Antarctic Peninsula with South Shetland Islands

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

During these two days, sail across the Drake Passage. Then cross the Antarctic Convergence, arriving in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area you may see wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled albatrosses, Cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, spot the first icebergs.

Sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, find a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas. If the ship lands on Danco Island, observe gentoo penguins and possibly Weddell and crabeater seals. In Neko Harbour, have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers calving at sea level. Enjoy the landscape surrounded by alpine peaks during zodiac cruises. In Paradise Bay again with its myriad icebergs, have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent again. Have the opportunity for a zodiac cruise in the inner parts of this amazing water way. In this area you have good chances to see humpback whales and minke whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, get a chance to visit the old British research station, now a living museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy land on Jougla Point with gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. This area offers excellent opportunities for kayaking and camping. When the snow conditions allow, use snowshoes on regular landings which vastly improves mobility and safety in heavy snow conditions.

The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often shrouded in mist, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels. In Deception Island the ship braves into the entrance of the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellows. Deception itself is a sub-ducted crater which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here, find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape petrels and many kelp gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Alternatively you may land at Hannah Point at Livingston Island. The area is closed off to visitors for part of the season as it is a high density wildlife area with species such as chinstrap penguins, gentoo penguins, and southern elephant seals. Around noon, depart for the Drake Passage.

On your way north enjoy again a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark after breakfast.