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Where Shackletons spent four months

Elephant Island Small Ship Cruises, Arctic Expeditions, & Tours

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Take a small ship cruise to the picturesque Elephant Island located in Antarctica, south of the Falkland Islands and North of the Antarctic Peninsula. This island was named after migratory seals that live on the island with no significant flora or fauna. On your cruise to Elephant Island, expect to see amazing glaciers with pink algae surrounding them. Additionally, Elephant Island is home to several chinstrap penguin rookeries and more than 2,000-year-old moss colonies. Elephant Island is also well-known for serving as a refuge for Ernest Shackleton and his crew in 1916, where they spent over four months stranded on the island before they were rescued by a supply ship. Consider cruising Antarctica on a small ship cruise in order to be able to access smaller ports, passages, and coves. Contact our Trip Planners to start planning your ideal trip today!
All Elephant Island Cruises & Tours

10 Best Elephant Island Cruises & Tours

All Elephant Island Cruises & Tours
Penguins at the Weddell Sea

Remote Weddell Sea Explorer

28 Days from $26,500
Embark on a 28-day Antarctic expedition roundtrip Ushuaia aboard MV Ortelius. Explore the Weddell Sea with its clear waters and massive tabular icebergs formed by the continent's floating ice sheets. Walk in the footsteps of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, visit South Georgia with its abundance of wildlife, and ultimately reach Elephant Island.
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Midnight sun over the flat-topped icebergs of the Weddell Sea

Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia & Antarctica

20 Days from $15,995
Embark on a 20-day cruise exploring the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia aboard the Magellan Explorer. Spot diverse wildlife including king, gentoo, and rockhopper penguins, along with albatross and seals. Visit remote islands like Saunders, West Point Island, and Elephant Island.
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Two Glacier Mountains symmetrically reflecting in the Antarctic water

South Georgia & Antarctica: Through the Lens - Fly/Sail Expedition

20 Days from $33,195
Join a 20-day Fly/Sail photography expedition cruise on the Greg Mortimer, exploring the stunning landscapes of South Georgia and Antarctica. Capture breathtaking wildlife and surreal scenes in one of the world's most pristine environments, perfect for photographers of all skill levels.
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Two elephant seals growling on a rocky South Georgia shoreline

South Georgia & Antarctic Sail and Fly Cruise

16 Days from $22,995
Join the 16-day Polar Athena sail & fly expedition from Port Stanley, sailing across the Southern Ocean to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Experience wildlife, glaciers, and penguin colonies with expert-led excursions before flying from King George Island back to Puerto Natales.
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Shackleton's Walk

In Shackleton’s Footsteps

20 Days from $30,595
Embark on a 20-day Antarctic cruise aboard Sylvia Earle, retracing Sir Ernest Shackleton's legendary journey from the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia. Experience wildlife sightings, including King Penguins and seals, while visiting historic sites like the Endurance shipwreck and Elephant Island.
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Abandoned whaling village of Stromness, South Georgia

Antarctica and South Georgia Air-Cruise

18 Days from $15,995
Let the clear Antarctic air fill your lungs on this magical 18-day cruise aboard the brand new Magellan Explorer. Admire the spectacular landscapes ad unique wildlife of one of the most remote locations on the planet. Starting in Punta Arenas, discovering Antarctica, South Georgia and finally disembarking back in Ushuaia.
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King penguins on South Georgia

In Shackleton's Footsteps

20 Days from $30,295
Set sail on a 20-day expedition cruise on the Douglas Mawson, retracing Shackleton’s path through the Antarctic. Explore stunning landscapes, wildlife encounters, and enjoy guided excursions, culminating in a scenic return to Ushuaia.
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Landscape during Antarctica tour

South Georgia and Antarctica - Round Trip Puerto Williams

17 Days from $18,900
This 17-day Antarctic trip on Silver Cloud takes you to South Georgia, the Antarctic Sound, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Elephant Island, where you might encounter seabirds, whales, penguins, glaciers, and icebergs.
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Albatross in the arctic.

Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

15 Days from $11,200
On this 15-day Antarctic expedition voyage aboard the MV Plancius, travel to remote polar coasts and witness magnificent scenery and animals. Explore Point Wild, Devil Island, Erebus, and Terror Gulf, as well as Vega Island. Continue your exploration of the Orleans Strait, Port Monuments, Crystal Sound, and the Yalour Islands.
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A group of penguins in the Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica

23 Days from $17,050
Join MV Hondius on a 23-day sailing adventure that allows you to discover and explore Antarctica, passing from the Falkland Island to Polar Circle. Experience some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth and enjoy close encounters with Gentoo and Adélie penguins, brown skuas, leopard seals, along with humpback and minke whales.
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5 Best Elephant Island Cruises & Tours Deals

Trip Name From Days Summary
In Shackleton's Footsteps $30,295 20 Set sail on a 20-day expedition cruise on the Douglas Mawson, retracing Shackleton’s path through the Antarctic. Explore stunning landscapes, wildlife encounters, and enjoy guided excursions, culminating in a scenic return to Ushuaia.
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Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica $14,500 19 Embark on a 19-day cruise from Ushuaia to see black-browed albatrosses in the Falkland Islands, explore Port Stanley, visit South Georgia's king penguin colonies, marvel at Weddell Sea icebergs, and meet elephant seals. Experience an unforgettable adventure aboard the Ortelius!
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Remote Weddell Sea Explorer $26,500 28 Embark on a 28-day Antarctic expedition roundtrip Ushuaia aboard MV Ortelius. Explore the Weddell Sea with its clear waters and massive tabular icebergs formed by the continent's floating ice sheets. Walk in the footsteps of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, visit South Georgia with its abundance of wildlife, and ultimately reach Elephant Island.
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In Shackleton’s Footsteps $30,595 20 Embark on a 20-day Antarctic cruise aboard Sylvia Earle, retracing Sir Ernest Shackleton's legendary journey from the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia. Experience wildlife sightings, including King Penguins and seals, while visiting historic sites like the Endurance shipwreck and Elephant Island.
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South Georgia & Antarctica: Through the Lens - Fly/Sail Expedition $33,195 20 Join a 20-day Fly/Sail photography expedition cruise on the Greg Mortimer, exploring the stunning landscapes of South Georgia and Antarctica. Capture breathtaking wildlife and surreal scenes in one of the world's most pristine environments, perfect for photographers of all skill levels.
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Elephant Island & Antarctica Travel Guide

Penguins in front of the Orlova and Ocean Nova

History of Antarctica

No single nation controls Antarctica, nor does the continent have any nations of its own. Learn more about the continent and numerous expeditions attempted throughout history in untamed Antarctica.
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A humpback whale feeds on krill in Antarctic waters

Whales of the Antarctic

One of the highlights of any expedition into the Antarctic waters is whale-watching. These majestic creatures can be spotted breaching the water in magnificent displays as they blast air and water high into the sky. If you’re lucky, they might even swim close to your ship.
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Watching seal during Antarctic trip

Seals of Antarctica

The seals that populate the Southern Ocean flourish in the nutrient rich waters of the Antarctic. With diets that range from krill and small fish to even penguins and other seal pups, they are expert divers and can be seen lounging or breeding on the ice when they are not submerged deep beneath the pack ice hunting for food.
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The penguins line up as you cruise by

Birds of the Antarctic

From small snow petrels to the great wandering albatrosses, the seabirds of Antarctica are some of the most well adapted species on the planet, thriving in the strong sub-zero winds and icy waters of the polar region.
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