Experience Antarctica

Antarctica is among the most beautiful, pristine and least explored places on the planet. Truly exhilarating, mysterious and alluring! Discover this extreme destination with an Antarctic voyage and enjoy the unrivalled views of multi-coloured ice caps, glaciers and pristine wilderness. This largely untouched wilderness is more accessible to a new generation of intrepid explorers.

 

Antarctica Cruise Map

Your Antarctic adventure start here

Where do I start my journey to Antarctica?

You will most probably start your Antarctic journey in Ushuaia, Argentina. Ushuaia is known as the southernmost city in the world and is the main cruise port for the Falkland Islands, Antarctica as well as cruises in South America. From here you can visit the Antarctic Peninsula and sub Antarctic islands like South Georgia or Falkland Islands.

The other option is to depart from Punta Arenas, Chile. Here you may fly to South Shetland Islands then board your vessel. Albeit more expensive, this is a great alternative for those who want to avoid the rough seas of the infamous Drake Passage and to maximise their time in Antarctica.

How do I get there?

From Australia the cheapest and most popular way to get to Antarctica is to fly to South America. QANTAS, LATAM and Air New Zealand can fly you from the eastern coast of Australia then catch your connecting flights to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. If you’re flying from Perth the most efficient way to get to South America is to fly to Melbourne then onwards to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas

When to Visit Antarctica

Antarctic wildlife is at its most active during the southern summer. The beauty and solitude of Antarctic seas and mountains conceals the frantic activity of the shoreline colonies of birds and mammals

Nov – Dec (Spring)
After the winter darkness, spring fever hits Antarctica and the sun causes an explosive growth of phytoplankton in areas of mineral upwelling. The phytoplankton provides food to the astronomic swarms of zooplankton, including krill. Krill forms the base of the food chain for squid, fish and ultimately for seabirds, seals and whales, which flock in to fatten themselves and to produce their young.

Jan- Feb
In the warmer months of January and February wildlife activities are in full swing, therefore this is best time to visit Antarctica. Most penguin chicks hatch in January, earliest in the South Shetland Islands and later more to the south at the Peninsula. The frantic activity continues in the colonies in February as the young get older and bolder and are gathering in crèches.

Mar
Nightly darkness returns as the sun sinks farther below the southern horizon, but temperatures are still above zero, though we may experience a touch of Antarctic winter with night frosts, creating beautiful patterns of thin sea ice on the surface. The snow cover is at its minimum allowing for easy and extensive walks in the South Shetland Islands.

How to choose best Antarctic ship

Now more than ever, Antarctica is more accessible thanks to a variety of ships and itineraries available.  But how do you distinguish between the Antarctic vessels? Here’s a brief guide to a selection of the available Antarctic cruising styles.

Expedition ships

  • The bread and butter polar exploration ideal for clients who prioritise land based experiences and less on accommodation or ship amenities
  • Tend to carry smaller groups thus can offer two off-the-ship excursions
  • Generally emphasise the destination and off-ship or shore experiences

Luxury ships

  • Often have five-star amenities including spacious public areas and lounges, refined gastronomy and private balconies in select cabin types
  • Greater emphasis on luxury on board facilities and accommodation while still providing the Antarctic experience
  •  Are often custom built and tend to have more modern features

Expedition Luxury ships

  • The best of both worlds. Some are smaller ships that carry around 100 passengers while others are larger vessels roughly 200 passengers
  • Some vessels have larger cabins or ships are newer compared to an expedition ship
  • Meals may be buffet style while others offer a la carte dining

Other important information
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) set a limit on the number of passenger landings in Antarctica. Only 100 passengers can land at any one time. So a ship with 100 passengers or less can land the entire ship. Vessels with more than 100 passengers may split their groups and rotate shore landings which can impact passengers’ experience.

I have questions about tours in Antarctica can you help me?

Absolutely, contact us and we will walk you through the whole process from deciding the right cruise for you to supporting you during your trip and every step in between. We are here to answer questions that you may have and can help organise flights and offer extra sightseeing activities that may interest you.

Areas to visit in Antarctica

Where to go in Antarctica

From South America, it takes less than two days’ sailing, or two hours’ flying, to enter a world that fills the heart, overloads the senses and imprints your memory forever.

The Antarctic Peninsula’s west coast offers ice-clad peaks towering over a maze of protected channels; the east coast a vast icecap and strange, fossil-rich islands. From spring to fall, this stunning landscape becomes furious with life as penguins, seals, petrels, and whales arrive to feed and breed. Follow in Shackleton’s wake along the Scotia Arc, from Elephant Island to South Georgia to discover a wildlife oasis like no other.

