ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – WEDDELL SEA EXPLORATION
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ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – WEDDELL SEA EXPLORATION
Spend more time exploring the remote, ice-filled Weddell Sea—where immense Adélie penguin colonies and towering tabular icebergs create a world beyond imagination.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 - 2 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Transfer from airport, overnight hotel, board the ship on Day 2 |
| Days 3 - 4 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage, attend presentations and meet fellow travellers |
| Days 5 - 9 | Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea | Massive tabular icebergs, penguin colonies, various species of seals, whales and birds |
| Days 10 - 11 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage, watch for seabirds from the deck |
| Day 12 | Ushuaia | Disembark and continue your onwards journey |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Ocean Explorer
The Ocean Explorer is the newest addition to the Quark fleet, offering modern and elegant design. This 138 passenger vessel is purpose-built for polar exploration, featuring well-appointed and spacious public areas and ample outdoor viewing areas for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.
Days 1 – 2 Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia at any time on Day 1 and be transferred from the airport to your hotel for the night.
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon of Day 2, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, transecting the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be at the world’s most southern continent.
Days 3 – 4 At Sea
You have many options of activities during the 800-km (500 mile) Drake crossing. As you gain your sea legs, the Expedition Team will begin their series of presentations to help prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, a boundary that fluctuates around 60° south. This is also a great opportunity to meet your fellow travellers—many of whom will become friends by the voyage end.
Days 5 – 9 Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea
One word best describes the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Sound: immense. That applies equally to the ice formations, penguin colonies, and vast stretches of sea. You will encounter massive tabular icebergs that calve from ice shelves— and many will dwarf the Ocean Explorer. Some in the Weddell Sea reach the size of a football field or larger.
In the northwest corner of the Weddell Sea, penguin colonies can number in the tens of thousands. Adélie and Gentoo penguins are found here, and you’ll have chances to spot chinstraps. The Weddell Sea is less visited than the Gerlache Strait, not for lack of beauty, but due to its ever-shifting ice. While penguins are the priority—but ice will guide your course.
The Weddell Sea is known for superb birdwatching—especially cape, snow, and southern giant petrels—and the chance to spot Weddell, crabeater, or leopard seals onshore or catching rides on the drifting ice. When ice opens in the Weddell Sea’s northwest, whales follow—lured by the feeding opportunities. Humpbacks and minkes are most common, with occasional killer whales. Conditions may also allow us to explore areas frequented by fin whales, and possibly southern rights.
For historians, the Weddell Sea brims with stories—from Shackleton’s legendary Endurance survival to far older histories told by the 60-million-year-old fossils on The Naze, Vega Island, and Cockburn Island. Volcanic activity has painted these sites—as well as Brown Bluff on the Peninsula’s mainland—in rich reds, burnt oranges, and chocolate browns. In a landscape dominated by white, gray, and blue, these colors add a vivid layer to a region steeped in both human and ancient geological history. This itinerary offers the best of a polar expedition—soak in the vastness of the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Sound from your ship, then get up close to stunning geological formations by Zodiac or kayak.
Days 10 – 11 At Sea
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air, spend time on the outer deck watching for seabirds and whales, or attending one of the expert-led polar presentations.
Day 12 Ushuaia
Your ship is scheduled to arrive in Ushuaia between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Once the ship has docked, you will bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing your disembarkation. You are then free to take advantage of the included transfer to the airport or, depending on the time of your flight, explore the town on your own and take a taxi to the airport later.
We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.
Extend your trip to Patagonia
To make the most of your time in South America we can tailor a holiday to Patagonia to suit your voyage dates. If you have a bit more time we can create a tailor-made itinerary to some of the highlights of South America. Take a look at the Patagonia sample itineraries below and contact us to begin creating your perfect holiday.
