Antarctica yacht charters

Antarctic peninsula 69°30’S, 65°00’W

Home/
Expeditions/
Antarctica private yacht charters

Guests on zodiac in Antarctica Secret Atlas

Break down the borders of the known, the normal, and the everyday on an Antarctica yacht charter.

The Antarctica yacht charter experience

With your hand-picked 'crew' of family, friends, or colleagues by your side, live your adventure daydreams on an Antarctica yacht charter.

With our expedition-planning experience, a superstar expedition team, and a private expedition yacht at your disposal, chart a course to the great unexplored continent, taking in the glacier-crowned cliffs of the Antarctic Peninsula, the iceberg-strewn bays of the South Shetlands, and Antarctica’s famous wildlife – from penguins to whales, orcas, and seals.

Antarctica is a land without limits, and an Antarctica yacht charter gives you the rare opportunity to explore it in your own way, plotting your route and creating your own itinerary of activities, including hiking, whale watching, Zodiac cruises, and more.

Jenni Teron Virgil Reglioni Chase Teron Giancarlo Gallinoro

Where we explore

Lemaire Channel

A narrow waterway, framed on either side by towering cliffs, littered with spectacular icebergs, nicknamed 'Kodak Valley' for its photogenic nature.

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, including whales.

Deception Island

Ring-shaped island in the South Shetlands, formed by a sunken volcanic caldera, where a huge colony of chinstrap penguins live near Baily Head. Abandoned whaling boats sit half-submerged in volcanic skree within the interior natural harbour. Hot springs invite bathers who want to do a polar plunge the easy way.

Half moon bay, South Shetland Islands harbor view with Deschampsia antarctica hair grass vascular plants

Half Moon Island

Noted for its bay, the penguins and a population of jousting young fur seals, landing on this island in the South Shetlands is a highlight of many explorations of Antarctica.

Adelie penguin in Antarctica surrounded by snow and ice.

Brown Bluff

A stunning 'tuya', a volcano flattened when erupting into a glacier, home to over 20,000 pairs of Adélie penguins.

Gerlache Strait

A scenic body of water separating the peninsula and Anvers Island, known for its turquoise blue icebergs, humpback whales, and the dramatic cliffs along the narrow Neumayer Channel.

Yachts for charter in Antarctica

Choose the ship to match your adventure.

Our fleet of ice-strengthened, go-anywhere vessels are ideal for exploring Antarctica. High-performance, low-impact, and kitted out with all the home comforts you might need, we sail expedition-style ships that get you closer to nature.

Hanse Explorer

MV Hanse Explorer is a uniquely robust and luxurious yacht, equipped with top-of-the-line features for safe expeditions to remote locations.

See Ship

12 Guests

MV hanse explorer in front of mountain with Secret Atlas

Interior

Exterior

Sitting lounge on deck onboard MV Hanse Explorer

Whirlpool on deck onboard MV Hanse Explorer

Owner’s Suite

Large adjoining private lounge/study
Large windows
Private ensuite facility

Deck Upper

45M²

2 Guests

Guest cabins

Double or twin beds
Private ensuite facility
Large window

Deck Main

17M²

2 Guests

Deck

Films

Looking to explore the world with friends, family, or colleagues?

Plan a private charter with us.

TALK TO US

Why Secret Atlas?

Meet Secret Atlas

Because we’re explorers, delivering expeditions for explorers like you.

We’re fuelled by the long-lost spirit of adventure, guided by environmental and cultural responsibility, and committed to creating transformative travel experiences.

We’re pioneers of the Expedition Micro Cruise, offering the smallest group sizes at both poles. That means a flexible itinerary. It means more time exploring and photographing. It means a deeper connection with your team and the natural world.

We understand that, out here, less is more. Less waiting to board Zodiacs, more time ashore. Less strict itineraries, more adventure. Less crowd, more immersion.

That’s why we’re not just small. We’re micro.

Antarctica yacht charter FAQs

When is the best time of year to take an Antarctica yacht charter?

The cruise season in Antarctica 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 and 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 during an Antarctica private expedition.

December has the longest hours and warmest temperatures for visiting the 7th continent. It’s a time when wildlife is particularly active.

January is a popular month for Antarctica yacht charters. There are plenty of penguin chicks, it’s a great month for seeing seals and whales, and there is nearly 24 hours of daylight. The sea ice also 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. Many penguin chicks are still ashore, molting their furry down coats that will soon become adult plumage, enabling them to take to the water for feeding.

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 fledged.

Are there any additional costs I should be aware of when chartering a yacht to Antarctica?

Our Antarctica yacht charters are offered on an all-inclusive basis. All meals are included on Secret Atlas private charters, freshly cooked each day by our superb chefs. Safety equipment, fuel, guides, and crew are all included in the price.

Additional fees for activities such as museum visits are not included. Nor are tips for the crew or flights to and from the embarkation/disembarkation point for your Antarctica private yacht charter.

What’s the best type of ship to charter to get the most out of an Antarctica yacht charter?

Our fleet of ice-breaking expedition-style ships are perfect for adventures in Antarctica. They can explore the bays of the South Shetland islands and go deep into the channels of the Antarctic Peninsula.

They are agile, go-anywhere ships designed for ultimate safety in the remotest environments on Earth.