Embark on an Antarctica Expedition

There’s pure, stark beauty in Antarctica, and a sense of remoteness so extreme, it’s as if you’ve traveled to another earth than the one you thought you knew.

Intimate Access to Antarctica

An Antarctica expedition is in its own category, and we’re committed to making it a trip of a lifetime.

The Origins of Antarctica

We explore all facets of this wild continent during an Antarctica expedition – from origins to the present day. About 250 million years ago, Antarctica was in the subtropical band of the planet, covered with abundant forests and inhabited by reptiles and amphibians. It was part of the supercontinent of Gondwana. Subsequently, it permanently separated 65 million years ago and began to drift towards the South Pole. Following its gradual cooling, ice formed, making it the world’s most extreme and inaccessible land.

The Antarctic ecosystem results from prolonged and complex evolutionary processes where we see life forms adapt to the extreme polar environment. As a result, it produced a system composed of a limited number of species that depend directly on each other and the habitat in which they live. Notably, there are various penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds in the Antarctic ecosystem.

On the continent, there are five species of penguins: the Adelie, Chinstrap, King, Gentoo, and the Macaroni penguins. Penguins in Antarctica typically have a diet of squid, fish, and crustaceans.

Thanks to their warm blubbery bodies and fantastic swimmers, seals are perfectly adapted for life in the Antarctic ecosystem. There are up to four species of seals that you could see on your visit: the Elephant, Leopard, Crabeater, and the Weddell seals.

Additionally, during your Antarctica expedition, you could see several species of seabirds, including Albatross, Blue-Eyed Shag, Snowy Sheathbill, and more. The Antarctic seas have seasonal visitors. Three species of whales visit Antarctica every year: Orca, Humpback, and Minke whales.

Today, the Antarctic continent, without a doubt, is the most mysterious place on the planet. Its permanent ice sheet covering and almost wholly hiding its topography. In addition to being an ecological wonder, it has bewitched explorers, scientists, and voyagers alike for centuries.

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Join us & reDiscover Antarctica

The first moment any one of our team members laid eyes on the continent was a life-changing experience, one that brings them back to Antarctica season after season. For our team and guests, they will reDiscover Antarctica and all of its wild beauty, together.

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Wildlife in Antarctica

Gentoo Penguin in Antarctica. Photography by Anais Rekus on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.
Adelie penguin in Antarctica. Photography by Anais Rekus.
Chinstrap penguins in Antarctica. Photography by Machu, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.
Whale jump in Antarctica
Minke whale in Antarctica.
Orcas in Antarctica. Photography by Keegan Pearson, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.
Close up photography of a Crabeater seal
Close up portrait of a seal in South Georgia. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev, for Antarctica21.
Leopard seal in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez.
Black-browed albatross in the Falklands
Cape o Pintado Petrel photographed by Mathew Farrell on an Antarctica Express, on board Hebridean Sky.
A blue-eyed cormorant or blue-eyed shag. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev, on an Antarctica Express Air-Cruise.
Antarctic sea bird, Snowy Sheathbill. Photography by Keegan Pearson, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.
Northern giant petrel found in South Georgia. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev.
Polar skua bird stilling a penguin egg. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez on the Inaugural Voyage of Magellan Explorer.
Gentoo Penguin in Antarctica. Photography by Anais Rekus on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo is the largest of all Pygoscelis penguins. It can be easily recognized by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head and the red bill. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts. They are the fastest underwater swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 36 km/h. They feed mainly on krill, but also on fish and squid. They are the most numerous penguins nesting in the Antarctic region.

Adelie penguin in Antarctica. Photography by Anais Rekus.

Adelie Penguin

The Adelie is the archetypical penguin, named after French explorer Dumont D’Urville’s wife. They are purely black and white, with a characteristic angular head, a distinctive white eye-ring and a tiny bill. Females are smaller in size, but like all penguins, the sexes are alike. The downy chick is uniformly grey.

Chinstrap penguins in Antarctica. Photography by Machu, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

Chinstrap Pengin

Chinstraps are similar to Adelies in that they are black and white, but they are slightly smaller and have a distinctive black line connecting the black cap to the part below the chin. The chicks are uniform brownish-grey and paler below. On average, the female’s flipper and bill length is smaller than the male’s. They are highly gregarious and monogamous. It is believed they form long-lasting bonds with their mates. They nest in the Antarctic Peninsula area and on Subantarctic Islands. Their population is estimated in 7.5 million pairs, being the second largest of Antarctic inhabitants after the gentoo penguins.

