Overnight Camping in Antarctica
Spend one night on the ice in a bivouac, with all equipment provided, for an additional fee of roughly $150–$300.
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Hiking in Antarctica
Hiking is available on most voyages as part of shore landings, led by expedition guides, and ranges from casual walks to more demanding terrain depending on the site and your fitness level.
Snowshoeing in Antarctica
Snowshoeing is a group activity led by expedition guides, requires no prior experience, and is available on many ships as an included or low-cost add-on.
Mountaineering in Antarctica
Most activities in Antarctica are accessible to almost anyone. Mountaineering is the exception. It's also the one that puts you in terrain no other passenger on the ship will reach.
Skiing in Antarctica
Skiing and ski touring in Antarctica are offered by a small number of operators on select departures, primarily in the early season, and require prior ski experience.
What Is the Polar Plunge?
The polar plunge is a voluntary jump into near-freezing seawater. It's free, it's brief, and it's one of the more universally beloved moments of any voyage.
Helicopter Flightseeing and Landings
Helicopter flightseeing and heli-landings are available on a small number of ships, at additional cost, and are subject to weight limits, medical clearance, and weather conditions.
Submarine Excursions in Antarctica
Submarine excursions are available on a small number of ships, carry roughly six passengers per dive, run 40–60 minutes below the surface, and cost $499–$1,000 per person depending on the operator.
Photography in Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the most extraordinary places on earth to make photographs, with conditions and access unlike anywhere else, and a few rules that are non-negotiable.
What Is Citizen Science in Antarctica?
Citizen science programs invite passengers to contribute to real, active research projects in wildlife monitoring, ocean health, and climate data, at no additional cost, no experience required.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If something goes wrong before, during, or after your voyage, the sequence is simple: get sad if you need to, then call your travel agent, then call your insurance provider. In that order. Document everything.
Medical Emergencies at Sea: What to Expect
Medical emergencies happen on Antarctic ships every single season, are more common on larger ships by simple probability, and are handled by capable professionals in limited conditions. If your trip is interrupted by one, the appropriate response is empathy, not outrage.
What Visiting Antarctica Does to People
Antarctica tends to reorder people's sense of scale, both literally and figuratively. Most travelers return quieter about some things and louder about others.
How to Describe Your Antarctica Trip
At some point after you return, on the plane home, in the car from the airport, a week later when the laundry is done and the bags are put away, you’ll try to explain what Antarctica was like to someone who wasn't there. This is harder than it sounds.
Antarctica 21
Chilean-owned pioneer of fly-cruise voyages, operating since 2003, with two new boutique ships capped at 76 guests, and an exclusive pre-departure center in Punta Arenas.
Antarpply Expeditions
Argentine-owned Antarctica-only operator since 1997, running entry-level Peninsula voyages on the oldest active expedition ship in the Antarctic fleet, with bilingual Spanish/English programming.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
US-headquartered, Portuguese-owned boutique operator since 2019, with three sister ships, a strong culinary focus, all-inclusive pricing.
Aurora Expeditions
Australian-owned operator running global expeditions. In Antarctica since 1991, with a three-ship fleet of X-Bows and one of the widest activity programs in the Antarctica market.
G Adventures
Canadian-owned global adventure operator with a single Antarctica ship since 2005, with one of the most accessible price points in the market via quad cabin shares.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
German ultra-luxury expedition operator since 1970, running bilingual German/English voyages with a three-ship HANSEATIC fleet.
Heritage Expeditions
New Zealand-owned operator specializing in Ross Sea and Subantarctic expeditions with naturalist-led programming and a strong conservation and citizen science focus.
HX Expeditions
Norway-based operator spun-off from Hurtigruten in 2023, running large hybrid-powered ships of up to 500 passengers with an all-inclusive model and expedition team ethos.
Lindblad Expeditions / Nat Geo
US-based publicly traded operator with Antarctica roots stretching to 1966, running premium National Geographic-branded expeditions with photo instructors and nature experts on every departure.
Noble Caledonia
UK-owned cultural expedition operator since 1991, running adult-only voyages on a single intimate 108-guest ship with a strongly British passenger focus.