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Antarctica in Whale Season: Discover the Antarctic Peninsula in Late Summer

An 11-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands during peak whale season. Cruise by Zodiac among icebergs, observe feeding humpback whales, and step ashore at bustling penguin rookeries.


Antarctic Peninsula
© Sebastian Arrebola

Duration: 11 days / 9 nights on board.
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.


Included
Optional


Embark on an 11-day polar expedition to the White Continent during one of the premier periods for marine wildlife encounters. Setting sail from Ushuaia across the legendary Drake Passage, late-summer conditions and retreating sea ice provide access to sheltered bays and dramatic glaciated channels along the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Nutrient-rich waters attract feeding humpback whales and other marine species, creating remarkable opportunities to witness powerful blows and sweeping tail flukes against soaring peaks.

Throughout the polar voyage, travelers take part in daily Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings, stepping onto rocky beaches and walking alongside bustling penguin colonies where growing chicks shed their down. The expedition also offers sightings of Weddell and leopard seals hauled out on floating ice floes, scenic cruising near international research outposts such as Great Wall Station, and engaging onboard educational seminars before retracing the route north across the Drake Passage.

Highlights:
Cruising during prime late-summer whale season to encounter feeding humpback whales.
Zodiac excursions through ice-filled bays and past towering sculpted icebergs.
Guided shore landings to visit thriving penguin colonies as chicks venture toward the sea.
Opportunity to navigate near the international scientific community at Great Wall Station.
Engaging onboard enrichment program covering polar wildlife, geology, and history.

Itinerary

© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
Welcome to the southernmost city
Arrive in Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica nestled between the Andes and the Beagle Channel. Transfer independently to the designated hotel for check-in. Spend the arrival day resting or exploring the waterfront, with all meals at your own expense.

Day 2: Ushuaia, Argentina (Embarkation)
Sailing the Beagle Channel toward the Drake Passage
Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer as a group to the pier for embarkation. The Expedition Team conducts mandatory safety briefings and outlines upcoming plans as the ship sets sail through the Beagle Channel toward the Drake Passage.

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage (At Sea)
Ocean crossing and polar lectures
Spend two days at sea navigating the Drake Passage toward Antarctica. Attend educational lectures on polar history, geology, and wildlife, while scanning the wake for wandering albatrosses and watching for the first icebergs on the horizon.

Day 5-8: Explore South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Prime whale watching and penguin colonies
Spend four days exploring the glaciated bays, channels, and islands of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore landings to encounter feeding humpback whales, penguin rookeries with fledgling chicks, and resting seals on ice floes, alongside cruising near Great Wall Station.

Day 9-10: Crossing the Drake Passage (At Sea)
Northbound ocean crossing
Retrace the route northward across the Drake Passage toward South America. Attend final presentations, review photographic journals, and share memories with fellow travelers as temperatures rise and seabird activity increases.

Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina (Disembarkation)
Morning disembarkation in Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia in the early morning. Complete disembarkation procedures after breakfast, bringing the Antarctic expedition to an official close.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
Welcome to the southernmost city
Arrive in Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica nestled between the Andes and the Beagle Channel. Transfer independently to the designated hotel for check-in. Spend the arrival day resting or exploring the waterfront, with all meals at your own expense.

Day 2: Ushuaia, Argentina (Embarkation)
Sailing the Beagle Channel toward the Drake Passage
Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer as a group to the pier for embarkation. The Expedition Team conducts mandatory safety briefings and outlines upcoming plans as the ship sets sail through the Beagle Channel toward the Drake Passage.

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage (At Sea)
Ocean crossing and polar lectures
Spend two days at sea navigating the Drake Passage toward Antarctica. Attend educational lectures on polar history, geology, and wildlife, while scanning the wake for wandering albatrosses and watching for the first icebergs on the horizon.

Day 5-8: Explore South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Prime whale watching and penguin colonies
Spend four days exploring the glaciated bays, channels, and islands of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore landings to encounter feeding humpback whales, penguin rookeries with fledgling chicks, and resting seals on ice floes, alongside cruising near Great Wall Station.

Day 9-10: Crossing the Drake Passage (At Sea)
Northbound ocean crossing
Retrace the route northward across the Drake Passage toward South America. Attend final presentations, review photographic journals, and share memories with fellow travelers as temperatures rise and seabird activity increases.

Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina (Disembarkation)
Morning disembarkation in Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia in the early morning. Complete disembarkation procedures after breakfast, bringing the Antarctic expedition to an official close.


© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola


INCLUSIONS

One night pre-cruise hotel in Ushuaia on day 1 with breakfast.
Group transfer from the hotel to port on embarkation day.
One waterproof polar expedition parka to keep.
One reusable water bottle to keep.
A pair of loaner boots for use during Zodiac landing or cruising.
10GB Starlink Wi-Fi package for personal devices (More data can be purchased).
Onboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
All meals and snacks on board.
Complimentary selected beer, house wines and soft drinks during dinner on board.
Complimentary coffee and tea on board 24 hours a day.
Complimentary in-suite mini-bar replenishment daily with soft drinks.
All included shore excursions in the port.
All shore landings and Zodiac cruising during expedition points.
Educational lectures and guiding services provided by 66 Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
A photographic journal documenting the expedition and the digital photos during the voyage.
All luggage handling during embarkation and disembarkation.
Port charges, permits and landing fees.

EXCLUSIONS

Onboard service charge: US$15 per ship night per person is automatically added to your onboard account.
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising or landing.
International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights.
Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
Optional excursions and activities.
All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages (outside of dinner service), laundry, spa, phone charges and other personal charges.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Seaventure | Date: 13 Feb 2028 - 23 Feb 2028 (5843)
Porthole Stateroom
$12,595
$9,446
Window Stateroom D4F
$13,795
$10,346
Window Stateroom D5F
$14,095
$10,571
Window Stateroom D4M
$14,395
$10,796
Window Stateroom D5M
$14,595
$10,946
Veranda Stateroom
$17,095
$12,821
Owner´s Suite
$21,195
$15,896
Ship: Seaventure | Date: 22 Feb 2028 - 03 Mar 2028 (5844)
Porthole Stateroom
$11,995
$8,996
Window Stateroom D4F
$13,095
$9,821
Window Stateroom D5F
$13,395
$10,046
Window Stateroom D4M
$13,595
$10,196
Window Stateroom D5M
$13,895
$10,421
Veranda Stateroom
$16,195
$12,146
Owner´s Suite
$20,095
$15,071

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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