Have questions? We're here.
Whale watching in Antarctica

Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey

Ushuaia Roundtrip - Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Endeavour
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Antarctica trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Enter the frozen wilderness of the White Continent, where you see amazing, sculptured icebergs, thunderous calving glaciers, imposing mountain ranges and ice-strewn waters, all lie in wait. Explore on foot, by kayak, snowshoe and Zodiac. Sailing and cruising by Zodiac, scan the icy waters for the silhouettes of these mighty marine mammals as it glide alongside the vessels or surface the waters in a spectacular breach. Can you imagine the thrill and excitement of kayaking alongside one of these majestic creatures? Not forgetting encounters with curious penguins, basking seals and many fascinating seabirds. This is the trip of a lifetime for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
Seal relaxing on the iceWhale watching in AntarcticaZodiac cruising in polar watersA whale plays near the surface at dusk.Capturing the beautiful polar sceneryHumpback whale emerges from polar watersWhale watching in Antarctica
Highlights
  • Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, mountains, and glaciers
  • Take in the sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
  • Visit unspoiled wilderness to see penguins, seals, whales and seabirds
  • Experience the White Continent and enjoy amazing photo opportunities
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Welcome to Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica. Take your included transfer from the airport to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll meet fellow guests and the local team in Ushuaia during a welcome briefing at your hotel. If you have some time to spare before the meeting, it is suggested you head downtown to do some souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavors at one of Ushuaia's fantastic local restaurants.
An arrival transfer from the airport on day one is included in your voyage fare. Please speak to an Intrepid booking agent to organize this.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Enjoy some free time to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area before boarding the Ocean Endeavour this afternoon. Once settled, you’ll cast off and make your way through the Beagle Channel towards the infamous Drake Passage. Named after Charles Darwin’s historic ship The Beagle, the deep open water of the channel presents many great photo opportunities.
Be sure to wave goodbye to South America if you're not too busy snapping away at the incredible landscapes – your next land sighting is the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Day 3-4: At Sea - Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The Drake Passage is one of the most famous bodies of water on the planet. It can be a little rough, but if weather conditions are good, you can head out on the outer decks for a chance to spot ocean dwellers like whales and dolphins, or perhaps seabirds including the spectacular wandering albatross, prions and petrels.
Over the next two days, you'll get to know your expedition team experts as the comprehensive lecture program gets underway. The polar experts share their knowledge of the Antarctic region so you can gain a great understanding of its wildlife, history and geology and help prepare you for the adventure that lies ahead.
Your expedition team are experts on the marine life that inhabit these parts and help scout for sightings as you join them on the Ocean Endeavour's bridge and spacious outer decks. With favorable conditions, you are scheduled to arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula late on the evening of day four.

Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands | Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
The Antarctic Peninsula is known for a high number of wildlife sightings in front of stunning backdrops of mountains, icy landscapes and water, which combine to provide incredible scenes as you search for whales migrating along the coast.
The peak of the migration season (February and March) is the best opportunity to see these majestic ocean dwellers, as all Antarctic whale species migrate long distances, feeding in the cold, nutrient-rich Southern Ocean during the southern summer. The most common species found in the region are humpback, minke and fin whales, as well as orcas.
As whale season is in full swing, you may like to participate in one of the exciting on-board citizen science projects, the Happy Whale Project, where you can upload photos of whale’s tails (flukes) online, along with details of where the images are taken, which are then used to analyze and identify the individual whale and track its movement across the oceans. Sightings can happen from the outer decks of the ship or during a Zodiac excursion, or on the ship's bridge with your captain, where the open bridge policy allows you into the command center of the Ocean Endeavour for a look at the inner workings of your expedition and access to the best place to spot whales.
An average day on board begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7:00 a.m., giving you time to prepare for the day before joining fellow guests for breakfast in the Polaris Restaurant. You usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.

Day 9-10: At Sea - Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
As the Ocean Endeavour starts its return journey north to the home port of Ushuaia, now is your time to reflect on your amazing journey. You are scheduled to reach the relatively calm waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of day ten.
This evening, your final meal together in the Polaris restaurant is often a highlight of the Antarctic adventurers, so live it up and enjoy it as you celebrate an incredible adventure with fellow guests and expedition team members.

Day 11: Ushuaia | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark the Ocean Endeavour after breakfast as your Antarctic expedition comes to an end and the memories of an amazing adventure begin. Transfer to Ushuaia airport is included if you are departing today.
A departure transfer to the airport is included in your voyage fare if you are flying out today. Please speak to an Intrepid booking agent to organize this.
If you are flying out today, please do not book your flight to depart Ushuaia before midday in case of any delays caused by unfavorable weather conditions.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Endeavour

Ushuaia - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Ocean Endeavour - Cat 1 Quad
Select a Date
Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
Ocean Endeavour - Cat 2 Triple
Select a Date
Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
Interior Twin cabin on the Ocean Endeavour
Select a Date
Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
Exterior Twin Cabin on the Ocean Endeavour
Select a Date
Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
Exterior Twin Cabin on the Ocean Endeavour
Select a Date
Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Comfort Twin cabin on board Ocean Endeavour
Select a Date
Comfort Twin - Category 6
Deck four: Two portholes windows, unobstructed view, two lower berths - 175 sq.ft. Deck seven: picture window, partial view, two lower berths- 135 sq.ft. Deck eight: Picture windows, obstructed view, matrimonial bed, pvt. bath, fridge - 160 sq.ft.
Top Deck Twin on the Ocean Endeavour
Select a Date
Select Twin - Category 7
Deck five. Picture windows, unobstructed view, two lower berths, approx. 190 sq. ft. Deck eight: oversize windows, partially obstruction view, matrimonial bed, private bath, refrigerator - approx. 145 sq. ft.
Superior Twin on the Ocean Endeavour
Select a Date
Superior Twin - Category 8
Deck five. Two picture windows, unobstructed view, two lower berths, sitting area- 210 sq.ft. Deck seven: forward-facing windows with unobstructed view, matrimonial, private bath w/full tub- 180 sq.ft. Deck seven midship: picture windows, partially obstructed view, matrimonial, private bath, fridge - 190 sq.ft
Ocean Endeavour Cabin Category 9
Select a Date
Junior Suite - Category 9
Deck five: Picture windows, unobstructed views, matrimonial bed, sitting area- approx. 270 sq. ft. Deck seven: forward-facing picture windows, views, matrimonial bed, private bath w/full tub, sitting area, private bath, refrigerator - approx. 290 sq. ft.
Ocean Endeavour Cabin Category 10
Select a Date
Suite - Category 10
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • It is mandatory to have emergency evacuation and medical insurance to travel with Adventure Canada. It is recommended to obtain a basic minimum coverage of $500,000 on all cruises.

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

Antarctica Travel Guide

Favorite Antarctica All Trips

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By