ANTARCTIC PENINSULA CRUISES

Explore the Antarctic Peninsula aboard M/V Sea Spirit, an expedition ship built for remote polar travel. Our team of naturalists, geologists, historians, and wildlife specialists bring the landscapes, wildlife, and history to life through lectures and guided excursions — by Zodiac, on foot, or through optional sea kayaking and overnight camping. As an IAATO member since 2011, we follow strict guidelines limiting shore landings to around 100 people per site. Our small-ship approach maximizes time ashore, allowing all guests to explore together with no group rotations and enjoy up to three landings a day, each around 2.5 hours.

Antarctic Peninsula wildlife ranges from gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins to blue whales — the largest animals on Earth — plus humpback whales and orcas feeding in krill-rich waters. Spot leopard, Weddell, crabeater, and Antarctic fur seals on the shoreline or resting on ice floes; Antarctic krill forms the base of the food chain that sustains them all. Massive icebergs drift past your ship and Zodiac as you sail the Gerlache Strait and the narrow Lemaire Channel, framed by glacier-covered mountains.

Antarctic Peninsula

Depart Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, and sail the Beagle Channel before crossing the Drake Passage — calm ("Drake Lake") or rough ("Drake Shake"), depending on conditions. Explore the South Shetland Islands and Deception Island's volcanic caldera, then continue through the Weddell Sea to the Peninsula's most iconic sites. Step ashore at Neko Harbour and Port Lockroy on guided Zodiac excursions, and sail the glacier-lined Gerlache Strait and Lemaire Channel, home to massive icebergs, leopard seals, whales, penguins, and seabirds.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Depart Ushuaia on a 15-day voyage covering the Antarctic Peninsula's highlights and pushing as far south as the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S. Cross the Drake Passage, explore the South Shetland Islands and the wildlife-rich Gerlache Strait, then continue toward the Circle — a milestone only possible on these longer itineraries. This premium 15-day voyage gives you more time in Antarctica than the classic 12-day trip, with ample chances to spot whales, seabirds, and other marine wildlife.

Geography

Stretching approximately 1,300 km (800 miles) toward South America, the Antarctic Peninsula is the continent's northernmost and most accessible region. Mountains frame the landscape, topped by Mount Jackson at 3,184 m (10,500 ft), with glaciers and seasonal pack ice shaping the coastline. Around 100 km (65 miles) from the tip lies Deception Island, an active stratovolcano with black-sand beaches and a flooded caldera. Geologically linked to the Andes via the Scotia Ridge, the entire region is protected under the Antarctic Treaty System.

History

The Antarctic Peninsula played a central role in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (1897-1922). Fabian von Bellingshausen made the first recorded sighting on January 27, 1820, followed three days later by Edward Bransfield and William Smith. Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-17) became one of polar history's greatest survival stories, saving his entire shipwrecked crew. Visit Port Lockroy, established in 1944 as a British research base under the secret WWII mission Operation Tabarin, and Enterprise Island, where the wreck of the Norwegian whaling ship Guvernoren, sunk by fire in 1915, still rests today.

Wildlife Preservation

Krill-rich waters sustain an abundance of wildlife around the Peninsula. Antarctic krill forms the base of the food web supporting gentoo, chinstrap, Adélie, and emperor penguins, humpback whales, seabirds, and Weddell and leopard seals. The Antarctic Treaty System, established in 1959 and now backed by 58 nations, protects the continent, while IAATO regulates visitor landings to 100 passengers per site at a time. As an IAATO and AECO member since 2011, we support responsible polar tourism — aboard our small expedition ship, M/V Sea Spirit, all guests go ashore together, with up to three 2.5-hour landings a day.

Drake Passage

Shortly after departing Ushuaia, you'll cross the legendary Drake Passage. Conditions vary from calm ("Drake Lake") to lively ("Drake Shake"). M/V Sea Spirit's Rolls-Royce retractable stabilizers reduce pitching and rolling in rough seas, so you can watch for humpback whales, fin whales, seabirds, and dolphins in greater comfort.

Iconic Wildlife

Watch gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins gather in bustling colonies, spot humpback whales feeding in krill-rich waters, and look for orcas, leopard seals, Weddell seals, and crabeater seals. Every shore landing and Zodiac excursion offers prime wildlife-viewing opportunities.

South Shetland Islands

As Antarctica's northernmost archipelago, the South Shetland Islands feature tundra vegetation — mosses, lichens, and algae — surrounded by nutrient-rich waters that draw penguins, seals, seabirds, and whales. Deception Island's black-sand beaches and snow-covered hills are a highlight of any voyage.

Neko Harbour

Surrounded by glacier-covered peaks, Neko Harbour is one of the Peninsula's most scenic landing sites, home to a thriving gentoo penguin colony and views of icy cliffs, floating icebergs, and snow-capped mountains.

Enterprise Island

Discover the rusting hulk of the Norwegian whaling ship Guvernoren, sunk by fire in 1915. The wreck still rests in the bay today, a historic site popular for Zodiac excursions and photography.

Gerlache Strait

One of Antarctica's most beautiful waterways, the Gerlache Strait is framed by rugged mountains and glaciers, with massive icebergs drifting in its calm waters — a must-see for photography and Zodiac excursions.

Lemaire Channel

Known as the "Kodak Gap," this 11-kilometer (7-mile) channel is famous for its steep mountain faces and mirror-like waters — some of Antarctica's most dramatic scenery, and a favorite among photographers.

Port Lockroy

Explore this historic British base, established in 1944 and now home to a museum and the world's southernmost post office, where you can send a postcard from Antarctica. 

Polar Plunge

Join the brave few who take the famous dip in the Southern Ocean, with water around 0°C (32°F) — an exhilarating dare that earns true polar traveler bragging rights.

How to get to the Antarctic Peninsula

Expeditions begin in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, though some start in Buenos Aires with a charter flight from Aeroparque (AEP). Arrange your own international flights to Ushuaia or Buenos Aires, where our team meets you and arranges transfers and a hotel night before embarkation. From Ushuaia, board M/V Sea Spirit and sail the Beagle Channel into open water, crossing the Drake Passage toward the Antarctic Peninsula.

When to visit the Antarctic Peninsula

We cruise during the Antarctic summer, November through March, with mild temperatures around 1–2°C (33.8–35.6°F), though conditions can shift quickly. November brings pristine snow and penguin courtship; December and January bring hatching chicks, calmer seas, and 20+ hours of daylight; February and March offer striking sunset colors and prime whale-watching.

Facts about the Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula covers roughly 522,000 km² (201,600 sq mi), about 80% ice-covered, and stretches some 1,300 km (800 miles), with peaks like Mount Jackson at 3,184 m (10,500 ft). Summer temperatures hover around 1–2°C (33.8–35.6°F); winter drops to around -15°C (5°F). There are no permanent residents, though around 70 research bases from 29 countries operate here, under the Antarctic Treaty System (established 1959, now backed by 58 nations). IAATO guidelines limit shore landings to a maximum of 100 visitors at a site at one time, making small-ship expeditions especially well suited to maximizing time ashore. Antarctic waters hold an estimated 379 million tons of krill, the foundation of the food web that feeds penguins, whales, seabirds, and seals.