Onto the Antarctic Ice
Trip type
Antarctic Peninsula
Trip length
10-13 Days
From
$6,300 -$16,750
Ship Comfort
Comfort & Adventure
Onto the Antarctic Ice - 10-13 Days - $6,300
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- 4-5 full days in Antarctica = 8-10 planned ‘off ship’ excursions depending on your preferred departure
- Wide selection of well priced voyages to choose from
- Antarctic operational experience since 1996
- Expedition staff to guest ratio of 1:10
- Kayaking & camping. Diving on limited departures (additional cost for each)
- Complimentary snowshoeing on early season departures when snow conditions allow
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia
Where the world drops off in Ushuaia, your voyage begins. Located on South America's far southern tip, this destination is the world's southernmost city. You'll embark on your vessel in the afternoon and sail into the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Days 2 & 3: Sailing on the Drake Passage
Over the next two days, you’ll enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: rolling seas, cool salt breezes and maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing through the Antarctic Convergence – the continent's natural boundary, where north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Both marine and avian life changes here. Wandering albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars and blue petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
Days 4 to 7: Entering Antarctica
Towers of broken blue-white ice and grey stone peaks sketched with snow welcome you to Antarctica. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, before sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.
Sites you may visit include:
Danco Island – There are gentoo penguins nesting on the island, and Weddell and crabeater seals to be found nearby.
Neko Harbour – With mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a zodiac cruise and a landing that affords the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
Paradise Bay – You may be able to take a zodiac cruise in the ice-flecked waters, with a good chance that you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows, you could sail through the Lemaire Channel, searching for Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. You may also encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals.
Port Lockroy - After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.
Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren – A great place to spot humpback whales, you also may embark on a zodiac trip ending at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915. Amid a frozen landscape, around the Melchior Islands, you may encounter more whales, leopard and crabeater seals. Conditions on the Drake Passage will determine the exact time of our departure.
Days 8 & 9: Return to Ushuaia
Your return voyage will be far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, the vast number of seabirds from the passage south will greet you again, but this time, they'll seem a little more familiar.
Day 10: Ushuaia
Your adventure must eventually come to an end, so it’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia. You'll depart with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Why our customers love Swoop
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost
Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.
The Antarctic Experts. No Compromises
Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist
We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct
We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.
What our customers think of Onto the Antarctic Ice
Onto the Antarctic Ice trips scored 4.8/5 from 81 reviews
Review:
About The Ship
Your expedition vessel
Your expedition vessel
On deck at dusk
Polar library
Dining room
Penguins and your vessel
Zodiac boarding area
Observation lounge
Recaps in the lounge
Kayaking from the vessel
Camping on the Antarctic ice (optional)
Your expedition vessel
- A highly ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 vessel
- Spacious lecture theatre for the comprehensive educational programme
- State-of-the-art power management systems to help reduce environmental impact
- Modern décor with a cosy and informal atmosphere
- Sheltered Zodiac boarding zone for easier entry into the boats
- Camping, kayaking and snowshoeing available on select departures
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $6300
Additional Notes
The length of the voyages are as follows:
- 23-Mar-2026: 10 days long
- All other departures: 11 days long
Departures on 10-Mar-2026 and 23-Mar-2026 have a whale watching focus.
The departure on 22-Jan-2026 includes a complimentary workshop where guests will learn about the history, theory and practice of land and sea navigation.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo who want their own cabin, the single supplement is 1.7 times the cost of a single berth. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.
Children aged 8 years old or over are permitted on this trip. On select departures, children under 16 may receive a 40% discount. Please contact us for details.
Optional Adventure Activities
Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.
| Activity | Cost | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
Camping
|
$225 | Select departures from November to February. Fee is USD $250 for 2025-26. |
Kayaking
|
$560 | Kayaking competency required. Select departures. |
Polar diving
|
$640 | Limited spaces available. Cold water and dry suit experience required. Select departures. Additional charge of between USD $640 and USD $1600, depending on voyage and season. |
Snowshoeing
|
Complimentary | Select departures, as long as snow conditions allow. Snowshoes provided. |
Includes
- Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation and meals during the voyage on full board
- All shore excursions and zodiac activities
- Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
- Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
- Loan of rubber boots and snowshoes for the voyage's duration
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port taxes and any entry fees to landing sites
Excludes
- Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
- Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
- Transfers not specified in the itinerary
- Optional adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
- Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Personal travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature - laundry, beverages, etc
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
- Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)