Whether you attempt to sail south of the Antarctic Circle, be awed by tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea or trek across the interior of South Georgia, Antarctica and South Georgia offer the best of adventures and wildlife encounters.

Visit Antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula

A popular introduction to the least travelled continent in the world is the ‘Classic Antarctica’ cruise. This tour offers the scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula including seeing a diverse range of wildlife set in the breathtaking scenery of snow capped mountains, stunning glaciers, and icy channels.
  • Ranging from 9 to 11 Days
Antarctic Peninsula-More....
Visit Antarctica Wildlife

Antarctica, South Georgia, & Falkland Islands

Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers like Ernest Shackleton discovering the history and inhabitants of this great white continent. South Georgia is rich with wildlife offering close-up encounters with King Penguins and the unique terrains of the Falkland Islands offer spectacular hiking treks.
  • Ranging from 17 to 20 Days
Sth Georgia & Falkland Isl - More..
Visit Antarctica Sea Animals

Antarctic Circle

The Antarctic Circle is the southernmost point only experienced by a select few travellers. Cruise through the icy waters of this pristine paradise to see orcas, seals, whales and colonies of penguins framed by towering ice bergs and crystal -like glaciers.
  • Ranging from 12 to 14 Days
Antarctic Circle - More....
Antarctica Scenery from your Cruise

Weddell Sea

Experience a true polar expedition as you cruise the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and the stunning South Shetland Islands which are almost completely covered in ice. The Weddell Sea is said to be the clearest sea in the Antarctic, home to an abundance of whales and seals as well as colonies of Adelie penguins
  • Ranging from 11 to 12 Days
Weddell Sea - More....
Canoe Antarctica

Experiences & Alternative Activities

Make your Antarctic experience even more memorable by experiencing some 'hands on' activities. These optional activities are a great way to break your stay on board and are sometimes included in your program.
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Camping on the Ice
  • Hiking
  • Photography
Experiences & Alternative Activities
Antarctica Expeditions

Fly / Cruise Voyages

For those with limited time, flying over the legendary waters of the Drake Passage is the perfect way to experience the vast land of Antarctica. By starting and ending your journey in Punta Arenas, you will spend more time exploring the awe inspiring landscape and experiencing close encounters with wildlife.
  • Ranging from 6 to 8 Days
Sample Itinerary

Antarctic Cruise Ships

Expedition vs Luxury: How to choose best Antarctic ship

Now more than ever, Antarctica is more accessible thanks to a variety of ships and itineraries available.  But how do you distinguish between the Antarctic vessels? Here’s a brief guide to a selection of the available Antarctic cruising styles.

Expedition ships

  • The bread and butter polar exploration ideal for clients who prioritise land based experiences and less on accommodation or ship amenities
  • Tend to carry smaller groups thus can offer two off-the-ship excursions
  • Generally emphasise the destination and off-ship or shore experiences

Luxury ships

  • Often have five-star amenities including spacious public areas and lounges, refined gastronomy and private balconies in select cabin types
  • Greater emphasis on luxury on board facilities and accommodation while still providing the Antarctic experience
  •  Are often custom built and tend to have more modern features

Expedition Luxury ships

  • The best of both worlds. Some are smaller ships that carry around 100 passengers while others are larger vessels roughly 200 passengers
  • Some vessels have larger cabins or ships are newer compared to an expedition ship
  • Meals may be buffet style while others offer a la carte dining

Other important information
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) set a limit on the number of passenger landings in Antarctica. Only 100 passengers can land at any one time. So a ship with 100 passengers or less can land the entire ship. Vessels with more than 100 passengers may split their groups and rotate shore landings which can impact passengers’ experience.

Flying over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage and cruise.

For those who have restricted time, our fly and cruise options may suit you to maximise your time at Antarctica, avoiding one leg of the Drake Passage or both.  These would have you flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island on the northern tip of the Peninsula, and then sailing back (or vice versa). Other itineraries would have you fly one way from Falkland Islands to Punta Arenas (or vice versa). This option basically give you more time to enjoy on the ice.

We also have a fly both ways option, which avoids the Drake Passage altogether, ideally suited for those who do not travel well on cruises

Get in touch today,
we’d love to talk to you.

phone icon

Call us: 1300 857 805

We have friendly travel specialists who are waiting to help you.

Contact us
email icon

Send an Enquiry

Questions on Antarctica cruises?
Simply fill out the form.

Send an enquiry
brochure icon

Request a Brochure

Get our latest brochures & start planning your next Antarctica holiday.

Request a brochure

Antarctic Travel Inspiration

The agents were brilliant. I couldn’t find any fault with the cars, transfers, guides, drivers, programs. Everything was fantastic!