The ultimate Antarctic adventure

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Experience the ultimate adventure on an Antarctica cruise

Are you ready for a real adventure? Then set out on one of our thrilling expedition cruises to Antarctica, where you’ll experience the ultimate in polar exploration.

Our Antarctica cruises fully immerse you in the otherworldly polar environment, introducing you to an exotic variety of Antarctic wildlife – whales, seals, penguins, and many other seabirds that can be seen in few other places on the planet.

Not only that, you’ll enjoy exhilarating outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, mountaineering, scuba diving, and even camping. On our Antarctica cruises, there is never a dull moment.

What you’ll do and see on your cruise to Antarctica

An Oceanwide Antarctica cruise takes you to another world. Enchanting icescapes, beautiful wildlife, and exhilarating shore landings will bring out your inner explorer.

Because you won’t just experience Antarctica from the decks of a vessel; you’ll explore it firsthand, either on foot or in one of our Zodiacs. Our cruises to Antarctica take you as close as possible to every glacier front, iceberg, and mountainous shoreline.

Not to mention all the humpback whales, gentoo penguins, fur seals, and wandering albatrosses you may encounter along the way. On an Antarctic cruise, epic is just the beginning.

Antarctica cruise destinations, activities, and options

Our cruises to Antarctica are as varied as the wildlife. Do you want to take a helicopter flight to a Weddell Sea emperor penguin colony? Do you want to walk the stunning shores of South Georgia, surrounded by elephant seals and king penguins? Or is an activity-filled Basecamp cruise more your speed?

Whatever expedition experience most appeals to you, we have the Antarctica cruise for it. Check out our current list of available cruises to Antarctica, and take the first step in an unforgettable adventure.

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Cruises to Antarctica

South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula
Up to $5099 OFF

South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula

25 Oct - 13 Nov, 2025

Tripcode: PLA21-25

  • EN

Experience the vibrant spring of South Georgia Island and the early season of the Antarctic Peninsula. Beneath the towering, snow-blanketed mountains of South Georgia Island, observe and photograph special wildlife behaviors seldom seen. The Antarctic...

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde
Up to $2775 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde

23 Mar - 4 May, 2026

Tripcode: PLA31B26

  • EN

The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to St. Helena
Up to $2380 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to St. Helena

23 Mar - 24 Apr, 2026

Tripcode: PLA31A26

  • EN

The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

Atlantic Odyssey excl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde
Up to $1770 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey excl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde

1 Apr - 4 May, 2026

Tripcode: PLA32C26

  • EN

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

St. Helena to Cape Verde

15 Apr - 25 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS32-25

Can be booked in combination only Cape Verde Ascension Island St. Helena
  • EN

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

Antarctica cruise video

Latest blog and customer story

Antarctica blog

Historic building at Whalers Bay successfully restored after graffiti incident

In partnership with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), Oceanwide Expeditions has successfully restored a historic aircraft hangar at Whalers Bay on Deception Island - just one month after an incident of graffiti.

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Antarctica story

Crossing, Kayaking, Camping: Three Antarctic Adventures

Crossing the Drake Passage rewards thousands of tourists every year with one of the most incredible paradises on planet Earth!

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Antarctica

Antarctica cruise photos

Antarctica cruise reviews

by Michael Karpusas
Our trip was well organized and for me it was a life-changing experience. No pictures or video from Antarctica can do justice to actually be there. The glacier scenery was mind-boggling and the animal encounters really unique. Strongly recommended to anyone who can afford the trip.
by Ilaria Ulivi
I started this trip with no idea about what to expect as you never know 'til the end what the weather will allow you to do. The forecast predicted a Drake's shake (waves up to 6 mt), a real adventurous start! After that we got luckier and luckier everyday more: during our sail and also during our zodiac cruises we were surrounded by whales, orcas, seals literally everywhere. It's something i will never forget and all the members of the crew were excited as well. The whole crew was amazing, they took care of us even in "shaking" moments. The wildlife and the scenery is just breathtaking and unbelievable. Also, it's amazing to see how much passionate they all are doing their job, Captain included. You share so many emotions with the other passengers that you feel like part of a family. This is my second cruise on the vessel Plancius. I love it because it has a good size with not too many passengers so every activity runs smoothly. High recommended!
by Chris Oakes
My main objective was to see antarctic wildlife. We had ample time to observe interactions between animals. Historical site visits were nice too!
by Wendy Kane
This was the trip of a lifetime. Every detail from the staff, to the food, accommodation and tours was perfect.
by Ruth Pinion
Felt like a real explorer, travelling in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton! We were lucky enough to reach Vahsel Bay and Berkner Island which was incredible and further south then Shackleton went! Saw wonderful wildlife and ice. Spent time just watching beautiful emperor penguins on ice and a humpback whale logging close to our zodiac. Crew were incredibly hard working and cheerful. My dietary intolerance was catered for by the Chef with cheerfulness and respect and I enjoyed fantastic meals for 4 weeks with no problems. Expedition staff were very knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. The prime aim seemed to be to make the trip as interesting and special for every guest as possible. They succeeded!
by WEIHAO Wu
It was a life time experience to go to Antarctica. It’s a pity we didn’t stay long after crossing polar circle due to bad weather conditions.

