Antarctic Peninsula
Experience the essence of Antarctica on a classic Antarctic Peninsula expedition cruise.
Antarctic Peninsula
Experience the essence of Antarctica on a classic Antarctic Peninsula expedition cruise.
Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, these small-ship voyages are the most popular and accessible way to explore the White Continent. The Antarctic Peninsula is where most explorers fall in love with the polar world. Cruises offer the perfect balance of comfort, wildlife, and adventure — ideal for first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike. You’ll sail past sculpted icebergs, spot humpback and minke whales, and set foot on the 7th continent via daily Zodiac landings.
Polar Circle Quest: M/V Ushuaia
January-February
12 day departure
An 11 night/12 day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula & Polar Circle aboard the M/V Ushuaia
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer - incl. helicopters
February-March
28 days
This expansive voyage on board MV Ortelius explores one of the most remote, scenic, wildlife-filled regions on Earth: the great Weddell Sea
Early Booking Offer
Polar Circle Air/Cruise: Magellan Explorer
January
10 days
Fly to Antarctica and sail beyond the Antarctic Circle aboard a boutique expedition ship, exploring glaciers, wildlife and remote polar landscapes
Polar Circle Quest: St Helena
February
12 days
Extended 12 day Antarctica expedition on the classic small expedition ship, St Helena, with all-inclusive activities and Polar Circle crossing
Antarctic Peninsula: The Classic Voyage
February
12 days / 10 night cruise
An extended expedition with the boutique and comfortable Ocean Nova discovering the 7th Continent, Antarctica
On Sale
Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North
January
10 days
A 10 day express Antarctic expedition on board a luxurious expedition vessel including a time-saving flight to Antarctica
Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer
February-March
11 days
Explore to Antarctica’s remote Weddell Sea aboard Plancius — giant icebergs, whales, seals and rarely seen seabirds in pristine polar landscapes
Antarctica Express AirCruise: Magellan Discoverer
March
7 days
A 7 day Fly/Cruise to Antarctica for those short on time or budget! Fly directly to Antarctica then sail back on the luxury Magellan Discoverer
Early Booking Rates
Whale Season in Antarctica: Discoverer
March
11 days
An 11 day expedition to Antarctica on board the luxurious Discoverer focussing on the exceptional whale viewing of the late summer
Early Booking Prices
Antarctic Marine Mammals: World Voyager
March
11 days
A late season 11 day Antarctic expedition on the luxurious World Voyager with focus on the amazing opportunities to see whales and marine mammals
The Heart of Antarctica
The Antarctic Peninsula is where most explorers fall in love with the polar world. Cruises here offer the perfect balance of comfort, wildlife, and adventure — ideal for first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike. You’ll sail past sculpted icebergs, spot humpback and minke whales, and set foot on the 7th continent via daily Zodiac landings.
Why Cruise the Antarctic Peninsula
- Most Accessible Region: Shorter voyages (10–12 days) from Ushuaia via the Drake Passage.
- Abundant Wildlife: Penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds thrive here.
- Spectacular Scenery: Ice cliffs, glaciers, and the Antarctic mountains.
- Frequent Landings: Small ships = more Zodiac operations and exploration.
- Expert Guidance: Naturalists and expedition leaders enhance every day at sea.
Wildlife You Can See in the Antarctic Peninsula
- Gentoo, Adélie penguins, and Chinstrap penguins
- Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals
- Humpback and minke whales
- Antarctic petrels, skuas, and terns
The Antarctica cruise season runs from November–March - all months being wonderful - there is no absolute best time to visit the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife sightings do change through the season — in the early season Nov-Dec you'll see pristine snowy slopes, active penguin courtship and dramatic icebergs. The high season January-February brings peak wildlife, lots of penguin chicks and longer landings. In March enjoy the deep light, quieter voyages, and excellent whale activity. However during the whole season you can see plenty of penguins, whales and of course Antarctica's awe-inspiring mountainous scenery!
Booking Your Antarctic Peninsula Cruise
Book as early as possible for the best choice of cabins and departure dates. Choose from the many tour links on this page and don't forget to sort and filter by ship type, price, departure date, optional adventures and other criteria. Expeditions Online offers flexible payment options, multi-currency booking, and personalized service from polar travel experts. Get in touch with us anytime with questions and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter below:
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