Antarctica cruises
Antarctic Peninsula
69°30’S, 65°00’W
Journey to the far reaches of our planet on an Antarctica cruise.
Why you should join an Antarctica cruise
Antarctica, the Frozen Continent, is a destination for the explorer in each one of us. This is an elemental place – where polar winds whip, elephant seals roar, and unexplored glaciers calve into the sea with an almighty crash. There is no permanent human population. An Antarctica cruise is about as far from the modern world as you can get without falling off the edge.
Alongside power and mystery, there is great beauty here. Icebergs of shimmering blue rise up before you, sculpted by Mother Nature’s artistic genius. And whilst no humans live here, penguins do. Gentoos, Adélies, and chinstraps breed here in vast numbers. Meeting them in their natural habitat is a highlight of all our small ship Antarctica cruises.
/maps-with-lines/antarctica-map-with-line-expedition-destinations-secret-atlas.png)
Wildlife
Among Antarctica’s most famous inhabitants are the large populations of penguins that call the frozen paradise their home. We explore many known penguin rookeries during our Antarctica expedition cruises, seeing gentoos, Adélies, and chinstrap penguins in great numbers as they brood eggs and feed chicks..
In the water and on the ice, we frequently sight leopard, elephant, crabeater, and Weddell seals. And keep your eyes on the sea to spot whales and orcas swimming alongside our ship and Zodiac boats.
Places of interest
Drake Passage
The stretch of water between South America and the South Shetlands, the Drake Passage can be choppy and unpredictable, but at the convergence point between the sub-Antarctic and the Antarctic waters, it is rich in krill and therefore marine life. Vast numbers of humpback whales have been observed here recently.
Deception Island
Ring-shaped island in the South Shetlands, formed by a sunken volcanic caldera, where a huge, 100,000-strong colony of chinstrap penguins breed nearby at Baily Head, a stunning promontory on the outside of the island.
Once inside the deceptively sequestered entrance to the natural harbour, calm beaches greet curious travellers. Whaling boats sit half-submerged on the dark beaches, filled by volcanic skree. Hot springs just off the landing site invite those who want to do the 'Polar Plunge' the easy way.
Half Moon Island
Noted for its beautiful bay filled with elephant seals, Weddel Seals, and chinstrap and gentoo penguins, as well as the jousting antics of youthful fur seals. Landing on this island in the South Shetlands is a highlight of many Expedition Micro Cruises to Antarctica.
Brown Bluff
A stunning 'tuya', a volcano flattened when erupting into a glacier, home to over 20,000 pairs of Adélie penguins.
Antarctic Sound
Glaciated mountains and tabular icebergs mark out this scenic stretch of water. Transit through this remarkable waterway, taking in the scenery, the pack ice, and the magnificent whales that frequent the area.
Port Lockroy
A natural harbour with a dramatic mountainous backdrop on Wiencke Island, famous for its post office (the most southerly operational post office on Earth) and a population of nesting blue-eyed shags. Penguins reside on half the island; however, visitors are welcome at the post office, where over 70,000 pieces of mail get posted annually.
Gerlache Strait
A scenic body of water separating the peninsula and Anvers Island, known for its turquoise blue icebergs, humpback whales, and dramatic cliffs. Nearby Neumayer Channel beckons ships to behold the radiant glaciers that frost its sharp, dark cliffs.
Lemaire Channel
A narrow oceanic channel, framed on either side by towering cliffs, littered with spectacular icebergs. Nicknamed 'Kodak Valley' for its photogenic nature, for some, this transit is the highlight of their voyage.
Neko Harbour
A protected bay where colonies of gentoo penguins fill the cliffs.
Cuverville Island
A pleasant landing site for expedition ships to call, where gentoo penguins nest on rocks. Scenic, grounded icebergs speckle the bay that attracts cetaceans, such as friendly minke and southern right whales.
Paradise Bay
This wide bay comes by its name honestly: it is one of the most spectacular areas in all of Antarctica. When waters are calm, they mirror the spiked cliffs blanketed with thick ice and glaciers filled with deep azure caverns.
