Antarctic Peninsula – The ‘Classic Antarctic’ route by Oceanwide

Discover the highlights of the Great White Continent on this classic Antarctic expedition.  Zodiac cruise through a myriad of ice sculptures in search of penguin colonies and seals hauled out on rocky shorelines.  Spot minke and humpback whales feeding in the nutrient-rich waters, against a pristine backdrop of giant calving glaciers and white mountainous peaks.  Kayak around shimmering icebergs and experience camping out under the Antarctic night sky.

Highlights

• Zodiac cruise amongst huge icebergs, making landings to see penguins up-close
• Kayak through the ice-floes spotting seals & marine wildlife
• Keep watch for minke and humpback whales
• Visit historic sites, such as the Port Lockroy post office & museum
• Opportunity to camp out on the Antarctic ice

Quick Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia
Days 2-3: Drake Passage
Days 4-8: Antarctic Peninsula
Days 9-10: Drake Passage
Day 11: Ushuaia

Day 1: Ushuaia
Your adventure begins on the very tip of South America, at Ushuaia.  Known as the City at the End of the World, it makes for an exciting start to your expedition.  In the afternoon, you will board the ship and it sets sail through the picturesque Beagle Channel.

Days 2 – 3: Drake Passage
The expedition heads south through the Drake Passage, following the path of historical polar explorers.  Keep watch for wildlife sightings, with the potential to spot fin whale and various species of albatross and petrels.  As the Captain navigates the ship close to the South Shetland Islands, you will catch your first glimpse of spectacular icebergs.

Days 4 – 8: Antarctica
Over the coming days, the Captain and Expedition Leader will create a bespoke itinerary based on current local weather and ice conditions.   You may visit the largest colony of gentoo penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula tucked away at Cuverville Island, also home to many stunning icebergs and sculptures making it ideal for Zodiac boat exploration.   You may explore Danco Island, known for the many crabeater and Weddell seals found in the area, and Neko Harbour, where minke and humpbacks often frequent the bay.  Neko Harbour is one of the locations where you may make a continental landing - surrounded by towering mountains, enormous glaciers calving ice into the sea and a pebbly shore thriving with gentoo penguins, it is classic picture-postcard Antarctic scenery, and also very popular with kayakers.  You may explore the waters around Paradise Bay, or visit the historic Port Lockroy where you can visit the famous museum and post office – with even the chance to send relatives a post card from Antarctica. 

Other possible landing points include, Jougla Point, where kayaking and camping are popular exploration activities.  Or you sail around the Pléneau & Petermann Islands and up through the beautiful Lemarie Channel, ice conditions allowing.   This region is stunningly beautiful, with the channel being appropriately nicknamed ‘kodak gap’ – it is a photographer’s paradise.  Keep watch for minke and humpback whales, Adélie penguins, blue-eyed shags and leopard seals around these waters.  You may sail around Wilhelmina Bay spotting whales and other marine mammals, and Zodiac cruise to the eerie wreck of the Guvernøren, which is an old whaling vessel which caught fire in the early 1900’s.

Days 9-10: Drake Passage
Crossing over the Drake Passage, you keep watch for the impressive numbers of seabirds which grace these fabled waters.  There is plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy talks about the highlights of the expedition, sharing photos and stories with your fellow expeditioners.

Day 11: Ushuaia
All great things must sadly come to an end.  This trip of a lifetime will leave you with an endless array of wonderful memories, as you disembark the ship ready for your onwards voyage.