Kayaking in Antarctica

Cross the Antarctic Circle

  • EXPERT-LED CRUISE
Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Boat
29/02/24 14/03/24 14 days £13,095 MS Seaventure Reserve place
25/01/25 08/02/25 14 days £12,795 MS Seaventure Reserve place
26/02/25 12/03/25 14 days £11,245 MS Seaventure Reserve place

Travelling further south down the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, this journey is ideally suited to those who are keen to really maximise their time on the White Continent and travel where few others go.

At the height of the season, when ice conditions are such that vessels can sail further south, the indescribable feeling of being utterly off the beaten track is quite overwhelming. Cruise onboard the 1-A Super ice class rated MS Seaventure accompanied by an experienced and passionate team of adventure guides and experts.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

MS Seaventure, Aerial view of ship ice breaking, Antarctica 1

Navigate Pack Ice

Travel aboard the comfortable, ice-strengthened MS Seaventure.

Adelie penguins, Antarctica 2

Antarctic Wildlife

Explore picturesque bays and sail narrow waterways through wildlife-rich waters.

Map of the South Pole 3

Cross the Circle

Count yourself among the small handful of people who cross the Antarctic Circle each season.

Detaille Island 4

Remote Base W

Visit an abandoned British station on Detaille Island, a time capsule from the 1950s.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Ushuaia

  • Day 2

    Embarkation

  • Days 3 - 4

    Drake Passage

  • Day 5

    South Shetland Islands

  • Days 6 - 8

    Antarctic Circle

  • Day 9 - 11

    Antarctic Peninsula

  • Day 12 - 13

    Drake Passage

  • Day 14

    Ushuaia Disembarkation

Day 1

Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia. Situated on the southern shore of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world. Transfer to your accommodation.

Day 2

Embarkation

Spend the morning exploring Ushuaia before transferring to the pier to board your boat, set sail and enjoy your first dinner onboard.

Days 3 - 4

Drake Passage

Head south across the Drake Passage, a true right of passage. Begin to spot wildlife as seabirds including albatross and giant petrels follow the boat. Crossing the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctic waters, temperatures cool and icebergs will begin to appear.

Day 5

South Shetland Islands

Arrive on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the volcanic South Shetland Islands. The team will choose the best activities based on the weather, wildlife and ice conditions. Zodiac excursions will be twice daily, either landing ashore to explore on foot or joining the wildlife on the water.

Days 6 - 8

Antarctic Circle

Heading south across the Bransfield Strait and count yourself among the small handful of people who cross the Antarctic Circle each season. From the southernmost point return north, cruising through the narrow channels of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 9 - 11

Antarctic Peninsula

Heading north, explore picturesque bays manoeuvring through wildlife-rich waters offering excellent opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites. Spot numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines.

Day 12 - 13

Drake Passage

Re-cross the legendary Drake Passage.

Day 14

Ushuaia Disembarkation

Arrive back in Ushuaia for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

Landscape of Mountain Range, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Antarctic Peninsula

66° 33' 44" South

Arrive at 66.5 degrees south latitude, marking the start of the Antarctic, an impressive achievement that is reached by few vessels. After crossing the famed line, celebrate in style by sipping a bubbling glass of champagne. If crossing the Antarctic Circle was not quite enough, perhaps try snorkelling or diving in crystal clear waters to see the secret world of ice below the surface and an array of marine life.

Two red tents on the ice, Antarctica
Camping in Antarctica
Single person in red bivy sack in ice, Antarctica
Camping in a bivy sack in Antarctica

Spend a Night on the Ice

Weather permitting, spend a night in a bivvy bag or tent on the continent. Aside from the bragging rights of having camped on the 7th continent, this is a truly remarkable adventure to take your Antarctic voyage to the next level. Limited spots make this an exclusive and intimate experience, and presents incomparable opportunities for marvelling at the polar night sky.

Kayaking in Antarctica
Kayaking in Antarctica
Crabeater Seal, Iceberg, Icefloe, Antarctic Peninsula
Crabeater Seal

Daily Life in Antarctica

Volcanic, mountainous and mostly glaciated, the South Shetland Islands are renowned for their dense wildlife population. With vast penguin rookeries, lounging Antarctic fur seals and wallowing southern elephant seals dotting the landscape, the islands are inhabited only by a skeleton crew of scientists and offer up awe-inspiring scenery. Land at Deception Island and consider hiking the steep peak on the eastern side to a magnificent viewpoint. Alternatively, explore ice floes and icebergs by zodiac or kayak the islands’s flooded caldera for a genuine feeling of solitude.

Abandoned British Base W, Detaille Island, Antarctica
Abandoned British Base W, Detaille Island, Antarctica

Visit Base W

Aside from the small rookery of Adelie penguins that inhabit Detaille Island, the real draw is Base W. Visit this abandoned British research station, which was occupied by a team of scientists in the 1950s, was hurriedly evacuated when unstable ice around the island blocked the access of its supply ships. A curious time capsule of sorts, the scientific outpost was once the base of everything from meteorological studies to mapping projects.

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

MS Seaventure is equipped with a modern technology fuel optimisation system and all itineraries are created with fuel consumption in mind. All rubbish is sorted and recycled on the mainland and food waste disposed of using the Scanship Foodwaste System.

Travel is a great educator. Get hands on with the Citizen Science Program supporting research facilities and providing invaluable data to the scientific community. This could be anything from counting penguins and taking ocean samples to cloud mapping or taking photo identification images for the whale data bank. An enriching experience offering a new perspective to your travels.

Cruising with our partners at Polar Latitudes in turn supports a host of important Antarctica conservation initiatives. Regular events and activities contribute to the work of organisations including The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and Scott Polar Research Institute.

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Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

MS Seaventure £££££

  • Antarctica

The Seaventure has capacity for a maximum of 139 passengers in five different cabin categories. She carries a fleet of 14 zodiacs and has 16 highly experienced expedition staff. All of the outside cabins are well designed with ample storage, a seating area and in cabin TV on which you can stream or record lectures. For when the weather is inclement there is a large forward observation lounge, two dining rooms and an outside café. There is also a gym, sauna, outdoor saltwater pool and a certified physician and clinic onboard.

View Boat

Other available dates

For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980

Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Boat
29/02/24 14/03/24 14 days £13,095 MS Seaventure Reserve place
25/01/25 08/02/25 14 days £12,795 MS Seaventure Reserve place
26/02/25 12/03/25 14 days £11,245 MS Seaventure Reserve place

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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