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Top South Shetland Islands Trips & Tours

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Select one of the below 138 best South Shetland Islands trips for 2026 and 2027. Your local English-speaking guide will lead your small group or personalized private tour on an extraordinary adventure exploring South Shetland Islands. Our South Shetland Islands trips for 2026 feature Wildlife Viewing, Whale Watching, Kayaking, Photography Seminars, and Citizen Science, and start from $5,490 for trips of 6 to 34 days. Contact Adventure Life's South Shetland Islands trip planning experts to start planning your next seamless trip.

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    • South Shetland Islands
Icebergs at sunset
from $15,995
Save $5000
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Classic Antarctica Air Cruise

Punta Arenas Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Magellan Explorer
  • Cruise the South Shetland Islands
  • View penguins, seals, and whales
  • Attend lectures and presentations
  • Explore the Antarctic landscape
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on this 8-day Antarctica cruise by air and have an adventure with the Magellan Explorer. Fly over the Drake Passage round-trip from Punta Arenas to King George Island where you meet your ship. Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula as you search for wildlife and explore stunning landscapes.
Cruise Details
0
Zodiac tour through the icebergs.
from $30,195
EBD
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Across the Antarctic Circle: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition

Roundtrip Punta Arenas - 11 Day Itinerary aboard MV Douglas Mawson
  • Fly over the Drake Passage
  • Fly over Southern Ocean
  • Discover the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Witness the Antarctic wildlife
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activities
Snorkeling
Activity Level
Variable
Join an 11-day Antarctic expedition on the Douglas Mawson, flying over the Drake Passage for deeper exploration below the Antarctic Circle. Experience stunning icebergs, unique wildlife, and the isolation of the deep south through daily Zodiac cruises.
Cruise Details
0
Gentoo penguins coming ashore at Neko Harbour, Graham Land, Antarctica
from $24,595
EBD
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Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition

Roundtrip Punta Arenas - 10 Day Itinerary aboard MV Douglas Mawson
  • Explore Punta Arenas historic charm
  • Witness Antarctica’s icebergs
  • Visit Antarctic penguin rookeries
  • Witness the Antarctic wildlife
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activities
Scuba Diving
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 10-day Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake – Fly/Fly Expedition roundtrip from Punta Arenas aboard the Douglas Mawson, flying over the Drake Passage to maximize exploration time. Discover stunning icebergs, abundant wildlife, and the breathtaking landscapes of this remote region.
Cruise Details
0
Air Cruise Flight
from $24,995
Save $5000
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Polar Circle Air Cruise

Punta Arenas Roundtrip - 10 Day Itinerary aboard Magellan Explorer
  • Attempt to cross the Polar Circle
  • Cruise along fjords & icebergs
  • Search for polar wildlife
  • View presentations by polar guides
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activity Level
Variable
Bypass the Drake Passage by flying directly to the South Shetland Islands. Exit the airplane to a world unlike any other on earth; ice-filled fjords, penguin rookeries, and great expanses of ice await. Sail as far south as possible in an attempt to reach the Polar Circle. Flexibility is key to a successful voyage as conditions can change quickly.
Cruise Details
0
Cruising in the zodiac looking for wildlife
from $14,303
HALF DEP
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Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage

Roundtrip Puerto Natales - 9 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Orion
  • Skip the traditional Drake Passage
  • Explore into channels and coves
  • Experience activities
  • Explore Antarctica's wildlife
Starts / Ends
Puerto Natales / Puerto Natales
Activity Level
Variable
This 9-day Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage, round trip from Puerto Natales aboard the National Geographic Orion, offers an efficient way to experience Antarctica. Travelers fly directly, bypassing the Drake Passage, to explore channels, coves, watch for whales, and navigate icebergs on Zodiac cruises.
Cruise Details
0
The wildlife was so abundant it was difficult to land.
from $17,803
HALF DEP
EXPLORE

Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage

Roundtrip Puerto Natales - 10 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Orion
  • Skip the traditional Drake Passage
  • Explore into channels and coves
  • Experience activities
  • Explore Antarctica's wildlife
  • Seven days Antarctic experience
Starts / Ends
Puerto Natales / Puerto Natales
Activity Level
Variable
The 10-day Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage Cruise, roundtrip from Puerto Natales aboard the National Geographic Orion, is an amazing way to discover Antarctica. Travelers fly directly, avoiding the Drake Passage, to explore channels and coves, observe whales, and maneuver around icebergs on Zodiac cruises.
Cruise Details
0
Penguin chicks
from $29,795
Save $5000
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Polar Circle Air Cruise

