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TRAVELLING TO Antarctica Cruises

An Antarctica cruise is the ultimate journey, packed with awe-inspiring wildlife encounters and sensory experiences of indescribable beauty. To see Antarctica is to experience your place in the world from a whole new perspective.

Breathtaking, otherworldly, and life-changing are common phrases travelers use to describe an Antarctic expedition. But when it comes to Antarctica, language fails us. We simply do not possess the capacity to articulate the profound experience of setting foot on the Great Southern Continent. To truly understand, you must see it for yourself.

If you're traveling from the USA or Canada, you can easily fly to South America from many major cities. Most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile. 


WHICH ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION CRUISE IS BEST FOR ME?

Once you’ve decided to go to Antarctica, the next step is to determine which trip is best suited to you.

The key considerations are:

WHICH ANTARCTIC ITINERARY SHOULD I CHOOSE?

As Antarctica specialists with over 20 years of industry experience, we have the largest range of Antarctica expeditions on offer. Chimu staff have first-hand knowledge of the many ways to experience this incredible destination. Depending on your interests, availability, and budget, we can help you decide which itinerary is right for you.

To help get you started, we have listed the four main itineraries that operate in Antarctica:

From South Americamap of Antarctic cruise itineraries from South America
From Australia/NZmap of Antarctic cruise itineraries from Australia and New Zealand

BEST ANTARCTICA CRUISE LOCATIONS

Antartica peninsula cruise

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

(10 - 12 days)

Due to its proximity to South America, the Antarctic Peninsula is the best value and most popular Antarctic destination. The Peninsula is renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. View Cruises

Antarctica Circle glacier

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

(14 - 22 days) 

Cross the fabled Antarctic Circle to the land of the midnight sun. Home to desolate, beautiful landscapes, continually shifting ice, and hardy Weddell seals. View Cruises

 
South Georgia Expedition

SOUTH GEORGIA

(18 - 23 days) 

One of the world’s truly great wildlife areas. South Georgia is home to over 30 million breeding birds, thousands of seals, plus many more amazing creatures. South Georgia is a must-see for many wildlife enthusiasts. View Cruises

Falkland Islands cruise

FALKLAND ISLANDS

(18 - 23 days) 

Often visited alongside South Georgia, the Falklands Islands offers up plenty of natural beauty, wildlife, and intriguing history. View Cruises

 
Antarctica Fly + Cruise

ANTARCTICA FLY CRUISES

(5-9 days) 

For the time poor, or those not keen on a crossing of the famous Drake Passage, but eager to visit the last frontier of Antarctica, flying to King George Island to begin your journey to the Antarctic Peninsula is a fantastic option. View Cruises

East Antarctica Cruise from Australia crossing the Ross Sea

EAST ANTARCTICA & ROSS SEA

(30+ days) 

Perhaps the ultimate Antarctica experience. Voyages to East Antarctica & Ross Sea embrace an icy world of extreme weather, wildlife, scenery and fascinating history as you visit some of the most remote places on earth. These adventures depart from either Australia or New Zealand. View Cruises

 

HOW DO I GET TO ANTARCTICA FROM NORTH AMERICA?

CRUISE FROM SOUTH AMERICA

Have you heard the phrase ‘getting to Antarctica is half the fun?’ If so, you can bet they were referring to crossing the infamous Drake Passage between South America and the South Shetland Islands. These expedition cruises departing from Ushuaia, at the southern tip of South America are the most popular way to get to Antarctica.

You can easily reach Ushuaia from major cities in North America via a stopover in Buenos Aires. 

FLIGHT & CRUISE OPTIONS FROM SOUTH AMERICA

For those hesitant to cross the Drake, there is an option to fly from Patagonia to the South Shetland Islands. From here you can join an expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula.

EXPEDITION CRUISES FROM AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Antarctica cruises departing from Australia & New Zealand offer the most exclusive and unique journey to Antarctica of all. Departing from Hobart (Australia) and Bluff (New Zealand) these expeditions are usually longer and provide exceptional opportunities to see more remote regions of the Peninsula.

Traveling From South AmericaAntarctic cruises departing from South America
Traveling From Australia & New ZealandAntarctic cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO ANTARCTICA?

