Antarctica in January
January is the peak of the Antarctic summer, so you'll enjoy magical 20+ hours of sunlight each day. These extra daylight hours gives you more time each day to explore,…
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High Season Antarctic Cruises in 2024
January is the peak of the Antarctic summer, with penguin rookeries heaving with newly hatched chicks and their harried parents. By February, the rapidly growing chicks dominate the rookeries and whale sightings intensify.
Antarctica in February
February's the time for sailing all the way to the Polar Circle, the sun's rays through December and January having weakened the pack ice significantly enough to allow for …
Discover MoreAntarctica in December
The summer sun bathes the continent in 20-24 hours of daylight in December, making it a popular time to visit. It's also a busy time for the penguin rookeries as the chicks begin …
Discover MoreFrom One to One Hundred
Swoop has catered for travellers of every group size. Whether you’re adventuring solo or bringing a group of over 100. We can help.
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Solos
- Working with over 30 different ships to find you the most solo-friendly ships, with the lowest single supplements, and the best solo deals available. Discover More
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2 - 5 people
- With over 100 collective years of Polar experience our team will help you find your perfect trip, so you’re on the right ship, in the right cabin, and at the right point of the season. Discover More
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6 - 80 people
- We’ve worked with all sizes of groups, from large families to small schools. Travelling with Swoop means you’ll be the best prepared customers on the voyage and you pay nothing extra for this service. Discover More
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Large Groups
- We are experienced charter consultants that can build tailored experiences for both part and full charters of vessels. Discover More
Shoulder Season Antarctic Cruises 2024
November is a month of awakening in Antarctica, it's the arrival of summer after the long and dark winter. Penguin rookeries are a hive of activity and elephant seals are busy battling on South Georgia Island. March offers spectacular skies for photographers, with soft golden light and pink hues staining the ice. Fledgling chicks are hugely inquisitive as they begin their independent lives, and whale encounters abound.
Antarctica in March
March marks the end of the travel season to Antarctica. You'll be able to enjoy the mesmerising colours of blooming green and pink algae against the water and ice, as well as …
Discover MoreAntarctica in November
In November Antarctica opens its arms to the season's first visitors. You'll not only enjoy the excitement of walking on virgin snow, but you'll also appreciate its beauty as you …
Discover MoreShoulder Season Antarctic Cruises 2024
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.7 out of 5
Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure
Fly over the Drake Passage in just 2 hours, both to and from Antarctica. Ideal for those wanting a high comfort level, but who have limited time or are anxious sailors. An outstanding program, successfully operated for over 15 seasons.…
- 8 Days
- $12,995
4.3 out of 5
Antarctic Fly & Sail Combination
A rare and popular voyage which flies to Antarctica in just two hours, then sails back across the Drake Passage, maximising both expediency and experience. Spend 5 to 7 days exploring Antarctica on a small, purpose-built expedition ship, with kayaking…
- 9-13 Days
- $11,695
Journey beyond the Antarctic Circle in real comfort aboard a state-of-the-art expedition ship. Spend an extended period of 7 action-packed days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Attractive comprehensive transfer package from Buenos Aires available on select departures. Wide choice of optional…
- 14 Days
- $18,990
4.3 out of 5
Classic Peninsula Voyage
Travelling aboard this modern 134-passenger ship with its 200-degree observation lounge and spacious cabins, spend 4 full days exploring Antarctica’s extraordinary icebergs and wildlife. Optional camping and kayaking, while Ushuaia hotel accommodation and a parka jacket are included in the…
- 11 Days
- $7,399
4.7 out of 5
Fly & Cruise Polar Circle
This impressive voyage combines all the comfort and speed of flying in both directions with extended time in Antarctica (7 full days), allowing you to head south towards the remote Antarctic Circle. Explore from the comfort of your outstanding purpose-built…
- 10 Days
- $14,295
4.5 out of 5
Antarctic Basecamp Adventure
The ultimate Antarctic adventure, this trip is specifically for the active traveller. Spend 7 days kayaking, hiking, camping, mountaineering and snowshoeing, all included in the price. A medium-sized expedition ship acts as your floating ‘basecamp’. An excellent deal backed up…
- 13 Days
- $8,800
For those travellers looking for seamless travel on a trip that is hassle-free and all-inclusive, this is the perfect option. Skip over the notorious Drake Passage on a comfortable two hour flight to Antarctica, then travel onboard a state-of-the-art mega…
- 10 Days
- $20,467
With a wide range of departure dates and a great choice of optional adventure activities to choose from, this itinerary offers flexibility and variety. Spend 4 full days exploring Antarctica with your experienced team of naturalist guides from the comfort…
- 11 Days
- $7,178
4.6 out of 5
South of the Antarctic Circle
By including optional kayaking and diving, these late season voyages offer the chance to maximise your polar crossing experience by exploring Antarctica both on and under the water. Travelling at that time provides excellent photographic and whale watching conditions, alongside…
- 12, 13 or 14 Days
- $7,700
4.3 out of 5
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Spend 6 full days exploring Antarctica with the Polar Circle at 66 degrees south as your most southerly objective, on board one of the most exciting new vessels. A maximum of just 130 passengers, with spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology and…
- 13-14 Days
- $16,195
4.5 out of 5
Discover South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands
This voyage stands out by visiting the Antarctic Peninsula first and keeping the wonders of South Georgia for the second half. You’ll travel on board one of the most exciting new polar ships with spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology and optional…
- 19-25 Days
- $22,595
4.6 out of 5
South Shetland Islands & Antarctica Voyage
A classic 10-day voyage to the White Continent. Perfect for those wanting great value and comfortable accommodation. Sail aboard a purpose-built X-bow expedition ship with an average of 175…
- 9-12 Days
- $6,990
4.6 out of 5
Antarctic Peninsula Explorer
Explore the White Continent aboard one of the polar fleet's newest additions, a state-of-the-art expedition vessel combining adventure with comfort. As well as being limited to only 130 passengers, there’s a wide range of optional activities on this classic Antarctic…
- 12-15 Days
- $12,395
What our customers think of Antarctica Cruises 2024
Awesome, incredible, amazing, wonderful, perfect, great response to my questions, emails, telephone calls. Read the full review
Travelled: March 2019
Catherine Macwillie - United States Of America
I was pleased with the services from Swoop. The most important of these being the cruise that was recommended, which was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to maximize the opportunities to go onshore and we did. The Swoop staff were very organized and followed through on everything, ensuring that I knew what and when things needed to be completed.