Whale jump in Antarctica

Humpback Whale

Humpbacks may be recognized by their enormous flippers, which can reach a third of their total body length. They are normally black, but the undersides of flippers and flukes have varying amounts of white and can be used as aids for individual recognition. They measure 11 to 19 meters and weigh 25.4-35.5 tones. Males are usually slightly shorter than females.

Minke whale in Antarctica.

Minke Whale

The southern minke whale is a species of minke whale within the suborder of baleen whales. It is the third smallest baleen whale. While it was first scientifically described in the mid-19th century, it wasn’t recognized as a distinct species until the 1990s. Given that it was ignored by the whaling industry due to its small size and low oil yield, the southern minke was able to avoid the fate of other baleen whales and maintained a large population into the 21st century, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. It has survived to become the most abundant baleen whale in the world.

Orcas in Antarctica. Photography by Keegan Pearson, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

Orca Whale

The orca is the largest member of the dolphin family, and it is probably the most easily recognized of all cetaceans. The most obvious feature is the enormous dorsal fin, which is the tallest and most pointed of any cetaceans. In adult males, it may stand two metres in height, while in females and immature males it is more curved and smaller. They have a striking black and white pattern from throat to abdomen, some of their flanks, and an oval blaze behind the eye white, with the rest mainly black. The huge conical head is pointed with a very slightly rounded beak. Males can reach 7 to 9 metres in length and weigh 3.8 to 5.5 tonnes. Females are noticeably smaller in overall body size, reaching 5 to 7.7 metres length.

Close up photography of a Crabeater seal

Crabeater Seal

They are relatively slim and flexible, typically with an elongated, square-shaped head, protruding dog-like snout, a long mouth opening and large flippers. Their eyes are dark and small. Their colouration is predominantly dark brown dorsally becoming blond ventrally, with a marked seasonal and individual variation in coat colour. With age, fur gradually becomes uniformly blond after the moult. Many are deeply scarred on the back and body-sides due to attacks by leopard seals and killer whales. Crabeaters actually eat krill, not crabs, as their name suggests. Males reach about 3 metres in length and females are slightly smaller. They can weigh between 180 to 410 kg.

Close up portrait of a seal in South Georgia. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev, for Antarctica21.

Weddell Seal

This seal species was not discovered until 1823 when Captain James Weddell captured six specimens during his voyage to the South Pole. They are amongst the largest and fattest seals, with proportionately small flippers and heads, and large dark eyes. Both sexes are similar in size and appearance, but females are generally slightly larger, and males have thicker necks and broader heads. They reach 2.5-3 metres and weigh between 400-600 kg. They have a short, dense coat of a dark bluish-grey colour, which is irregularly streaked. They can become browner prior to moult.

Elephant Seal

The southern elephant seal is the world’s largest seal. It is a heavy-built, long-body seal with proportionately small flippers and some skin folds just behind the head. The dark eyes are large and round. The adults have short stiff hair, usually dark grey dorsally and paler ventrally. Males have squarer and larger heads, with a conspicuous proboscis, while females have more rounded heads with no proboscis. Breeding males may weigh up to a sixth that of a breeding female. Males can grow to 4.5-6.5 metres and 3,700 kg; females can grow to 2.5-4 metres and between 360-800 kg.

Leopard seal in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez.

Leopard Seal

These seals have long slim bodies, with an almost serpentine appearance and comparatively large reptilian heads with a long snout, powerful jaws, broad gape and relatively small dark eyes. Fore flippers are rather large, situated near the centre of the body. They are coloured with dark on the back, almost black or blue-grey on the flanks, and paler ventral colouration; a light area variably spotted with darker grey. They have very long canine teeth, with long pointed cusps on the molar teeth. Females are larger than males (3.8 metres and 500 kg compared to 2.8-3.8 metres and 300 kg).