The best time to travel to Antarctica will depend on the type of experience you prefer, but there is no bad time! Wildlife highlights, length of daylight hours, and the overall feel of your expedition will change dramatically throughout the cruising season (October to March). Read More

Infographic of when to travel to Antarctica
 

EARLY SEASON

(OCTOBER - NOVEMBER)

As an early-season visitor, be rewarded with pristine landing sites, dramatic ice formations, animal courtship routines, and excellent photographic opportunities courtesy of the lightly setting sun. You may see packs of elephant and fur seals marking their breeding territories in the sub-Antarctic islands, and if you’re lucky, you could witness the first major iceberg calvings of the year, a truly breathtaking event.

Beautiful frozen scenery

Less penguin mess

Affordable pricing

Ice can sometimes restrict

MID SEASON

(DECEMBER - JANUARY)

Mid-summer is the most popular time to visit Antarctica. Temperatures are at their warmest, and longer days means there are more opportunities for landings. Expect to see sunbathing seals, adorable penguin hatchlings, and increasing numbers of whales arriving for the summer. Coupled with calmer seas and less sea ice to prevent you from reaching the shore, you can see why many people choose to travel at this time of year. 

Wildlife at its prime

20 hours of sunlight

Peak season pricing

More ships/tourists

LATE SEASON

(FEBRUARY - MARCH)

The weather may be getting colder, but there are plenty of wildlife highlights during the late season. February is peak whale spotting season, seal numbers are up on the Peninsula, and penguin rookeries are bursting at the seams on South Georgia. The shorter days provide sensational sunsets, awesome night-time sky gazing and some of the best value-for-money expeditions of all.

Peak season for whales

Baby penguin & seal pups

Snow melting - can be slushy on landing sites

Penguin mess

WHAT ANTARCTIC SHIP IS BEST FOR ME?

Your choice of expedition vessel will play an essential role in your overall Antarctic experience. For many people setting off on an Antarctic expedition, this is one of the most critical questions. As genuine Antarctica specialists, we have the knowledge and experience to help you get this decision just right.

SIZE

Arguably, the most crucial consideration for any Antarctic expedition. In our opinion, ships carrying 200 guests and under are ideal! There are many restrictions placed on Antarctic expeditions, and the number of passengers on your ship will impact when, where, and how often you can make landfall. 

For example, vessels carrying more than 500 guests are prevented from landing at all. Being able to get off the ship and experience Antarctica up close and personal offers the most immersive and memorable experience. Read More

 

Small ship in Antarctica
 

SMALL SHIPS (200 guests and under)

  • MORE ACCESS TO REMOTE LOCATIONS
  • LESS TIME QUEUEING MORE TIME EXPLORING
  • MORE INTIMATE
  • BETTER SELECTION OF UNIQUE SHORE TOURS
  • LESS ENTERTAINMENT ONBOARD
large cruise ship in Antarctica
 

LARGE SHIPS (more than 200 guests)

  • MORE STABILITY IN ROUGH SEAS
  • MORE FEATURES
  • RESTRICTED ON-SHORE TIME
  • RESTRICTED ACCESS
  • CAN BE CROWDED


Find out more about Antarctic ship sizes here

VIEW All SHIPS

 

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Antarctica CRUISES

Leopard Seal in Antarctica on the ice
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Christmas in Antarctica: Seaventure Itinerary Map
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CHIMU EXCLUSIVE - UP TO 10% OFF / FREE ACTIVITY
12 Days

Christmas in Antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 18 Dec 2025 More x

Antarctica icy landscapes
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Crossing the Antarctic Circle, Seaventure MAP
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CHIMU EXCLUSIVE - UP TO 20% OFF
14 Days

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Antarctic Circle, Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 04 Feb 2026 More x

Bright blue water and icebergs in Antarctica
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Map of Celebrating Antarctica itinerary - MS Seaventure
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12 Days

Very Best of Antarctica 12 Day

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 15 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026 09 Feb 2027 04 Mar 2027 More x

Humpback Whales in the icy waters of Antarctica
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Antarctica Whale Journey Map
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Up to 20% off
11 Days

Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 28 Feb 2026 09 Mar 2026 18 Mar 2026 10 Mar 2027 More x

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Best of Antarctica: Ocean Nova cruise itinerary map
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Up to 15% off
11 Days

Best of Antarctica: The Holy Grail with Mark Seymour

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 06 Dec 2026 More x

Sunrise in Antarctica
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Adventures in Antarctica Itinerary Map
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11 Days

Exploring Antarcticas Spring

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 16 Feb 2026 More x

Antarctica REVIEWS

All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We pride ourselves on our customisable range of Antarctica tours that allow you to tailor the perfect Antarctic experience for your own goals and wishes. We also offer a wide range of tours to suit a diverse array of budgets, from 6 day express cruises, to 35 day expeditions. Speak to one of our consultants who can help you plan your perfect Antarctica cruise, which includes all of the elements you’re looking for in your trip.

To travel to Antarctica from the USA or Canada, most travelers would first fly to Buenos Aires or Santiago, then onto Ushuaia where they will board their ship. There are flights from major North American cities to South America, although some Canadian guests may have to transit through the US. 

Antarctic cruises happens in the Southern Hemisphere summer, from late October through March. Each month brings unique wildlife, shifting icebergs, and varying weather patterns, so you're sure to have an amazing time, no matter when you go. 

We specialize in small ship expedition cruising to Antarctica. Our ships take less than 200 guests, as this way you can maximize your time off the ship and onto the ice, with two excursions each day. Whether you prefer high-end luxury or no frills travel, we can help you find the perfect Antarctic ship. 

Antarctica is an extreme environment and although Antarctic cruises depart during the spring and summer months, the weather can change dramatically, with no warning and so you need to be prepared for conditions in this harsh region. When packing, avoid weighing yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire for your trip that can be worn in layers, including: • Parka jacket - lightweight, wind and weather-resistant shell • Warm trousers - ski pants or sturdy trousers • Waterproof trousers - Gore-Tex or similar waterproof and "breathable" fabrics are recommended • Long thermal underwear - silk or polypropylene is highly recommended • Sweaters - wool sweaters or a polar fleece jacket • Turtlenecks • Mittens and gloves - thin polypropylene gloves underneath warm mittens • Woollen cap and a scarf or balaclava • Warm socks - sturdy, long wool socks and thin pairs of silk, polypropylene or cotton/wool socks • A sturdy, lightweight and waterproof daypack for landings or Zodiac excursions • Sunglasses with U.V. filter • Protective sunscreen for lips, hands and face • Swimsuit for hotels, aboard some ships and (maybe) for a polar plunge • Camera with spare batteries and memory cards • Extra pair of prescription glasses • Prescription medicines and other remedies such as seasickness medication • Binoculars • Zip lock plastic bags or dry sacks for carrying camera, batteries, etc. • T-shirts or other casual warm weather clothes • Clothes for gateway cities

The length of an Antarctic cruise varies, but most Antarctic Peninsula cruises are 11-13 days. Cruises that include the Falkland Islands and South Georgia are longer, around 21 days. 

Chimu Adventures are the Antarctica specialists and an Associate Member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. We offer the largest range of vessels, an experienced, expert team of travel enthusiasts, and comprehensive, flexible itineraries, tailoring each cruise to your wishes and making your Antarctic Cruise unique and unforgettable.

All of our tours are 100% tried and tested to ensure that when you travel with us, you’re doing so in a controlled and safe environment with trained experts. We consistently monitor weather conditions and will always provide you with the best possible adventure without risk of injury to you or the vessel. While some activities may need to be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, every effort is made to have a contingency plan should such conditions become a reality during your expeditions. We’ve been the experts in Antarctic travel for over 20 years and use our vast experience and knowledge when picking the vessels we sell to provide you with an adventure that’s unforgettable for all the right reasons.

It is true that at times the Drake Passage can produce turbulent seas, but our vessels are built for maximum stability and comfort to ensure that even in rough conditions, sea and motion sickness are kept to a minimum at all times. We also have a host of services and facilities available should symptoms befall you. It also might be possible to fly over the Drake Passage, so speak to one of our Destination Specialists for more information.