History
Although Captain James Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle and came within 80 km of Antarctica in 1773, he never sighted land.
The honour of the first recorded discovery of the continent instead went to the crew of two Russian ships – Vostok and Mirnyi – under the command of Captain Fabien Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820.
Since then, Antarctica has been central to the history of exploration and human endeavour, with Cook, Ross, Scott, Shackleton, Mawson, Bellingshausen, Palmer, and Amundsen among the respected names to have ventured along the Antarctic Peninsula and deep into the southernmost continent.
2026/27 Antarctica cruises coming soon
Sign up here and be the first to know
The Expedition Micro Cruise concept
Watch
When to take your Antarctica cruise
The Antarctica cruise season runs from November until the end of March. Outside of this period, there are no cruises to Antarctica due to the harsh weather and ice conditions.
November is springtime in Antarctica. Penguins are courting, with their distinctive, repetitive calls and dance moves, and some early chicks begin to hatch. As the month goes on, the days get longer. There are fewer visitors in the early season, making it a fantastic time for uninterrupted landscape photography.
December has the longest hours and warmest temperatures for visiting the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s a time when wildlife is particularly active: penguin courtship and nest building is in full swing, seals are easily seen on land and on rafts of ice, and whales are plentiful.
January is a popular month for Antarctica expedition cruises. There are plenty of penguin chicks, it’s a great month for seeing seals and whales, and more daylight hours make spotting wildlife an around-the-clock possibility.
Skuas and giant petrels soar above the penguin colonies looking to predate upon a hapless penguin chick or unguarded egg. The sea ice breaks up further, making more places accessible.
The animal activity and good conditions continue into February, the month when sea ice is usually at its lowest. Penguins begin to molt heavily at this time. It is possible to view downy chicks losing their warm sheath in favour of striking adult plumage.
In March, as autumn gets underway, the nights get darker and the temperatures get colder. It's a good month to spot whales and seals, although many of the penguin chicks will be gone.
Private charters
Looking to explore the world with friends, family, or colleagues?
Plan a private charter with us.
Explorer's Handbook
Everything you need to know to help you plan your Antarctica expedition, from destination guides to weather insights and what to pack…
Animals in Antarctica | What Animals Call the Antarctic Home?
Animals in Antarctica | What Animals Call the Antarctic Home?
Antarctica Travel Guide
Antarctica Travel Guide
50 Interesting Antarctica Facts
50 Interesting Antarctica Facts
What to Pack for Antarctica and South Georgia
What to Pack for Antarctica and South Georgia
Best Time to Visit Antarctica
Best Time to Visit Antarctica
Antarctica cruise FAQs
How long does an Antarctica cruise usually last?
Depending on the itinerary, most Expedition Micro Cruises to Antarctica last between 10 and 20 days.
What kind of wildlife will I see on an Antarctica cruise?
Antarctica is an untamed continent, a true wilderness. As such, we encounter a wide but ever-changing variety of wildlife on our Antarctica small ship cruises.
On previous small ship Antarctica cruises, we have seen penguins (Adélie, chinstrap, gentoo, and emperor, depending on your route), seals (Weddell, leopard, elephant, crabeater), various whale species (humpback, minke, blue, southern right whales, and orcas). Seabirds, like albatrosses and petrels, are also commonly sighted.
How cold will it be?
Temperatures vary, of course, but are generally warmer than many visitors expect. During the Antarctica cruise season, temperatures range between 5°C to -10°C (41°F to 14°F) on the Antarctic Peninsula. However, wind chill can make it feel significantly colder, especially on deck or during land excursions.
We’ll send you a packing list ahead of your cruise to ensure you have the best small ship Antarctica cruise experience possible.
Brochure
Join the Secret Atlas newsletter
We will be exclusively sharing with you our best-kept secrets. You'll receive first-hand expert advice and inspiring stories from our team of explorers, plus our latest news and offers.
We'll send no more than two emails per week. By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy.