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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 travel specialists to start planning your ideal today!

10 Best Elephant Islands Arctic Cruises, Trips, & Tours for 2025-2026

Penguins in Antarctica

Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer

11 Days from $9,600
Board MV Plancius in Ushuaia for an 11-day Antarctic adventure, sailing through the Beagle Channel and across the Drake Passage. Explore historic sites like Point Wild and the Weddell Sea, spot whales, seals, and seabirds, and witness stunning landscapes, including Antarctic Sound, Brown Bluff, and Devil Island, before returning to Ushuaia.
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In Shackleton’s Footsteps

20 Days from $24,695
Embark on a 20-day expedition cruise, retracing Shackleton's odyssey through the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, Elephant Island, and South Georgia. Explore icebergs and observe South Georgia's diverse wildlife. Conclude with a hike from Fortuna Bay to the abandoned Stromness whaling station, following Shackleton's final leg across South Georgia.
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Midnight sun over the flat-topped icebergs of the Weddell Sea

Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia & Antarctica

20 Days from $14,995
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, Carcass, and Elephant Island.
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Adele Penguin King of the Hill

Exploring the Last Continent

12 Days from $14,599
Join a 12-day Exploring the Last Continent cruise board the World Traveller, starting in Ushuaia, Argentina. Cross the Drake Passage to Antarctica, exploring wildlife and volcanic landscapes in the South Shetland Islands, with possible stops at Deception Island and Elephant Island. The trip continues to the Antarctic Peninsula and ends in Ushuaia.
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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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Adelie penguin on ice

Quest for the Weddell Sea

13 Days from $11,795
Embark on a 13-day Quest for the Weddell Sea cruise roundtrip from Ushuaia aboard the Ocean Albatros. Cross the Drake Passage, explore the Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea, and Antarctic Peninsula, and enjoy Zodiac excursions, penguin sightings, whale watching, and historic sites.
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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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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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Colony of black-browed albratross on the Falklands

Classic Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica

22 Days from $9,990
Embark the MV Ushuaia for a classic 22-day expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Encounter abundant and diverse wildlife and unique ecosystems on this voyage of a lifetime!
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8 Best Elephant Islands Arctic Cruise, Trip, & Tour Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle $16,950 23 Feb 16, 2026 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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Remote Weddell Sea Explorer $26,500 28 Jan 22, 2026 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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Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica $14,500 19 Dec 11, 2025 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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Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica - Round Trip Puerto Williams $22,100 20 Nov 07, 2025 Visit South Georgia, the Antarctic Sound, Antarctic Peninsula, and Elephant Island on this 20-day exploration cruise. Witness diverse seabirds, whales, penguins, and marvel at the fantastic scenery of glaciers and icebergs aboard the Silver Cloud Expedition.
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Antarctica Peninsula - Round Trip Puerto Williams $22,300 20 Nov 04, 2025 Set sail on a 20-day cruise aboard the Silver Wind, visiting the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Elephant Island, rich in wildlife and history—Experience Antarctica’s remote wilderness for five days before returning via the Drake Passage.
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Exploring the Last Continent $12,599 13 Nov 19, 2025 Embark on a 13-day Antarctic cruise aboard World Navigator. Each day brings new discoveries as you explore one of the most remote places on Earth.
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Exploring the Last Continent $12,199 13 Nov 13, 2025 Explore Antarctica on a 13-day expedition cruise aboard World Traveller and experience remote landings, Zodiac safaris, and rare wildlife encounters as your Captain navigates ice-filled waters. Discover volcanic caldera on Deception Island, penguin colonies on Barrientos Island, and massive glaciers in Cierva Cove.
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Antarctic & Falklands Adventure $20,399 20 Mar 02, 2026 Embark on a 20-day Antarctic & Falklands Adventure cruise aboard World Navigator. Travel aboard an expedition ship, exploring icy coastlines, penguin-covered beaches, and remote Patagonian outposts. This immersive voyage invites you to experience some of the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations.
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Elephant Island & Antarctica Travel Guide

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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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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Antarctica Travel Guide

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