Category: Planning & Tips

One of my favourite places in Grytviken in South Georgia is somewhere overlooked. Tucked into an anteroom the Norwegian Church is the old whaling station’s forgotten library. After browsing the shelves, you can flick through 1950s registration books to discover which whalers were the most avid readers. It’s a gently moving experience: while nature rightly […]

At the end of 2022 I was able to tick off one of my big bucket list destinations when I travelled south to join an expedition cruise sailing to South Georgia and Antarctica. While I packed up my warm clothes and checked my spare memory cards and batteries for my camera I was bubbling over […]

Whether you’re counting down the days until you set out on your Antarctic adventure or just daydreaming of about icebergs and penguins from the comfort of your armchair, there is a host of podcasts out there to get you in an Antarctica state of mind. We’ve sorted through the best Antarctica podcasts worth listening to. […]

Cabins with balconies might not sound like an obvious choice if you’re heading to an icy destination like Antarctica, but they’re becoming an increasingly popular option for polar expedition cruising. In this article we’ll discuss how having a balcony cabin can let you enjoy your very own private piece of Antarctica.  Do all expedition ships […]

In the past few years, it’s been possible to spot a new type of ship cruising through the Antarctic ice. They look like no other ship in the polar fleet, or even any other ship you might have seen. Their bows curve down into the water like a bird dipping its beak for a drink. […]

Here at Swoop, we often get asked about the pros and cons of buying kit vs hiring kit for an Antarctic adventure. As a passionate polar traveller and a packing obsessive, let me provide some clarity! An expedition cruise trip to Antarctica may require some cold weather gear you don’t already own, though it’s often […]

During my years in the world of Polar travel, I’ve been fortunate enough to have many extraordinary experiences. I’ve been part of more than 130 Antarctic expeditions, spent almost a year of my life sailing the Drake Passage, and worked as a zodiac driver, guide and assistant expedition leader. Of these amazing encounters, there is […]

Expect the unexpected. Go with the flow. These are the types of things you’ll hear over and over again when it comes to Antarctic voyages. In the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth, it hardly comes as a surprise to learn that itineraries do not always go to plan. I can’t seem to tell […]