Antarctica

Set foot on lands that few have ever seen, including glacial peaks and the otherworldly shores of the White Continent.

Navigating amid electric blue ice formations to a rocky shore where mountains clad in blindingly white snow rise into the clouds, you’ll feel as if you’re on another planet. Whether you’re hiking a massive glacier alongside a colony of gentoo penguins or watching a humpback whale breach the surface just feet away on a Zodiac safari, there will be moments when the ethereal beauty of the Antarctic takes your breath away.

Regions of Antarctica

Join the few intrepid explorers who have set foot on Antarctica by exploring the surreal shores of its northern peninsula and surrounding islands, where a vast expanse of glaciers and snow blankets mountainous peaks in a sea of icebergs. A remarkable array of wildlife welcomes you to this far-flung polar region, including penguin rookeries, migrating whales, several species of seals and rare birdlife.

The powerful currents flowing between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula offer a challenge for any navigator, making a journey to the Seventh Continent all the more rewarding for those who choose an expedition that sails across the Drake Passage. Sometimes raucous and sometimes surprisingly tranquil, these waters attract wildlife such as albatross, petrels, humpback whales and hourglass dolphins to accompany you along the way.

Northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula, millions of penguins and other seabirds migrate to South Georgia to breed. Its sweeping tussock grass and rugged cliffs are home to regal king penguins, alongside vast colonies of gentoo and macaroni penguins. Fur seals, elephant seals, and other wildlife crowd the shores, creating one of the planet’s most astonishing concentrations of life. Offshore, you may even spot a mighty blue whale, the largest animal in the world.

Isolated in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands offer a striking introduction to the subpolar world, where rolling green hills, windswept shores and cliff-lined coasts support extraordinary wildlife. Shore landings at Port Stanley, Saunders Island, Carcass Island and West Point Island reveal vast penguin colonies, nesting albatross and abundant seabirds, alongside traces of a proud maritime past shaped by exploration, resilience and a distinctly British island culture.

Pre- and Post-Expedition Experiences

All Antarctica expeditions include free private charter air service. When an itinerary sails across the Drake Passage, charter air service is provided between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, where the expedition embarks and/or disembarks. When an itinerary flies over the Drake Passage, charter air is provided between Punta Arenas and King George Island, where the expedition embarks and/or disembarks. Private group transfers between the airport and yacht are included as well to ensure a seamless travel experience. Our travel team can also assist in booking airfare between Buenos Aires or Punta Arenas and your home airport for an additional charge.

All Antarctica expeditions include a free 1-night pre-expedition hotel stay. Select voyages include a free 1-night post-expedition hotel stay as well. Our travel team can assist in booking additional hotel nights for those who wish to extend their expedition even further.

An Atlas Immersive Experience is included with our compliments on all of our expeditions. For those exploring Antarctica, this cultural immersion is offered prior to sailing or flying across the Drake Passage. You might enjoy an authentic Chilean asado of grilled lamb and a traditional dance performance at a local restaurant in Punta Arenas, or a journey through the majestic beauty of Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia.

If you wish to explore even farther before or after your expedition, we are pleased to offer the following pre- and post-expedition land programs. Our travel team can also assist you in crafting a custom land program.

Our Partners

Join us in partnership with ORCA as a Citizen Scientist aboard our 2023/2024 Antarctica expeditions on World Navigator®. ORCA is a whale and dolphin conservation charity that works around the world with the mission of protecting the ocean through this special and exciting program.

The Global Penguin Society’s clever acronym, GPS, provides a little hint at what they do. On select expeditions, join a GPS conservationist aboard an Antarctica expedition as they engage you with talks about tracking, monitoring, and informing vital conservation efforts for ensuring the future of the world’s penguin populations. Working in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Network – an organization that supports conservationists who ensure wildlife and people coexist and thrive – GPS’s mission is to protect all 18 species and their ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere by generating sound science, management guidelines and education.

Expedition Experience: Polar

In Antarctic regions where few humans have set foot, the only way to explore is on a polar-class vessel equipped with Zodiac boats and staffed with expert expedition leaders who provide daily briefings on board and guide adventures ashore. These essential experiences are included with our compliments on all Polar Expeditions to Antarctica, as are private charter jet service and a pre-cruise hotel stay to ensure you travel to this remote destination with ease. Optional kayaking excursions provide a different perspective on the surrounding seascapes and rare wildlife for an additional charge.