Antarctica Cruise: Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula

Arrive in Ushuaia, a picturesque resort town situated at the southernmost tip of South America. Known as “The End of the World,” Ushuaia is the gateway to your extraordinary voyage. In the afternoon, board your expedition vessel and begin your journey through the dramatic Beagle Channel. Fringed by snow-capped peaks and remote islets, this scenic waterway offers a spectacular introduction to the wild beauty of Tierra del Fuego. Enjoy your first evening at sea as you sail eastward, with opportunities to spot seabirds and soak in the striking Patagonian landscapes.

As your expedition vessel enters the open waters of the South Atlantic, it’s not long before the first seabirds appear on the horizon. Riding the westerly winds, several species of albatross gracefully follow in the ship’s wake, joined by storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels. The day is spent at sea, heading northeast toward the Falkland Islands, offering rich opportunities for birdwatching from deck and soaking in the vastness of the Southern Ocean.

Today brings you to the remote and wildlife-rich Falkland Islands—an archipelago of rugged beauty and fascinating history. These windswept isles, once at the heart of a 1982 conflict between the UK and Argentina, now offer a haven for wildlife lovers. Easily approached yet deserving of respectful distance, the islands teem with birdlife and marine mammals. Keep watch for Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.

Step ashore in Port Stanley, the Falklands’ colorful capital. With its Victorian-style houses, cozy pubs, and well-kept gardens, the town offers a quaint British feel. Visit the small museum—admission included—for insights into local heritage and the 1982 conflict. Keep an eye out for old clipper shipwrecks along the shore, silent echoes of the islands’ maritime past.

Continue your voyage toward South Georgia, entering the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean. As the ship makes steady progress, you’ll begin to notice a drop in temperature and a change in the sea’s character—signs that you’re nearing the Antarctic Convergence, a biological boundary teeming with life. Spend time on deck taking in the open ocean and watching for early signs of seabird activity.

Today your vessel crosses the Antarctic Convergence, where cold polar waters meet warmer northern currents. This natural mixing zone brings nutrient-rich waters to the surface, attracting a spectacular array of seabirds. Keep your binoculars at the ready as albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas soar and wheel around the ship, drawn by the ocean’s bounty.

Arrive at South Georgia, a remote island of towering peaks and abundant wildlife. Weather permitting, your first landing may be at Salisbury Plain, home to one of the island’s largest king penguin colonies. Fur seals and elephant seals also crowd the beaches during the breeding season.

Today’s landings may include Fortuna Bay, where king penguins and seals thrive against a glacial backdrop. Conditions allowing, you might retrace Shackleton’s final trek to Stromness. Later, visit Grytviken—an atmospheric former whaling station now reclaimed by nature. Explore the South Georgia Museum and pay your respects at Shackleton’s grave.

Continue your exploration with visits to St. Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour, both renowned for their immense king penguin colonies and bustling seal activity. These dramatic coastal sites offer some of the most iconic wildlife encounters in South Georgia

Enjoy a final morning in South Georgia before setting sail toward the South Orkney Islands. Weather permitting, there may be time for one last landing or zodiac cruise before heading deeper into the Southern Ocean.

Continue your journey southward, venturing deeper into the Southern Ocean. As the vessel approaches the edge of the sea ice, keep watch for new avian companions—south polar skuas and delicate snow petrels often appear here, joining the albatrosses and petrels already trailing the ship. The shifting ice and crisp polar air mark your steady approach toward the Antarctic realm.

Today brings you to the remote and icy South Orkney Islands. If conditions allow, you may visit Orcadas Base on Laurie Island—an Argentine research station surrounded by sweeping glacier views. The station’s team often welcomes visitors and offers a glimpse into life at the edge of Antarctica. Alternatively, you may land at Shingle Cove on Coronation Island, a scenic spot known for its rugged beauty and wildlife sightings.

As you sail deeper into the Southern Ocean, the scenery becomes ever more dramatic. Towering icebergs drift past in surreal shapes and shades of blue, and there’s a good chance of spotting fin whales surfacing nearby. Keep your eyes on the skies too—this is prime territory for sighting Antarctic petrels gliding above the waves.

Today marks your approach to the Antarctic Peninsula. If conditions allow, the first landings or zodiac cruises may begin this afternoon. Until then, enjoy the anticipation from deck as the icy coastline draws near, with seabirds still in attendance and the vast polar wilderness unfolding ahead.

If conditions allow, enter the Weddell Sea, where vast tabular icebergs drift past and Adélie penguins gather on Paulet Island. Alternatively, sail through the Bransfield Strait toward Elephant Island, with dramatic views and rich birdlife along the way.

Today may offer a landing at Brown Bluff, where you could set foot on the Antarctic Continent. If ice blocks the way, continue through the scenic Bransfield and Gerlache Straits, with towering peaks and abundant wildlife at every turn.

Begin your return across the Drake Passage. Familiar seabirds—albatrosses, petrels, and more—glide alongside the ship, now feeling like old companions. Reflect on your journey as the Antarctic slowly recedes behind you.

The voyage continues north, with seabirds still in graceful attendance. Enjoy the rhythm of the sea and the quiet camaraderie on board as your polar adventure nears its end.

This morning, your voyage comes to a close as you disembark in Ushuaia.