Expedition Antarctica
Embarking on an Expedition Antarctica offers a journey to the farthest reaches of our planet. Oceanwide Expeditions invites travelers to experience a true Antarctica expedition, where icy landscapes, wildlife, and historic sites combine to create unforgettable experiences. Our Antarctica trips are designed to immerse guests in the Antarctic environment, blending expert-led activities with comfortable, purpose-built expedition ships.
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula
An Antarctica expedition cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula provides breathtaking views of glaciers, ice-choked fjords, and towering icebergs. Guests can observe colonies of penguins, including Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, and spot humpback whales in the surrounding waters. Our itineraries maximize landings using Zodiacs, allowing travelers to explore rugged terrain, sandy beaches, and iconic locations like Lemaire Channel. Expeditions frequently include stops in remote subantarctic islands for additional wildlife encounters and awe-inspiring scenery. These Antarctica trips offer authentic expedition experiences and are led by our expert expedition team.
South Georgia and the Falklands
Trips to Antarctica often include visits to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. South Georgia is home to massive king penguin colonies, elephant seals, and historic sites tied to polar explorers like Shackleton. The Falklands offer opportunities to see seabirds and penguin chicks in their natural habitats. Both destinations add a rich cultural and wildlife dimension to any Antarctica expedition, offering perspectives that cannot be experienced elsewhere. Travelers on these trips to Antarctica also enjoy the chance to learn about subantarctic islands and the ecology of these remote regions.
Antarctica cruises and the southern ocean
Oceanwide Expeditions specializes in small ship Antarctica cruises that provide authentic expedition experiences. Ice-strengthened vessels such as m/v Ortelius and m/v Plancius navigate the Southern Ocean, ensuring safety while reaching rarely visited locations. Guests can enjoy kayaking among icebergs, photographing whales, and walking across glaciers. Every Antarctica expedition cruise emphasizes education, with our expedition team offering insights into polar science, Antarctic history, and the fragile ecosystem of the white continent. These cruises to Antarctica provide the chance to experience the southern pole, visit base camps, and witness awe-inspiring ice formations.
Weddell Sea and polar circle adventures
For travelers seeking to reach the far south, a trip to the Weddell Sea offers awe-inspiring ice formations and the chance to see massive tabular icebergs. Expeditions to the Polar Circle allow guests to experience the extremes of the Antarctic environment and potentially follow in the footsteps of early polar explorers. These Antarctica expedition cruises provide opportunities to encounter Gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, elephant seals, and seabirds, all within a safe and well-organized framework.
Planning your Antarctic trip
Trips to Antarctica begin with careful planning. Transfers from Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, or Tierra del Fuego are arranged for a smooth start. Guests are advised to pack insulated outerwear, parkas, and sturdy footwear suitable for icy conditions. Small ship expeditions allow frequent landings and flexible itineraries, maximizing exploration and wildlife observation. Travelers can also explore the South Sandwich Islands, South Shetland Islands, and South Orkney Islands for a comprehensive Antarctic experience. Our Antarctica trips include the chance to kayak, take guided landings, and witness king penguins and penguin chicks in colonies rarely visited by travelers.
Adventure of a lifetime
An Antarctica expedition is more than a cruise; it is an adventure of a lifetime. Guests can witness colonies of penguins, iceberg-filled waters, and whale sightings in the Southern Ocean. Expeditions provide an unparalleled adventure and insight into the polar regions. For last-minute planners, Antarctica last minute deals offer opportunities to join an expedition without compromise. Whether this is your first Antarctic adventure or a return journey, Oceanwide Expeditions ensures a safe, educational, and awe-inspiring experience. These Antarctica trips also include the possibility of visiting remote sites like South Georgia or the Ross Sea for the full polar experience.
Take the first step toward your Antarctic adventure and explore our Antarctica cruise options today.
Cruises to Antarctica
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer incl. South Georgia - South Sandwich Islands - Neuschwabenland - Larsen Ice Shelf - Paulet and Devil Island - Elephant Island, incl. helicopters
22 Jan - 18 Feb, 2026
•Tripcode: OTL29a26
This adventurous expedition explores one of the least-visited areas on Earth, Antarctica’s amazing Weddell Sea. After visiting some of the same sites legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton’s charted in South Georgia, we’ll enjoy the Weddell’s exotic wildlife...
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
28 Jan - 16 Feb, 2026
•Tripcode: HDS28-26
This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
8 Jan - 18 Jan, 2026
•Tripcode: HDS26-26
This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
18 Jan - 28 Jan, 2026
•Tripcode: HDS27-26
This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
9 Jan - 19 Jan, 2026
•Tripcode: PLA26-26
This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
Antarctica cruise video
Latest blog and customer story
Your Expedition Guide to the Antarctic Peninsula
This expedition guide details everything you need to know about the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the most accessible parts of Antarctica, and the stage for some of our most immersive polar adventures.
