South of the Antarctic Circle
Trip type
Cross Polar Circle
Trip length
12, 13 or 14 Days
From
$7,700 -$16,650
Ship Comfort
Expedition
South of the Antarctic Circle - 12, 13 or 14 Days - $7,700
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- From albatrosses and petrels to penguins and seals, you'll make plenty of new Antarctic friends
- 6, 7 or 8 full days in Antarctica, depending on which departure date you choose
- Antarctic operational experience since 1996
- Expedition staff to guest ratio of 1:10
- February and March voyage dates only when conditions are optimal for reaching the Polar Circle
- Optional scuba diving on most departures; kayaking and camping on selected departures (additional cost)
- Soak up even more regional knowledge with wildlife, nature and history lectures on board
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Days 2 & 3: At sea on the Drake Passage
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray.
After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
Days 4 to 9: On the Antarctic Peninsula
Options for Antarctic Peninsula activities are many, and no less great during the late summer. Humpback whales are prolific in this region, gorging themselves on krill before their migration north. The penguin chicks are also fledging, stirring up activity on the beaches while sleek leopard seals lie in wait, poised to attack the less fortunate ones.
Sites for your Antarctic adventures may include:
Livingston Island – Here you find a wide variety of gentoo and chinstrap penguins on Hannah Point, as well as southern giant petrels and elephant seals hauling out onto the beach.
Deception Island – Actually a subducted crater, this island opens into the sea and creates a natural harbor for the ship. Hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and multiple bird species – cape petrels, kelp gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns – can be seen here. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels also nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.
Cuverville Island – A small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island, Cuverville houses a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas.
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks. You might also be able to set foot on the continent here.
Paradise Bay – You could take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where you have a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you may sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales as well as leopard seals.
Crystal Sound – Your journey takes you south along the Argentine Islands to this ice-packed body of water, and from here across the Polar Circle in the morning.
Detaille Island – You may make a landing at an abandoned British research station here, taking in the island’s lofty mountains and imposing glaciers.
Fish Islands – Further north you encounter one of the southernmost Adélie penguin and blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Melchior Islands – These islands offer a beautiful landscape rich with icebergs. Leopard seals, crabeater seals, and whales are found here, and there are excellent opportunities for kayaking and diving.
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Days 10 & 11: At sea
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them..
Day 12: Arrival in Ushuaia
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.
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.
What our customers think of South of the Antarctic Circle
South of the Antarctic Circle trips scored 4.6/5 from 34 reviews
Review:
About The Ship
Out on the deck of the Ortelius
Observation lounge
Ortelius dining room
The dining room
Camping on the Antarctic ice (optional)
- A 3-4* expedition vessel for 108 guests
- All cabins have been recently updated
- A broad, heavy design = great stability
- High 1A ice class rating
- Camping, kayaking and snowshoeing available on select departures
- Rubber boots are provided on loan
With its original working ship roots, this vessel feels like being on a real expedition, but without the discomfort.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Antarctica
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $7700
Additional Notes
Please note, departures on the following dates are:
- 12 days long (6 days in Antarctica): 10-Mar-2025, 23-Mar-2025, 20-Mar-2026
- 15 days long (9 days in Antarctica): 09-Mar-2026 & 13-Mar-2026
- 21-Mar-2025 departures is an extended voyage at 16 days long. The ship will use the additional time to venture even further south than a classic Polar Circle trip, into little-known territory where few ships have ever ventured. If possible, the ship will attempt to reach the vast Wilkins Ice Shelf.
The 20-Mar-2026 departure has a whale-watching focus and includes a photography workshop. There is no extra charge, but you will need to book your spot at least three months before the voyage.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo who want their own cabin, the single supplement is 1.7 times the cost of a single berth. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.
Children aged 8 years old or over are permitted on this trip. On select departures, children under 16 may receive a 40% discount. Please contact us for details.
Optional Adventure Activities
Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.
| Activity | Cost | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
Kayaking
|
$560 | Basic competency required. Select departures. |
Polar diving
|
$1,075 | Limited spaces available. Cold water and dry suit experience required. Additional charge of between USD $ 900 to $1075, depending on voyage and season. |
Camping
|
$225 | Equipment provided. Select departures. USD $225 for 2024/25 season. USD $250 for 2025/26 season. |
Includes
- Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation and meals during the voyage on full board including snacks, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions and zodiac activities
- Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
- Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
- Loan of rubber boots and snowshoes for the voyage's duration
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Service taxes and port charges
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport directly after disembarkation
Excludes
- Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
- Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
- Transfers not specified in the itinerary
- Optional adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
- Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
- Government arrival or departure taxes
- Personal travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature - laundry, beverages, etc
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
- Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)
