Antarctica Group Tours & Cruises

Q: How long are vacations to Antarctica?

Most of Explore's Antarctica expedition tours run between 10 and 23 days depending on your chosen itinerary and whether you cross the Drake Passage or opt for a fly and cruise route. The journey itself is an important part of the experience, as you trace the routes of history’s greatest explorers.

Q: When is the best time to book an Antarctica vacation?

The Antarctic travel season runs from November through March. Early season brings pristine snowscapes and nesting penguins, while mid-season offers peak wildlife activity and the best ice conditions for navigation. While the interior is frozen, coastal summer temperatures are surprisingly mild, often hovering around 32°F.

Q: What is Antarctica like in Winter?

Antarctica's winter spans from March to September. During this time, much of the continent is plunged into near-total darkness, with interior temperatures plummeting to -76°F and beyond — cold enough to freeze mercury thermometers and turn a cup of boiling water into a cloud of ice before it even hits the ground!

Q: What wildlife can I see on a trip to Antarctica?

Wildlife encounters are at the heart of every Antarctica tour. Depending on the season and location, expect to see multiple penguin species, humpback and minke whales, leopard and Weddell seals, albatrosses, and a wide range of seabirds.

Q: What is the difference between a Drake Passage crossing and a fly and cruise Antarctica vacation?

The Drake crossing is a classic two-day sail through some of the world's most dramatic open ocean. Our fly and cruise trips replace it with a short flight to King George Island, getting you to the continent faster and maximizing your time in Antarctica.

Tours to Antarctica

Voyage to the frozen south on a small group Antarctica tour. Sail across the legendary Drake Passage to reach the Great White Continent, or travel by plane to King George Island on one of our fly and cruise trips. Cruise among huge icebergs in search of penguins, seals and whales.

Ways to explore Antarctica

Polar

Wildlife

Boat Journeys

What is included in an Antarctica tour package?

Our Antarctica tour packages include expedition ship accommodations, all meals and refreshments on board, and guided Zodiac excursions alongside a team of experts to help you get the most out of your tour.

How long are vacations to Antarctica?

When is the best time to book an Antarctica vacation?

What is Antarctica like in Winter?

What wildlife can I see on a trip to Antarctica?

What is the difference between a Drake Passage crossing and a fly and cruise Antarctica vacation?

Tours to Antarctica

Ways to explore Antarctica

Polar

Wildlife

Boat Journeys

Discover our Antarctica tours

Our most popular Antarctica tours

Classic Antarctica - M/V Ushuaia

Antarctic Circle - Expedition

Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea - M/V Greg Mortimer

Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica - Expedition

Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea - M/V Sylvia Earle

Across the Antarctic Circle - M/V Greg Mortimer

Across the Antarctic Circle - M/V Sylvia Earle

Antarctic Circle, South Georgia and the Falklands - M/V Sylvia Earle

Classic Antarctica - M/V Sylvia Earle

Antarctic Circle - Fly and Cruise - M/V Greg Mortimer

Classic Antarctica - Fly and Cruise - M/V Sylvia Earle

Antarctica Tours - Frequently Asked Questions:

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