Crossing, Kayaking, Camping: Three Antarctic Adventures
Crossing the Drake Passage rewards thousands of tourists every year with one of the most incredible paradises on planet Earth!
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Antarctica
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FAQ's about Antarctica cruises
What is the time zone in Antarctica?
The time zone in Antarctica is the same as the time zone in New Zealand: GMT + 12 hours. On regular Antarctic trips we operate in the same time zone as Ushuaia, Argentina: GMT – 3 hours.
Is it dangerous to visit Antarctica?
No, the remote location, frozen landscape, and unpredictable weather can make tourism operations in Antarctica tricky, but Oceanwide Expeditions has the right experience, knowledge, and expertise to stay safe in the Antarctic.
What is the climate at Antarctica?
Antarctica is the coldest and also the windiest continent in the world. The lowest temperature on Earth was recorded in Antarctica. There are three climatic regions in Antarctica:
The interior of the continent: This is the extremely cold area of Antarctica. The coastal areas: These areas have milder temperatures and much higher precipitation rates. The Antarctic Peninsula: This is the region which has a warmer and also wetter climate; above freezing temperatures are common in the summer months.During the summer months temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula range between -2°C - +5 °C. In the Ross Sea it can get significantly colder with temperatures down to -20°C.
What is the Antarctic landscape like?
Antarctica consists of two main areas. East Antarctica (Greater Antarctica) and West Antarctica (Antarctic Peninsula). More than 98% of Antarctica is covered with ice. The land is covered with ice and snow. Antarctica’s two parts are separated by the Transarctic Mountains. Furthermore, There are at least two active volcanoes in Antarctica, Mount Erebus (3,794 m/12,448 ft) is the highest and has a permanent molten lava lake. The other is on Deception Island, situated just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, a popular stop-off for tourist ships where it is possible to have a warm bath in the volcanically warmed waters while being surrounded by Antarctic ice and penguins.
What kinds of plants and animals are there in Antarctica?
The vegetation at Antarctica is limited to around 350 species of mostly lichens, mosses, and algae. Various sea birds, seals, and penguins are often seen in Antarctica such as the Emperor Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Orcas, Humpback whales, Weddell Seals and Leopard seals.
What is your protocol regarding avian flu?
We follow the protocol advised by IAATO. Before leaving for your voyage, please make sure anything you bring that may come into contact with the environment (clothes, equipment, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We ask that you do not sit, kneel, or lay down during our landings. Please also do not place anything on the ground. You will receive a document with further information after booking.
On this page you find all information you need to know about the avian influenza outbreaks, including biosecurity protocols.
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About Antarctica cruises
Weather you can expect on your cruise to Antarctica
Your Antarctica cruise will show you some of Earth’s most beautiful scenery in one of its least hospitable environments: Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest of all the continents, though it grants travelers access to some of the most dazzling sights the planet has to offer.
Grey peaks stab out of the wind-carved snow, passing icebergs dot the dark blue waters, and wildlife that can be seen nowhere else reminds you that you’re truly in another world when you are on an Antarctica cruise.
Along the Antarctic coastline, temperatures can reach as high as 10°C (50°F) during a hot summer day. On a regular day, it can plummet to barely above freezing. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be uncomfortable. Our vessels are designed to make your cruise to Antarctica as pleasant as possible, and we’ll give you all the packing info you need to stay warm and dry from beginning to end.
Fun facts to prepare you for your Antarctica cruise
- Antarctica is larger than Europe
- Because Antarctica experiences so little precipitation, it is technically a desert
- The name “Antarctica” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “opposite to north”
- Almost 62% of the freshwater ice on Earth exists in Antarctica, enough to raise the oceans by about 60 meters (197 feet) if it melted today
- The coldest temperature ever recorded was at the Antarctic research station Vostok, on July 21, 1983, when the thermometer dropped to -89.2°C (-128.6°F), cold enough to shatter steel
- Despite the cold, the biggest documented mass of living creatures — a 10,000,000-ton school of krill — was spotted in the Antarctic
- The first confirmed sighting of Antarctica was in 1820, though it would take almost a century — until 1911, to be exact — before a human being set foot on the continent
Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Antarctica
An Antarctica cruise introduces you to a seldom-seen side of our planet. It means visiting a part of Earth that has remained largely unchanged since Aristotle first wrote of Terra Australis, or the “Land of the South,” centuries before Antarctica would be seen by human eyes.
Taking a cruise to Antarctica also means acquainting yourself with the real survivalists of the Antarctic: the seals, whales, penguins, and other seabirds who call the region home.
Our Antarctica cruises offer you an experience unlike any you have ever had. Whether you’re kayaking among towering icebergs, hiking near inquisitive penguins, or camping beneath the wild polar skies, your cruise to Antarctica will redefine your notion of adventure.
