South Atlantic cruise: from Antarctica to South Africa

Embark on a luxury journey from Ushuaia to the vastness of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia. Explore glacial landscapes and penguin colonies before crossing the Atlantic to the vibrant city of Cape Town.


Antarctic Peninsula
© SWA

Duration: 21 days / 19 nights on board.
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina.
Ends: Cape Town, South Africa
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


This epic voyage begins in Ushuaia, the gateway to the White Continent, and traverses the frozen wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and the captivating Antarctic Peninsula. Aboard a boutique expedition ship, travelers will navigate among majestic icebergs and colossal glaciers that create scenes of raw and imposing beauty. The journey continues to South Georgia Islands, often called the "Galapagos of the Poles" due to its abundance of wildlife, where some of the world's largest king penguin colonies and elephant seals lounging on the beaches can be found, offering total immersion in Earth's last great wilderness.

As the vessel crosses the South Atlantic, remote locations such as the volcanic Tristan da Cunha archipelago are visited, where seabirds outnumber humans. Here, the biodiversity is staggering, with albatrosses, petrels, and northern rockhopper penguins inhabiting the rugged cliffs. The voyage concludes in multicultural Cape Town, offering a vibrant contrast between the explored wild nature and urban sophistication. During sea days, expert lecturers share their insights into the region's history and ecology, while citizen science workshops allow passengers to contribute to global environmental research.

Highlights:
Close observation of Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguin colonies in Antarctica.
Visit to South Georgia to explore Grytviken and Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave.
Exploration of the remote Tristan da Cunha Island and its abundant marine birdlife.
Sightings of whales, dolphins, and various seal species in their natural habitat.
Participation in citizen science programs with expert researchers on board.

Itinerary

© SWA
© SWA
© SWA

Day 1: Ushuaia
The city at the end of the world
Nestled in the foothills of the Martial Range, Ushuaia offers a dramatic landscape between mountains and the Beagle Channel. After boarding your boutique ship, you will begin your journey toward one of the most fascinating regions on the planet.

Days 2-3: Days at sea
Sailing Southbound
Take time to enjoy the views from the observation decks or the library. Participate in onboard lectures given by experts or perfect your skills with professional photographers as the ship crosses the southern waters.

Days 4-6: Antarctic Peninsula
The White Continent Dream
Explore landscapes of glaciers, icebergs, and scientific bases. Excursions might include Mikkelsen Harbour, where you will observe Gentoo penguins and Weddell seals in a setting of snowy peaks and photogenic channels like the Lemaire.

Days 7-8: Days at sea
Sailing the Scotia Sea
Time to relax and share experiences with other passengers. Expert presentations will continue, setting the stage for the arrival at the sub-Antarctic islands.

Days 9-11: South Georgia
The Galapagos of the Poles
Discover landing sites with tens of thousands of King penguins and elephant seals. Visit Grytviken, the historic whaling station where the remains of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton are laid to rest.

Days 12-15: Days at sea
Crossing the South Atlantic
Days dedicated to observing seabirds from the deck and learning about polar ecology. The expedition team will offer detailed briefings as we head toward the most remote islands.

Day 16: Tristan Da Cunha
A remote ocean outpost
Millions of seabirds inhabit this British archipelago, including yellow-nosed albatrosses and northern rockhopper penguins. Nutrient-rich waters attract whales, dolphins, and fur seals.

Days 17-20: Days at sea
Heading toward Africa
The final leg of navigation before reaching the African continent. Enjoy the ship's amenities, attend final citizen science workshops, and review the moments captured during the expedition.

Day 21: Cape Town
Vibrant multicultural culture
Arrival in Cape Town, situated between mountains and the ocean. Enjoy the iconic Table Mountain, visit Robben Island, or explore the Stellenbosch vineyards before concluding your luxury adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia
The city at the end of the world
Nestled in the foothills of the Martial Range, Ushuaia offers a dramatic landscape between mountains and the Beagle Channel. After boarding your boutique ship, you will begin your journey toward one of the most fascinating regions on the planet.

Days 2-3: Days at sea
Sailing Southbound
Take time to enjoy the views from the observation decks or the library. Participate in onboard lectures given by experts or perfect your skills with professional photographers as the ship crosses the southern waters.

Days 4-6: Antarctic Peninsula
The White Continent Dream
Explore landscapes of glaciers, icebergs, and scientific bases. Excursions might include Mikkelsen Harbour, where you will observe Gentoo penguins and Weddell seals in a setting of snowy peaks and photogenic channels like the Lemaire.

Days 7-8: Days at sea
Sailing the Scotia Sea
Time to relax and share experiences with other passengers. Expert presentations will continue, setting the stage for the arrival at the sub-Antarctic islands.

Days 9-11: South Georgia
The Galapagos of the Poles
Discover landing sites with tens of thousands of King penguins and elephant seals. Visit Grytviken, the historic whaling station where the remains of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton are laid to rest.

Days 12-15: Days at sea
Crossing the South Atlantic
Days dedicated to observing seabirds from the deck and learning about polar ecology. The expedition team will offer detailed briefings as we head toward the most remote islands.

Day 16: Tristan Da Cunha
A remote ocean outpost
Millions of seabirds inhabit this British archipelago, including yellow-nosed albatrosses and northern rockhopper penguins. Nutrient-rich waters attract whales, dolphins, and fur seals.

Days 17-20: Days at sea
Heading toward Africa
The final leg of navigation before reaching the African continent. Enjoy the ship's amenities, attend final citizen science workshops, and review the moments captured during the expedition.

Day 21: Cape Town
Vibrant multicultural culture
Arrival in Cape Town, situated between mountains and the ocean. Enjoy the iconic Table Mountain, visit Robben Island, or explore the Stellenbosch vineyards before concluding your luxury adventure.


© SWA
© SWA
© SWA


INCLUSIONS

Charter flights to the port of embarkation/disembarkation (Ushuaia).
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included).
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel.
Your selected stateroom.
All meals onboard.
Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise.
24-hour room service.
Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers.
One selected shore excursion per port of call.
All expedition landings.
Entry level WI-FI.
Gym, sauna, pool.
24/7 self service laundry.
Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep.
In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boots.
Memory Package.
Onboard gratuities & port taxes.

EXCLUSIONS

Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Personal expenses.


Dates & Rates


Ship: SH Diana | Date: 15 Mar 2028 - 04 Apr 2028 (5184)
Oceanview
$15,500
Balcony
$17,000
Junior Suite
$23,225
Suite
$27,100
Premium Suite
$30,975

* 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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