5 reasons to explore the Weddell Sea

  • Limited to only a handful of unique voyages each year, explore the little visited, distinct and ice-choked Weddell Sea
  • Renowned for its vast tabular icebergs which provide fantastic photographic opportunities
  • Historically significant - it was here that Shackleton's ship Endurance became trapped in ice, precipitating the greatest rescue story
  • The chance to see an Emperor penguin - the Weddell is the only place where they breed so far north
  • Explore large penguin rookeries, including volcanic Paulet Island with its 100,000 pairs of Adelies

Weddell Sea Voyages

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

The iconic emperor penguin is the goal of this expedition for wildlife enthusiasts, as your ice-strengthened ship sails into Antarctica’s challenging and little-visited Weddell Sea. Delve deep into historically significant and ice-laden waters, heading for the remote emperor rookery…

  • 11 Days
  • $12,100

Maximise your time looking for Antarctica’s most iconic species, the emperor penguin, on this luxurious expedition to the remote Weddell Sea. If conditions allow, two sleek twin engine helicopters will fly you over vast tabular icebergs to Snow Hill Island,…

  • 14 Days
  • $27,995

How to get to the Weddell Sea

Setting sail from Ushuaia at the tip of South America, your expedition ship will guide you through the Drake Passage towards the South Shetlands, before navigating to the east of the Antarctica Peninsula and into the Weddell Sea. The northwestern Weddell Sea is the only accessible part, due to thick ice, which makes for an exciting and adventurous voyage.

Expect huge tabular icebergs, incredible sunrises, and penguins galore - the Weddell Sea is the heart of Adelie penguin territory! Discover more on getting to Antarctica.

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Tabular iceberg in the Weddell Sea © Ira Meyer

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What our customers think of Weddell Sea Cruises

Weddell Sea Cruises trips scored 3.9/5 from 6 reviews

The most memorable moment must be the first sight of seeing the emperor penguin colony! It was amazing, just stunning! It was like a dream come true Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Grace Huang - USA

Fantastic experience, would recommend to anyone interested in wildlife and the history of the area. Walking on an ice floe in the Weddell sea was perfect. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2017

David & Jill Blaen - United Kingdom

Review:

The Weddell Sea: FAQs

Weather & Wildlife in Antarctica

Read Swoop's guides to discover how the weather changes through the seasons and what the wildlife is doing throughout the different months.

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