Antarctic Peninsula

Want to see the best of Antarctica? Our Antarctic Peninsula tours combine the highlights of wildlife, nature and history with active adventure traveling. Come aboard our small but comfortable expedition ship, the Sea Spirit, for the trip of a lifetime and join a small group of like-minded travelers.

It’s not just a vacation; it’s a real expedition cruise. Learn about the region from our onboard experts and join exciting science projects. Need to advance your photography skills? Join our free workshop and become a pro for when you hit the most scenic spots on the cruise.

Fully immerse yourself into the polar magic on this authentic Antarctica cruise. Explore in our small inflatable Zodiac boats, cruise amid gigantic icebergs or join our kayaking group and discover the Antarctic Peninsula from a whole new angle. Land on the most remote shores and hike with our professional guides to the best viewing spots. And for real adventurers, we offer camping under the stars of the Southern Hemisphere, right on the shores of Antarctica.

Different travelers have different expectations for their Antarctic cruise. You may come for the wildlife, see various penguin species, learn about marine mammals or immerse yourself in the rich history of Antarctic explorers – we cover it all.

Got your camera ready? The Gerlache Strait, with its glacier-covered mountains and blue waters, is one of the most picturesque places on Earth. Wildlife lovers will be ecstatic about an abundance of penguins, humpback and killer whales, weddell, crabeater and leopard seals.

Antarctic Peninsula

Depart from Ushuaia, Argentina aboard the Sea Spirit and cross the infamous Drake Passage to the White Continent. Discover the South Shetland Islands and their iconic wildlife. Sail the Weddell Sea, the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica and continue south to the Gerlache Strait, one of the most picturesque places on Earth with its glacier-covered mountains, blue icebergs and crystal-clear waters.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Looking for a unique voyage? From Ushuaia, Argentina we’ll cross the infamous Drake Passage aboard the Sea Spirit and catch our first glimpse of the White Continent passing the South Shetland Islands. Enjoy their rich iconic Antarctic wildlife. Continue to the Gerlache Strait, framed with glacier-covered mountains and look out for iconic marine mammals and penguins. From there, if weather and ice conditions allow, we push further south than any other cruise, crossing the Antarctic Circle.

Geography

Mountains with peaks as high as 3,184m (Mount Jackson) dominate the peninsula, with terrain similar to that of Tierra del Fuego. The surrounding islands, as well as the peninsula itself, feature volcanos. Antarctic tundra dominates the landscape, as well as glaciers and pack ice in coastal areas.

Climate

You’ll find the mildest temperatures on the entire continent here, with Antarctic summers featuring around 1 to 2 °C in January, while winters range from -15 to -20°C. While you find little to no precipitation in continental Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula gets rain occasionally

History

Even though Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen was likely to spot the Antarctic Peninsula first on January 27th, 1820, credit goes to Edward Bransfield and William Smith who were the first to discover the peninsula as part of the Antarctic continent three days later. Different discoverers gave the peninsula various names: Trinity Peninsula, Graham Land and Palmer Peninsula, until it finally became known as the Antarctic Peninsula in 1964.

Wildlife Preservation

The krill-rich ocean feeds an abundance of wildlife around the peninsula: penguins, seals, whales and seabirds. Chinstrap, emperor, gentoo and adélie penguin dominate the Antarctic peninsula, with ample space for their rookeries. The Antarctic Treaty System protects the ecosystem of the peninsula. Ecotourism and sustainable tour operators play a significant part in preserving their habitat and minimizing human impact.

1. Drake Passage. Shortly after leaving Ushuaia on the cruise ship, we will cross the infamous Drake Passage. Thanks to our ship’s stabilizing fins, you can enjoy wildlife viewing such as humpback and fin whales in comfort.
2. Iconic Wildlife). You’ll see plenty of wildlife on the Antarctic Peninsula. Pinnipeds such as weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as humpback and killer whales, live in the adjoining waters. If you are a penguin lover, you will love to see their boisterous nesting colonies! For the best king penguin encounters, we recommend you book one of our cruises that includes South Georgia Island.
3. South Shetland Islands. s the northernmost islands of Antarctica, the South Shetlands feature tundra vegetation such as mosses, lichens and algae. As they’re surrounded by krill-rich waters, be sure to look out for seabirds, seals and penguins while taking a stroll on the volcanic sand beaches.
4. Neko Harbour. Picturesque mountains surround this bay, where you can also see chinstrap penguin colonies.
5. Enterprise Island. Discover the rusty shipwreck of former Norwegian whaling ship Guvernoren, which sank after a fire in 1915.
6. Gerlache Strait. A must-see on your Antarctic Peninsula voyage! Pristine landscapes, spectacular glaciers and mountains frame its crystal-clear waters.
7. Lemaire Channel. Known as the “Kodak Gap” for its picture-perfect scenery, this narrow iceberg-filled channel is the pinnacle of Antarctic photography!
8. Port Lockroy. Explore the modern-day British scientific station Port Lockroy and visit its museum and gift shop. You can even send Antarctic greetings to your loved ones at home from their post office.