Black-browed albatross in the Falklands

Black-Browed Albatross

The black-browed albatross is one of the smaller black and white ‘mollymawks’ with a pale head. This albatross can be identified at a distance by its underwing pattern featuring a wide dark leading edge. At close range, the adult birds have a yellow eye that makes identification easy.
Size 80-96 cm
Wing 50-56 cm
Wingspan 210-250 cm
Weight 2.9 to 4.6 kg

Cape o Pintado Petrel photographed by Mathew Farrell on an Antarctica Express, on board Hebridean Sky.

Cape or Pintado Petrel

The cape petrel is an unmistakable medium-sized petrel, with a round head and highly distinctive black and white upperparts and upper wings, smaller than the Antarctic petrel. Its speckled appearance has earned its other common name, pintado, which means ‘painted’ in Spanish. The cape petrel has a circumpolar distribution at sea. It has a wide breeding range from the Antarctic continent to the more southerly Subantarctic islands, where it breeds in November and December in loose colonies on level rocky grounds or gravel, and moderately high cliffs.
Size 35-42 cm
Wing 24-28 cm
Wingspan 80-91 cm
Weight 440-500 gr.

A blue-eyed cormorant or blue-eyed shag. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev, on an Antarctica Express Air-Cruise.

Blue-Eyed Shag

There is no clear agreement on how many species of cormorants inhabit the southern islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. There could be as many as seven or as few as two surrounding Antarctica, depending on what taxonomic diversity they have. All are reasonably similar, but the Antarctic shag is unmistakable in range because no other blue-eyed shag overlaps with it. They are rather large and have a black and white shag, with a bright blue-eyed ring, with a long wispy black erectile crest.
Size 77 cm
Wing 32-33 cm
Weight 2.5-3 kg

Antarctic sea bird, Snowy Sheathbill. Photography by Keegan Pearson, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

Snowy Sheathbill

The snowy sheathbill is a medium-sized, plump hen-like, all-white bird. They are not seabirds because, for example, their feet are not webbed, but are in their own family akin to waders. They cannot be mistaken for anything else as they strut and squabble around penguin colonies. They have elaborate courtship displays and are monogamous and permanently pair-bonded species. They feed on intertidal life and on invertebrates.
Size 34-40 cm
Wingspan 70 cm
Weight 400-700 gr.
Size 77 cm
Wing 32-33 cm
Weight 2.5-3 kg

Northern giant petrel found in South Georgia. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev.

Southern Giant-Petrel

Giant-petrels are the largest of the petrel family, which make up the order of tubenose or procellariiform seabirds, along with albatrosses, shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels. The crucial feature used to distinguish the northern giant petrel from the closely related southern giant petrel is the color of the bill tip: reddish-brown in the northern, and greenish in the southern. This characteristic is not always easy to spot at sea. Some southerns are all white, except for the odd dark feathers. This color phase does not occur in northerns, helping with identification. White phase southerns are more common at southerly breeding sites and are absent at the northerly ones.
Size 85-100 cm
Wing 46-58 cm
Wingspan 150-210 cm
Weight 3.8-5 k
Size 77 cm
Wing 32-33 cm
Weight 2.5-3 kg

Polar skua bird stilling a penguin egg. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez on the Inaugural Voyage of Magellan Explorer.

Polar Skua

The polar skua is able to fly the furthest south of all other Antarctic birds. It is light brown in color with a yellow neck. While flying, you can see a lighter band that crosses the lower surface of the wings. It has a dark beak, which is curved at the end. The feet are dark grey and almost black.
Size 85-100 cm
Wing 46-58 cm
Wingspan 150-210 cm
Weight 3.8-5 kg
Size 77 cm
Wing 32-33 cm
Weight 2.5-3 kg

Sites of Interest

Travelers crossing Lemaire channel, in Antarctica, aboard Magellan Explorer. Photography by Sandra Walser.
Paradise bay, in Antarctica.
Livingstone island, in Antarctica.
Half Moon island, in Antarctica.
Deception island, Antarctica.
Port Lockroy, in Antarctica.
Aitcho Island, Antarctica.
Cuverville Island, Antarctica.
Petermann Island, in Antarctica.
Travelers crossing Lemaire channel, in Antarctica, aboard Magellan Explorer. Photography by Sandra Walser.

