026

    End: Nov 14, 2026

    Departure: Ushuaia

    Arrival: Ushuaia

    Sylvia Earle

    Duration: 22 Days

    Show Prices
    From$31,395$26,686

    Start: Oct 28, 2026

    End: Nov 16, 2026

    Departure: Punta Arenas

    Arrival: Ushuaia

    Magellan Explorer

    Duration: 20 Days

    Show Prices
    From$15,995
    Check below the current Special and Exclusive Offers and kisckstart your adventure. We'll help you every step of the way!

    Ready to go right now?

    Early Booking

    Explore the Antarctic Peninsula | 12 Days

    12 Days / 11 Nights
    Dates : Mid Nov 2026
    Ushuaia / Ushuaia
    Pre hotel night + Transfers + Expedition parka + Boots on loan + All meals onboard
    From$11,595$7,250
    Early Booking

    Antarctic Peninsula Voyage

    11 Days / 10 Nights
    Dates : Late Dec 2026
    Ushuaia / Ushuaia
    Small expedition ship + No frills + Extended zodiac outings + Boots on loan + Wi Fi
    From$9,650$8,685
    Early Booking

    Weddell Sea Journey

    13 Days / 12 Nights
    Dates : Early Dec 2026
    Ushuaia / Ushuaia
    Small expedition ship + No frills extended + Zodiac outings boots on loan + Wi Fi + All adventure activities included
    From$10,150$9,135
    Early Booking

    Falklands & South Georgia Starting in Puerto Madryn

    17 Days / 16 Nights
    Dates : Late Oct 2026
    Puerto Madryn / Ushuaia
    Pre hotel night + Transfers + Expedition parka + Boots on loan + All meals onboard
    From$14,695$9,185
    Our Fleet, Made Simple

    Three ways to explore.
    One spirit of expedition.

    From the most intimate micro-cruise experiences to refined ultra-luxury expedition vessels, every category offers remote access, expert guidance, and a different balance of adventure and comfort.

    Micro Cruise Expedition

    12–40 guests

    The most intimate and flexible way to explore. These small vessels reach quieter coves, narrower channels, and remote landing sites while offering a highly personal, nature-first experience.

    • Closest connection with guides, wildlife, and landscapes

    • Flexible itineraries shaped by conditions and opportunities

    • Ideal for travelers who value immersion over onboard frills

    Pure Expedition

    70–130 guests

    True exploration in its classic form. Purpose-built or ice-strengthened small ships designed for active itineraries, immersive shore landings, expert-led outings, and a relaxed expedition atmosphere.

    • Extended Zodiac excursions and meaningful off-ship experiences

    • Excellent access to remote fjords, coasts, and ice-filled passages

    • Adventure-focused, comfortable, secure, and guest-oriented

    Premium & Luxury Small Expedition

    130–200 guests

    The highest expression of small-ship expedition travel. These state-of-the-art vessels combine authentic exploration with elevated comfort, refined design, and all-inclusive service.

    • Spacious suites, elegant public areas, and fine dining

    • Immersive itineraries with expert guides and active excursions

    • Ideal for travelers who want adventure without compromising on style

    Need help choosing? With more than 25 years of experience, we help match every traveler to the right vessel, the right region, and the right expedition style.

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