Antarctic Voyages
The Antarctic, particularly the peninsula or ‘White Continent’ has an incomparable and irresistible beauty. This magical frozen land with its awe-inspiring glaciers and rich diversity of bird and wildlife resonates with the history of intrepid explorers and epic struggles for survival. We offer a range of voyages on icebreakers and expedition ships that is continually changing, so if you cannot find exactly what you want here we will happily make suggestions for places and optional activities to suit your requirements.
Most of our voyages depart from Ushuaia at the southern tip of South America and cross the Drake Passage, spending several days visiting the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This is a spectacular chain of mountains and glaciers and is the richest part of Antarctica for wildlife. The waters are sheltered by islands, which makes for comfortable sailing and easy landings. Some of these voyages also visit South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
More adventurous voyages head for the Ross Sea, sometimes called ‘The Far Side of Antarctica’, on an icebreaker to visit emperor penguin colonies and Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts. Because some of the vessels are comparatively small, early booking is recommended.
The descriptions in the following itineraries are a guideline only, since the routes taken and the landings made will be dependent on ice and weather conditions. We are happy to supply you with more detailed descriptions, day-by-day itineraries and reports of similar voyages in previous years on request.
Where activities are available on certain voyages they are shown here. These are optional, for which a supplement is usually payable.
Should you wish, we have plenty of ideas for extending your trip to include a stay in South America for an exciting (or relaxing!) prelude or finale to your voyage.
New for 2024-2025 and beyond to 2026
Many voyages are subject to early booking offers and increases in global fuel prices which vary from ship to ship, are time sensitive and can change without warning. Brochure prices may therefore be different from those on the website. Rest assured we will always offer you the best price available at the time of your enquiry. Please contact us to find out more.
- Join Plancius’ South Georgia Explorer voyage in November 2025. Six days spent in and around the island
- Luxury hybrid icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot cuts through thick ice to reach Snow Hill Island itself – three voyages October – December 2025. Ask for details
- Ortelius and her helicopter is back for Weddell Sea in Search of Emperors at Snow Hill Island in November 2024 and 2025
- Travel beyond the Polar Circle to Wilkins Ice Shelf on Ortelius in March/April 2025
- Travel In the Wake of Scott and Shackleton in luxury as Heritage Adventurer sails to the Ross Sea in January/February 2025
- Try SH Vega’s 20 night South Atlantic Semi-Circumnavigation from Ushuaia to Capetown via South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha in mid March 2026
- Ortelius has Polar Circle Deep South Discovery voyage 8- 23 March 2025
- Ultramarine offers Essential Patagonia – Chilean Fjords and Torres Del Paine in March 2025 and 2026
- Calling all birders to Heritage Adventurer‘s Western Pacific Odyssey from New Zealand to Japan via the Bonin Islands in March 2025
- Treat yourself to this 44 day trip of a life time – Atlantic Odyssey on Hondius and Plancius from the depths of Antarctica to the Cape Verde Islands – March/April 2025 & 2026
- Seaventure has new All Access voyages with free adventure options including kayaking and camping November and December 2024 and 2025 with ten nights on board
- Why not join Sylvia Earle on her Antarctic Explorer Featuring the Chilean Fjords – with thrilling Cape Horn in February / March 2025
- Ortelius’ 32 day adventurous Remote Weddell Sea Explorer expedition includes South Georgia, Neuschwabenland,Vahsel Bay, Larsen Ice Shelf, Paulet and Devil Islands and Elephant Island – February/March 2025 and two voyages January/February 2026
Map
Travel Tips
Comments
Fiona’s travel tips
READ: Captain Scott by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and South by Sir Ernest Shackleton.
LET US KNOW: If you have a former connection with any of the polar regions we visit by ship. Perhaps you or a relative lived on one of the bases, or were a member of a past expedition? We can offer you the chance to share your experiences, diaries or photographs with others on your voyage. In the past we’ve even got the ship to make unscheduled visits to tie in with such an event.
MY BEST MEMORY: Leopard seals circling and diving under our zodiac while hunting penguins.
TOP TIPS: Dress in layers – you will need them.
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Far Frontiers Travel
Our sister company, Far Frontiers Travel, specialises in tailor-making bespoke travel to Central Asia, China and Mongolia, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas, Indochina, Myanmar, Middle East, North Africa and Europe, Russia and South America.
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Clients’ comments
“Our trip was very well organised from beginning to end. Fiona clearly knows how the ship works and so we had the best holiday experience ever!”
Jenny Kaye-Blake, Crossing the Circle, Antarctica
“Pre-departure information about the journey, information on what we need to pack and the ship was excellent. Vehicles were all very clean and comfortable and the drivers excellent.The cruise itinerary is obviously dictated by conditions and distances but we would have liked to have a full day in Stanley – otherwise I would say all was perfect. A favourite aspect can hardly be separated from everything to do with icebergs and wildlife! Least favourite was definitely the Patagonian toothfish!”
Penelope Lyons, Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula
“We had a fabulous holiday, the scenery and wildlife were fantastic. I think I can now recognise all the different penguin and seal species! The ship and the crew were very good, no problems. Thank you for organising the holiday for us, and I’d have no hesitation in recommending you for any future trips.”
Mr and Mrs Glen Anderson, Antarctic voyage
“The holiday was great and met all my expectations – all the connections worked like clockwork. The cruise was fantastic and we landed on all except the South Orkneys which were ice bound. Food was very good and plenty of it – Iguazu was really good and connections etc worked well – the room was fantastic with Falls view as specified – at the end of the day it was good to relax by the pool and enjoy the Bacardi and coke as you do. Thanks for organising the trip it was one in a lifetime.”
Allen Cooper, The Falklands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, Antarctic Peninsula discovery cruise
“As you know, I have waited 60 years for this and the whole Plancius experience on the exact centenary of Scott’s last expedition was just magical. Absolutely brilliant.”
John Sharples, Antarctic Peninsula
“In December 2012 I was able to fulfil my dream of setting foot on Antarctica despite my age (83 and eight months) and disability. Thanks to Fiona’s meticulous planning and the resulting support of guides and the Plancius crew at every step en-route and on the boat, I was able to travel there and back alone, and to enjoy shore landings and zodiac rides. A truly stunning experience. I realise how blessed I was to have so much encouragement and help both from Fiona and the expedition team.”
Dr Grete Gross, Antarctic Peninsula voyage
“It was a fascinating voyage with lasting impressions. The wildlife both on the Falklands and on Antarctica is incredibly rich. The organisation on board the ship was very good. Among the talks given by the scientific crew I enjoyed the witty talks by Robert Headland the most. The familiar atmosphere in the lodges on Sea Lion Island and on Carcass Island was very nice indeed. Last but not least I should like to thank you for the impeccable organisation on your part.”
Mr Hubert Kalf, Epic Antarctica icebreaker voyage
“Most helpful, informative, and friendly service at all stages. Absolutely spectacular trip which exceeded my already high expectations. Brilliant value for money, notwithstanding the high cost. It says it all that I was looking at your brochure for a future trip, as soon as I got back!”
Judith Philip, Antarctic Peninsula