Expeditionary Vessel
Travel aboard one of our chosen ice-strengthened expeditionary vessels.
Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15/01/25 | 27/01/25 | 12 days | £10,650pp | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
06/02/25 | 18/02/25 | 12 days | £10,650pp | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
16/02/25 | 28/02/25 | 12 days | £10,095pp | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
In this introduction to Antarctica, explore the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands and count yourself as one of those who has crossed the renowned Drake Passage – whether you experience the “Drake Lake” or the “Drake Shake” only time will tell.
This Antarctic cruise allows intrepid travellers to explore the most accessible chunk of the earth’s southernmost continent, experiencing dramatic icy landscapes and a wealth of wildlife. Cruise on board the 1-A Super ice class rated MS Seaventure or the cutting-edge Sylvia Earle, accompanied by an experienced and passionate team of adventure guides and experts.
Travel aboard one of our chosen ice-strengthened expeditionary vessels.
Earn your stripes by crossing the Drake Passage between Cape Horn and the South Shetlands.
Depending on the vessel and departure, go ice camping, kayaking, skiing or ice climbing.
Endemic wildlife includes penguins, whales and seals, plus impressive bird species.
Day 1
Ushuaia
Day 2
Embarkation
Days 3 - 4
Drake Passage
Days 5 - 6
South Shetland Islands
Days 7 - 9
Antarctica
Days 10 - 11
Drake Passage
Day 12
Ushuaia
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
Earn your stripes by crossing the Drake Passage, the renowned body of water between Cape Horn and the South Shetlands. 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.
Days 5 - 6
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 7 - 9
Antarctica
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.
Days 10 - 11
Drake Passage
Re-cross the legendary Drake Passage spotting wildlife as you sail.
Day 12
Ushuaia
Arrive back in Ushuaia for onward travel.
Time on the high seas can be spent whale-spotting, photographing the abundant pelagic birdlife that follow the ship, and simply revelling in the remarkable and seemingly endless scenery. In addition, a variety of informal lectures given by the expert expedition staff cover subjects such as polar exploration, photography, marine biology and environmental issues. After following the path of the great polar explorers through the notorious Drake Passage, you will be able to experience the real thrill of expedition cruising – when not eating or sleeping, venture out for long, adrenaline-packed days on land or in a zodiac.
Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, navigate the Antarctic Sound that is often referred to as ‘iceberg alley’ to see its huge tabular icebergs drift north. Depending on the weather conditions, it is possible to visit Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords or Deception Island with its hot springs. Deception Island is still considered an active volcano, and sailing through the narrow Neptune’s Bellows passage into its huge flooded caldera is a thrilling experience.
Off-ship, days are spent cruising ice-clogged channels by zodiac on the lookout for seals, whales and interesting icebergs. Landings are also a major part of the experience and, for many, setting foot on the white content is the ultimate travel experience. It is also possible to camp out on the ice, kayak to icebergs, see abandoned whaling stations and modern-day research stations. At the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, receive a warm welcome from the station crew. On specific departures, certified divers can join an extraordinary polar diving expedition to witness the secret underwater world of Antarctica.
From elephant, leopard and crabeater seals hauled out on beaches to thriving colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins, the wildlife in this region is remarkable. When cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords, look out for humpback and minke whales, and while visiting old whaling stations seek out black-bellied storm petrels nesting in the ruins.
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.
100% carbon neutral, the Sylvia Earle operates with low energy consumption, high fuel-efficiency and a streamlined design to deliver a reduction in emissions. The ship can also utilise virtual anchoring to hold its position using a combination of GPS, steering technology, propellers and thrusters. This protects the sea floor and minimises the damage caused by conventional anchors.
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.
Send us an enquiry
Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15/01/25 | 27/01/25 | 12 days | £10,650pp | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
06/02/25 | 18/02/25 | 12 days | £10,650pp | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
16/02/25 | 28/02/25 | 12 days | £10,095pp | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
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