Why Antarctica?

When a world of sparkling ice castles, bustling penguin rookeries, expansive sunsets, and giant barnacled whales is beckoning, the question isn't 'why Antarctica', but when...

Experience the magic for yourself. Explore ice-choked waterways by zodiac boat as seals and penguins dart around you, step foot on snowy beaches and ascend marble slopes to breathtaking views, wake up to icebergs floating past your porthole. It's hard to do justice to the depth of the experience. It is a sensory awakening, an emotive reconnection with nature, and a reminder of the power and beauty of nature on a scale rarely witnessed. 

Adventure is waiting, and it's more unforgettable and special than you could imagine. Now you just need to figure out what your adventure looks like...

Adventures in Antarctica

See for yourself...

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What our customers think of Adventures in Antarctica

The sheer scale and remoteness of the continent. Tranquil and the fact that animals can survive and indeed flourish in such a harsh environment. The glaciers and geomorphology were inspirational. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2023

Andrew John Griffiths - UK

Each trip on land or on a zodiac offered us different views of the continent. We explored each landing site for 1 to 2 hours, and this included hikes and glaciers, visiting penguin colonies etc. The briefings on board the ship gave us a really good understanding of what we were visiting. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Isabella Kornas - UK

Just a thank you for one of the best, if not the best experience we have had. We travel extensively and this was one we will remember for the rest of our lives. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Robert Wenze - USA

Travelling to such a remote area of the planet made me realize that there is so much more to life than our way of life in human society. I gained a better appreciation for untouched nature and feel more inspired than ever to help conserve these wild places. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Maricela Alaniz - USA

A visit to Antarctica offers many “memorable moments”. I was “most” moved on several occasions when cruising on Zodiacs in the middle of pristine, majestic environments surrounded by water, mountains, snow, floating ice and penguins. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Erwin Perl - USA

Come with an open mind and heart, and take advantage of every opportunity to get to know Antarctica. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Mary Cunningham - USA

It’s hard to articulate feeling like you went back in time - ice ages ago - and are given this new lens on how to behave and appreciate as you grow and move on with the days you get on this planet. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Paolina Xocco - USA

My three most memorable zodiac cruises were seeing the most gorgeous ice I could ever imagine, having our staff give us an encounter with krill and watching the seal swimming not far from our boat, looking directly at us whenever his/her head came above the waterline. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Linda Nolte - USA

10 - It was so much more than "just a cruise." Activities were safe and allowed for participation regardless of your age, ability, etc. The educational aspects of the region, the wildlife, the history, the current processes in place to "manage" the area and preserve its unique wild state - everything was phenomenal !!! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Shelley Springer - USA

10/10- Very hard to describe this experience as it still feels so surreal even now that I’m home. What an incredible experience for all of us crazy travellers looking for an out of this world adventure. The pure beauty and isolation of Antarctica was amazing, the wildlife was abundant, and the ship experience was too fun! This is a trip you’ll never forget! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Amanda Colarossi - Canada

Zodiac excursions were very fun, you literally feel so close to everything around you and can truly experience Antarctica. They’re safe and cruising around with your new boat friends definitely added to the overall experience. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Amanda Colarossi - Canada

Our experience really highlighted how fragile the world and its ecosystem is and how it is important to look after our planet. If you going to spend your money, spend it on something as enriching as this trip is. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Helena Polackova - UK

Loved the zodiac excursions. The zodiacs provide intimate access to locations the ship cannot reach. Zodiacs and shore excursions make all the difference in an Antarctic journey. I couldn't imagine simply viewing just from the ship. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Scott Hunter - USA

Cruising below the Antarctic circle near Crystal Sound (can't remember the exact location) and witnessing the otherworldly site of a sea of bergy bits, growlers and icebergs tightly packed together as far as the eye can see. Like a broken-up ice shelf with pieces so close it looked like you could hop from one to another for miles. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Jamal Perry - USA

What a powerful experience. How many people in the world get to experience this? I feel humbled. The reactions and enthusiasm of the staff at achieving the crossing reinforced how privileged my experience was. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Jane Crowley - USA

I loved all the zodiac trips; the landings were incredible too but I could do zodiacs all day every day. The zodiac across Paradise Bay and Spert Island were the best; we used the term "white water zodiacing" at Spert and it was so much fun! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Jennifer Ruth - USA

Take advantage of all the floor to ceiling windows - whales and seals just slide by when you're not expecting it! Do all the things you possibly can and be open to all the experiences, ask questions: the expedition crew is so passionate and knows so much. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Jennifer Ruth - USA

Antarctica exceeded every expectation! The overwhelming grandiosity is difficult to put into words. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Michael Bilheimer - USA

Most memorable moment: kayaking with a humpback whale - a highlight of my life to date. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Lauren Woosey - UK

Temper your expectations. Don't think every day is going to be filled with gorgeous sunshine, as photos tend to suggest. If you concentrate on the incredible landscapes and fantastic wildlife, you will have an unforgettable adventure even if the weather is not the best. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Fred Delcomyn - USA

