The Antarctica Explorer

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship.

Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.

Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, Ocean Victory/Albatros, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines, and a highly qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider the Drake Passage a lifetime achievement – and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first sight of seals, penguins, and albatrosses. Having crossed the Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled at the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

With the unique X-BOW design, the Ocean Albatros will offer you smoother sailing across the Drake passage than conventional expedition vessels – and with far less carbon emission. Due to the speed of the vessel, we might be able to do a first landing or activity in the South Shetland Islands on the afternoon of day 3, weather permitting.

As our ship approaches the sparkling white expanse of Antarctica, the anticipation builds. The air is electric with the excitement of what awaits us. And as we draw closer, the sheer abundance of wildlife is staggering. We're surrounded by tens of thousands of lively penguins, curious seals, nesting birds, and the majestic spray of marine mammals.

Our adventure truly begins on the Antarctic Peninsula, where we'll encounter an array of fascinating creatures. From leopard, fur, and Weddell seals on Cuverville Island to the humpback whales of Gerlache Strait and Paradise Bay, and the dramatic orcas of the Lemaire Channel - this is a wildlife lover's paradise. We may even venture as far south as the Antarctic Circle, exploring seldom-visited areas like Pleneau and Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound, and Detaille Island.

Another highlight of our journey could lie in the Weddell Sea, where navigating through the massive icebergs and sea ice is a true test of skill and determination. Here, we'll witness the sheer magnitude of this remote wilderness, where the only inhabitants are Weddell and elephant seals, seabirds, and penguins - including some of the largest colonies ever seen.

Our itinerary is flexible, and we'll adapt our plans based on the weather, swell, and ice conditions. But one thing is for sure - we're in for the full Antarctic experience. And as our journey draws to a close, we may even follow in the footsteps of the great explorer Shackleton, navigating to Elephant Island, home to the mighty elephant seals, and the site where Shackleton and his team waited for rescue.

So all aboard are ensured a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, where every day is full of wonder and discovery. With no set itinerary, our staff will work tirelessly to create the most unforgettable experience for all onboard. This is the Antarctica Explorer, and you won't want to miss it.

We depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En-route, we will cross Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America.

During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers equally passionate for discovering the world, enjoy the lectures by our expedition team on board, visit our shop, unwind in the spa or enjoy the ship’s facilities designed to provide a comfortable relaxing time.

This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our expedition cruise, where you can continue your adventures or begin your return home.