Roundtrip Punta Arenas - 10 Day Itinerary aboard Magellan Discoverer
  • Round-trip Air-Cruise
  • Wildlife Encounters
  • Zodiac Excursions and Hikes
  • Enriching Experiences
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activity Level
Variable
On this 10-day Polar Circle Air Cruise aboard the Magellan Discoverer, fly directly to the South Shetland Islands, skipping the Drake Passage, and witness fjords, penguin colonies, and vast icy landscapes. Sail southward to reach the Polar Circle, embracing the flexibility required to adapt to ever-changing conditions for a memorable trip.
Cruise Details
0
We had some incredible weather on our trip. This day was calm and sunny - perfect for reflections and reflecting.
from $20,995
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Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air

Roundtrip Puerto Natales - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Aureum
  • Sail the scenic Gerlache Strait
  • Fly to remote King George Island
  • Explore Deception Island
  • Navigate the Lemaire Channel
Starts / Ends
Puerto Natales / Puerto Natales
Activities
Wildlife Viewing, Hiking, Whale Watching, Kayaking, Photography Seminars
Activity Level
Variable
Join an 11-day fly-cruise expedition on the Explorer Yacht Aureum, starting with a two-hour flight to King George Island, bypassing the Drake Passage. Spend seven days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and its wildlife, including penguins and seals, with expert photography guidance.
Cruise Details
0
An ocean of icebergs.
from $13,495
Save 15%
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Complete Antarctica: Fly In, Sail Out

Punta Arenas - Ushuaia - 9 Day Itinerary aboard Ocean Nova
  • Cross Drake Passage flight
  • Explore Antarctic Peninsula sites
  • Observe penguins seals whales
  • Tour South Shetland Islands
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Ushuaia
Activities
Citizen Science
Activity Level
Variable
Travel 9 days from Punta Arenas, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina aboard Ocean Nova. Fly across the Drake Passage, explore Antarctica and the South Shetland Islands, and observe penguins, seals, and whales. Take part in guided landings, Zodiac excursions, and educational sessions with polar experts.
Cruise Details
0
An expedition moment in the icy waters of Antarctica
from $21,295
EBD
EXPLORE

Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition

Roundtrip Punta Arenas - 8 Day Itinerary aboard MV Douglas Mawson
  • Discover Punta Arenas
  • Fly across the Drake Passage
  • Spot iceberg in Antarctic Peninsula
  • Witness the Antarctic wildlife
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activity Level
Variable
Experience the Antarctic Peninsula on an 8-day Fly/Fly expedition aboard the Douglas Mawson, avoiding the rough Drake Passage. After a scenic flight over the Southern Ocean, quickly board your vessel to explore glaciers, penguin rookeries, and spot whales.
Cruise Details
0
Sunset and icebergs during Antarctica cruise
from $12,611
HALF DEP
EXPLORE

Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage

Roundtrip Puerto Natales - 8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Explorer
  • Skip the traditional Drake Passage
  • Explore into channels and coves
  • Experience activities
  • Explore Antarctica's wildlife
Starts / Ends
Puerto Natales / Puerto Natales
Activity Level
Variable
Explore Antarctica on this 8-day Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage cruise, and bypass the traditional Drake Passage with a two-hour flight. Join experts aboard the National Geographic Explorer, venturing into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Enjoy activities like whale watching, Zodiac cruising around icebergs and hiking.
Cruise Details
0
Brown Bluff and Speret Islands, Antartica
from $19,387
EXPLORE

Drake Express

King George Roundtrip - 10 Day Itinerary aboard World Navigator
  • Explore Beak Island’s stark terrain
  • Visit Elephant Island
  • Explore Deception Island’s
  • Witness Gentoo penguin rookeries
Starts / Ends
Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 10-day Drake Express cruise aboard World Navigator, land at remote research stations, and witness abundant wildlife. This flexible itinerary brings you face-to-face with penguins, seals, and massive icebergs in some of the world’s most untouched places.
Cruise Details
0
1-12 of 138 Results

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Franny F.
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