The trip was full of memorable moments - for the first three days, it was just one awe-inspiring moment after another, and really we continued to be surprised and delighted up until the last hour. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Stephanie Krolick - USA

The orcas appearing during the whale talk, the baby humpback breaching off the bow of the zodiacs, the polar plunge, watching from the outriggers as the the boat cut through the ice, drinking Macallan with ice fresh from a berg, having an impromptu dance party with my husband on top of a volcanic cinder cone. It was just a super trip from beginning to end. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Stephanie Krolick - USA

Antarctica is such an alien place that it truly makes you feel like you've left the planet. The days were amazingly long, in a good way. Each day felt like two given the amount of activity and their length. Just a wonderful experience. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Mark Golan - USA

I waited over two years to go on this trip because of Covid. It was well worth the wait. Everyone who has ever thought of going to Antarctica and has the means should go. Go now while you still can! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Kent Kimball - USA

Overall a magical experience. Antarctica did exceed anything we had imagined or seen in pictures or video. No way to encompass the experience of stunning sights without being there. So big, so pristine. As we told some fellow passengers: Disney talks about magic in Orlando, but that is fake magic. Antarctica is the real magic on Earth. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Mike Walcher - USA

Antarctica is vast, beautiful, and unforgiving. So much beauty, and so much struggle. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Diane Walcher - USA

Antarctica was impressive with all its splendour...its vastness, whiteness. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Gordon Pickering - USA

We saw whales, various types of seals, penguins, and birds. My favorite encounter was w/ a Leopard Seal while kayaking; the seal seemed to be having fun with us, creating waves and swimming quickly underneath the water to change his position before we could snap a photo. We also saw a group of Ocra hunting another whale - it was a magical moment as the sun was setting and we had just finished a BBQ dinner / party on the back deck. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

George Parson - Australia

I’m still thinking about the privilege of taking this adventure which I guess means that it has at least enhanced my perspective. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Donald Emeigh - United States Of America

You guys were great, thank you very much for everything! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Mukund Shenoy - United States Of America

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The experience expanded my appreciation for this world. I still feel full of awe when I recall the trip. I expect I will carry this feeling the rest of my life. It has made us want to see more... Read the full review

Travelled: November 2019

Kathy Lanier Dignen - United States Of America

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Swoop, you did a fabulous job of getting us prepared before we went, and even before that guiding us on which of the expeditions met what we wanted to achieve. I have never found that before in all of my (long!) life of travels. Even your guidance on which cabin to book, was outstanding. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2019

Sue Quelch - United Kingdom

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Working with Swoop was a delight. They were so helpful and provided such good advice and useful detailed information. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Ralph Pollack - United States Of America

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Our Antarctica expedition was truly fabulous! It seems impossible to name just one highlight, but if I must, it would be the hour or so we spent cruising amongst a group of 200 humpback whales. They were so close you didn't know where to look first. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Elaine Green - United States Of America

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The people at Swoop were amazing. From the initial recommendations to the very detailed pre-cruise information, we always felt comfortable knowing that they would be there to answer any concerns.

Travelled: November 2017

Joey & Sheri - Washington

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Swoop was phenomenal! I am so happy and grateful I booked with Loli and the Swoop team. Loli answered all of my questions and due to her first-hand experience with the trip, she was able to offer terrific guidance and helpful insights. I felt completely looked after and prepared for my trip.

Travelled: January 2017

Colette - California

Swoop was excellent. Alex's knowledge of the seasons and what we could expect was spot on.

Travelled: January 2017

Natalie and Mike - UK

It was the greatest blessing to run across Swoop in my research! The service was superb in every way, imaginable!

Travelled: January 2017

Arvat - Virginia

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Swoop, and John in particular, were fantastic. They did everything that was possible and made things very smooth and comfortable.

Travelled: December 2016

Sascha - Germany

Everything​ ​was close to perfection​. The service by Swoop Travel​, t​he exceptional beauty of Antartica​ and t​he expedition team ​on​ the cruise​ were all 10​/​10!

Travelled: January 2016

Son - Thailand

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Who are Swoop?

We're a group of wilderness-seekers, always searching for the road less travelled. We've been lucky enough to visit the ends of the earth for many years, and our network of partners and guides across Antarctica are as much friends as they are colleagues.

For us, adventure has always been a process of discovery, not only of our planet and its many hidden gems, but of ourselves. We believe that unforgettable adventures can change perspectives, so we've started out on our journey towards reducing our impact, and the impact of our customers, on the natural world we all enjoy. 

Adventures in Antarctica
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Luke says

Nearly 20 years ago, I discovered a land at the bottom of the world that I fell in love with. Since then, I've made it my mission to help others who share my passion for the great outdoors, nature and wilderness, to embark on unforgettable adventures like mine.

Luke Errington Founder, Swoop Antarctica

Want to learn more about the magical seventh continent? Speak to one of our Antarctic experts today to find out what kind of adventure might be right for you.

What will I do on an adventure cruise?

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A guide to Antarctic travel

A guide to Antarctic travel

Extending almost 14 million square kilometres, the Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth and is twice as big as Australia, with ice up to 2.5 miles thick …

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Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

Reserve

We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.

With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.

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