FAQ's about Antarctica cruises

Antarctica is the fifth largest of the seven continents. Antarctica has two large indentations which are the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea. The nearest continent is South America. The total surface of Antarctica is 14.2 Million square kilometres (about 5.5 million square miles) in summer.

The time zone in Antarctica is the same as the time zone in New Zealand:  GMT + 12 hours. On regular Antarctic trips we operate in the same time zone as Ushuaia, Argentina: GMT – 3 hours. 

No, the remote location, frozen landscape, and unpredictable weather can make tourism operations in Antarctica tricky, but Oceanwide Expeditions has the right experience, knowledge, and expertise to stay safe in the Antarctic. 

Antarctica is the coldest and also the windiest continent in the world. The lowest temperature on Earth was recorded in Antarctica. There are three climatic regions in Antarctica:

The interior of the continent: This is the extremely cold area of Antarctica. The coastal areas: These areas have milder temperatures and much higher precipitation rates. The Antarctic Peninsula: This is the region which has a warmer and also wetter climate; above freezing temperatures are common in the summer months.

During the summer months temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula range between -2°C - +5 °C. In the Ross Sea it can get significantly colder with temperatures down to -20°C. 

Yes, but only if the expedition leader considers local conditions safe. In that event, we may offer this swimming activity from shore under the supervision of our guides. For safety reasons, we do not do the polar from our vessels or Zodiac boats.

We follow the protocol advised by IAATO. Before leaving for your voyage, please make sure anything you bring that may come into contact with the environment (clothes, equipment, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We ask that you do not sit, kneel, or lay down during our landings. Please also do not place anything on the ground. You will receive a document with further information after booking.

On this page you find all information you need to know about the avian influenza outbreaks, including biosecurity protocols.

About Antarctica cruises

Weather you can expect on your cruise to Antarctica

Your Antarctica cruise will show you some of Earth’s most beautiful scenery in one of its least hospitable environments: Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest of all the continents, though it grants travelers access to some of the most dazzling sights the planet has to offer.

Grey peaks stab out of the wind-carved snow, passing icebergs dot the dark blue waters, and wildlife that can be seen nowhere else reminds you that you’re truly in another world when you are on an Antarctica cruise.

Along the Antarctic coastline, temperatures can reach as high as 10°C (50°F) during a hot summer day. On a regular day, it can plummet to barely above freezing. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be uncomfortable. Our vessels are designed to make your cruise to Antarctica as pleasant as possible, and we’ll give you all the packing info you need to stay warm and dry from beginning to end.

Fun facts to prepare you for your Antarctica cruise

  • Antarctica is larger than Europe
  • Because Antarctica experiences so little precipitation, it is technically a desert
  • The name “Antarctica” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “opposite to north”
  • Almost 62% of the freshwater ice on Earth exists in Antarctica, enough to raise the oceans by about 60 meters (197 feet) if it melted today
  • The coldest temperature ever recorded was at the Antarctic research station Vostok, on July 21, 1983, when the thermometer dropped to -89.2°C (-128.6°F), cold enough to shatter steel
  • Despite the cold, the biggest documented mass of living creatures — a 10,000,000-ton school of krill — was spotted in the Antarctic
  • The first confirmed sighting of Antarctica was in 1820, though it would take almost a century — until 1911, to be exact — before a human being set foot on the continent

Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Antarctica

An Antarctica cruise introduces you to a seldom-seen side of our planet. It means visiting a part of Earth that has remained largely unchanged since Aristotle first wrote of Terra Australis, or the “Land of the South,” centuries before Antarctica would be seen by human eyes.

Taking a cruise to Antarctica also means acquainting yourself with the real survivalists of the Antarctic: the seals, whales, penguins, and other seabirds who call the region home.

Our Antarctica cruises offer you an experience unlike any you have ever had. Whether you’re kayaking among towering icebergs, hiking near inquisitive penguins, or camping beneath the wild polar skies, your cruise to Antarctica will redefine your notion of adventure.

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