Travelled: January 2018
Karyn & Richard - California
I wish to say how grateful we are now for the phone call you made way back last year...you gave us that little push we needed to make up our mind. Swoop service was outstanding and I would highly recommend you anytime.
Travelled: January 2018
Lucien & Marie-Eve - South Africa
Glad we were on a smaller ship with only around 120 guests so we never felt overcrowded on any of the shore landings. You could feel close to nature all the time.
Travelled: January 2018
Zoltan & Stephen Nemeth - Florida
It was an incredible experience. Antarctica is unlike any place I have ever visited, totally unspoiled by human influence aside from the few research stations dotted here and there. The raw beauty and remoteness is impossible to describe. Read the full review
Travelled: January 2018
Al Carzoli - United States Of America
It was a fabulous trip, something I had dreamt of doing since the late 1960's. I was absolutely thrilled by the whole package and experience. A personal experience of exploration and learning which I will always treasure.
Travelled: December 2017
Rae - New Zealand
Do not miss the opportunity to visit Antarctica. The quiet. The pristine nature. The fresh and unpolluted air. The clear crystal water. The penguins....I mean where to begin and finish....I am simply speechless. Most of us left crying! Heck I am even going to mention it in my resume.
Travelled: December 2017
Yiheli - Chile
Amazing and surreal. The trip would not have been the same without the myriad of wildlife seen on South Georgia. The landscapes in Antarctica are beyond amazing; they are serene and humbling. It was a pleasant surprise to see four different species of whales, including killer whales.
Travelled: December 2017
Krystal - California
The travel experience on the boat was mind-boggling, so many great stories and interesting people and backgrounds. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2017
Travis & Kalli Walthall - United States Of America
Review:
Why our customers love Swoop
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.
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 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.
When should I start planning my voyage?
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When are departure dates normally released?
Polar operators typically release their forthcoming departure dates and prices at least 18 months or so in advance, some even earlier. This is great news for travellers who like to plan ahead and get their cabin reserved early on, particularly if you can take advantage of an early booking incentive.
Given that there is only a finite number of places available on each departure, it really is a case of the early bird gets the worm – or, in this case, the best dates and the widest choice of cabins – so early booking is strongly recommended.
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When should I start to plan my Fly & Cruise trip?
Trips that include time-saving flights to Antarctica, avoiding the Drake Passage, are incredibly popular and are the earliest of all voyages to become booked up.
Due to strong demand and the relatively modest number of ships, particularly during high season, we would strongly urge that you begin planning at least 12 months in advance to be confident of securing your first choice. December and January are particularly busy times and, typically, can be fully booked up 10 months ahead.
For the most popular Fly & Cruise trips or those incorporating South Georgia, 18 months ahead isn't too early.
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Is it less expensive to travel in November & March?
Yes it's true, the shoulder season months of November and March tend to be priced approx. 10-15% less than during the high season (December to the end of February) and, as a result, are a good place to look for the budget-conscious or bargain-hunter.
The reason for this is partly the less predictable weather and slightly lower wildlife numbers, but it's also simply the case that many who live in Northern Hemisphere countries like to holiday during their worst winter months.
In our opinion, a great time to travel is in early December when it's still shoulder season pricing but you get all of the benefits of high season.
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Are there any advantages in booking early?
There certainly are: as well as securing your first choice, with many of the ships offering really quite generous early booking incentives of up to $1,500 per person, getting organised can pay dividends.
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Can I wait until the last minute for a late deal?
Given the strong demand for Antarctic cruises, boat operators rarely need to resort to offering any late availability discounts – particularly on the more popular ships and voyages – as cabins are normally all booked months in advance.
Any remaining unsold cabins tend to be left on the shelf for a reason, and choice will be poor at best, so it's not an approach we advocate.
However, if you're flexible on dates and don't mind paying a last-minute premium for your flights, there are normally odd cabins available.
Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
1-888-970-4570