Lemaire Channel

Known for being one of the most beautiful spots in the area, this channel has been nicknamed the “Kodak Gap,” due to the impression it produces among the tourists, making them take innumerable photographs of nature at its finest. If the weather allows, and the channel is not blocked by the ice that is typical of this inhospitable corner of the world, you will see playful seals that rest on wandering icebergs, as well as minke whales that are frequently found in these cold waters.

Paradise bay, in Antarctica.

Paradise Bay

From Paradise Bay, you will be able to enjoy one of the most magnificent views that the Antarctic territory has to offer. Splendid scenes of glaciers and mountains are enhanced by fascinating fauna, such as gentoo penguins and minke whales.

Livingstone island, in Antarctica.

Livingston Island

Livingston Island is a surprising spot where you will find a great variety of species. Your attention will be captivated by chinstrap, gentoo and the magnificent macaroni penguins, with their distinctive orange/yellow crests. Elephant seals, Antarctic giant petrels and snowy sheathbill are also to be seen.

Half Moon island, in Antarctica.

Half-Moon Island

The volcanic origin of this island gives it a very particular surface formation. Here, you will find chinstrap and gentoo penguins, Antarctic blue-eyed shags and skuas. In this area, you may find the distinguished-looking Weddell seal and some elephant seals that occasionally visit the island.

Deception island, Antarctica.

Deception Island

An impressive volcano, still considered active and famous for its incomplete crater which is at sea level. Sailing and walking in this zone can be a fabulous experience. One of the greatest attractions of this island is the sequence  of rock towers that come out of the sea. This amazing geological formation is known as “Neptune’s Bellows.” In this outstanding place, that’s shaped like a horseshoe, the coastal waters can get close to 65°C (149°F) due to the volcanic presence, in contrast with the freezing surrounding waters in this corner of the world. Here, you will also visit Whalers Bay, where you can see the remains of a former whaling station.

Port Lockroy, in Antarctica.

Port Lockroy

A wide bay located on the southwestern point of Wiencke Island, this site was used by whalers almost one century ago. There is an old British scientific base which is now a museum. Nowadays, it is not unusual to see minke and humpback whales cruising along the coast.

Aitcho Island, Antarctica.

Aitcho Island

This island is located near the north entrance of the English Strait, in the South Shetland Islands, between Greenwich and Robert Islands. The main attractions here are the large colonies of chinstrap and gentoo penguins that cover the area. It is also possible to find great quantities of Antarctic giant petrels and some protected animals, such as the Weddell seal.

Cuverville Island, Antarctica.

Cuverville Island

Upon arrival, you will find yourself on a small island dominated by a great amount of lichen growth and deep moss on the rocks, the only botanical species that you can find on the surface of Antarctica. As part of the scenery, you will see various birds, such as Wilson petrel, south and brown skuas, as well as one of the largest colonies of gentoo penguins.

Petermann Island, in Antarctica.

Petermann Island

This island is endowed with a unique beauty, due to its immense granite walls and the abundant snow that composes the scenery. It also has the largest and southernmost colony of Adelie and gentoo penguins, migratory species typical of Antarctica. On Petermann Island, you will be able to see a colony of Antarctic blue-eyed shag, a species much appreciated for its solemn stance and singular presence. During the summer, elephant seals come out in groups to enjoy the sun, basking on their sides atop the rocks of the island.

Our Expeditions to Antarctica

Our Antarctica expeditions include air-cruises and sea voyages.

Air-Cruises

Our air-cruises offer travelers a comfortable alternative to the 2-day sail across the rough seas of the Drake Passage. Our boutique-style wilderness Antarctica expeditions include a 2-hour flight to and from Antarctica and skipping the Drake Passage. Once there, you board your expedition ship and where your Antarctic adventure begins. Quickly immerse yourself in the 7th Continent—no stormy crossing or seasickness.

Sea Voyages

Our sea voyages to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands are high-end wilderness adventures, not cruises. All of these trips are onboard our new and most modern polar vessels, Magellan Explorer and Ocean Nova, feeling like a private yacht. This small expedition ship gives you privileged access to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.

Image of Expedition Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise

Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise

Image of Expedition Polar Circle Air-Cruise

Polar Circle Air-Cruise

Image of Expedition Antarctica Express Air-Cruise

Antarctica Express Air-Cruise

Image of Expedition Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise

Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise

Image of Expedition Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia & Antarctica

Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia & Antarctica

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