Prepare to witness the most unspoiled, sublime terrain on Earth — and to cross another continent off your bucket list. In the history of humankind, only a tiny handful of people have ever set foot on Antarctica and now you’re one of them.
Since you’ll explore during the austral summer, the most temperate time of year, you’ll enjoy daily landings to venture ashore via versatile Zodiac boats and daily scenic cruisings which can be viewed best from the deck. As always, weather and ice conditions will dictate our schedule and locations for exploration.
During landings, you’ll break into small groups alongside your Expedition Team. Once on shore, they’ll survey conditions and offer guided hikes, walks, talks, and helpful information, about the region and its wildlife. You can look forward to encountering penguin rookeries, floating icebergs, paradisiacal bays and quiet, wildlife-rich sounds, international research bases, and even an active caldera!
While not an exhaustive list, possible landing sites we may explore include:
- Cuverville Island, almost fully covered in a permanent ice cap and home to delightful gentoo penguins
- Half Moon Island, a refuge for chinstrap penguins and a variety of seals
- Neko Harbor, a haven for minke and humpback whales with great glacier views
- Deception Island, a former whaling outpost with an active caldera
You’ll also have free time to explore on your own and take lots of photographs, using the knowledge you’ve gained from the Expedition Team’s lectures and your conversations with them to enhance your explorations.
While going ashore may seem more exciting and rewarding than cruising, you’ll be surprised. There’s so much to see in Antarctica, and cruising is oftentimes the best way to accomplish that, as the Ocean Explorer’s small size grants us more flexibility in where we navigate compared to other cruise lines. Look forward to getting up close to icebergs, spotting whales (humpback, mike, and orcas are most common in the austral summer), and other spontaneous and bucket-list experiences. If we’re lucky, we may witness humpback whales during a “bubble-net” feeding, in which a group of whales circles a school of fish and engages in a team effort to disorient and corral the fish into a “net” of bubbles.
You can also further enhance your expedition by joining the Expedition Team for optional polar kayaking. This is a popular option, so we encourage you to reserve your spot as early as possible.
Please note: Remember, daily life in Antarctica is determined by the elements, and we’ll adjust our landings as our adventure progresses in accordance with IAATO regulations.
Included Features:
- 5 landings led by the Expedition Team
- 5 sightseeing cruisings to various sites
Scenic Sailing:
- Every day in Antarctica includes a sailing component, and you’ll be able to see more of the continent’s landscape, as well as penguins or seals lounging on ice floes; mountains, glaciers, and other unique scenery; and icebergs in varying shapes and colors. Have a camera ready at all times!
Included Meals:
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners