Fly and sail the legendary Drake Passage into the heart of Antarctica, where the polar wilderness unfolds in all its striking beauty and vitality.
This unique expedition begins or ends in Puerto Natales, Chile—gateway to Torres del Paine—or Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city on the edge of Tierra del Fuego. Both offer the perfect prelude or finale. You’ll cross the legendary Drake Passage once by ship and once by flight—combining flexibility with the full polar experience.
In Antarctica, life abounds. Penguin colonies bustle with activity, seals rest along the icy shores, and whales—humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and seis—glide gracefully through the nutrient-rich waters.
The polar light radiates across sculpted ice and snow-capped peaks, casting a glow that transforms the landscape into something otherworldly.
This is Antarctica: powerful, pristine, and utterly unforgettable.
- Exclusive Antarctica Fly-Cruise via Puerto Natales — begin or end in Puerto Natales, Chile, gateway to Torres del Paine, or in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city on the edge of Tierra del Fuego. Both offer the perfect prelude or finale to your adventure. You’ll fly one way and experience the legendary Drake Passage once.
- Sail across the Drake Passage — cross one of the world’s most iconic stretches of ocean, a true rite of passage for polar explorers.
- Experience Antarctica’s striking light — where the sun casts dramatic shadows across icebergs, peaks, and wildlife.
- Witness thriving penguin colonies — see gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins nesting, tending their young, and moving through lively colonies.
- Unforgettable whale encounters — spot humpback, minke, orca, and sei whales feeding and surfacing in the icy waters.
- Explore iconic Antarctic sites — including Deception Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville Island, and the Gerlache Strait.
- Exceptional photographic opportunities — capture dynamic wildlife, sculpted ice, and ever-changing polar light.
- Expert-led exploration — deepen your understanding of Antarctica through lectures, workshops, and shore landings guided by seasoned expedition leaders.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Begin your Antarctic journey in the remote Puerto Natales, and experience Patagonia’s soul from the first moment. Our team will meet you at the airport upon your arrival and transfer you to your hotel.
Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica
After meeting our team in Puerto Natales, Chile, you’ll board a two-and-a-half-hour charter flight with your fellow guests across the Drake Passage to King George Island, your gateway to Antarctica.
Upon landing, a Zodiac transfer will take you to your ship, where your voyage into the white continent begins.
We often sail into the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula through the scenic Gerlache Strait, flanked by jagged peaks. If ice conditions allow, we’ll venture into regions renowned for impressive tabular icebergs and dramatic landscapes.
Into Antarctica’s hidden places
Prepare to enjoy a Zodiac cruise through sapphire-blue iceberg-filled coves and serene reflective waters, as we are on the lookout for humpback whales, leopard seals, and calving glaciers. We’ll also hope to land on islands, where gentoo penguins nest among whalebone relics, and young fur seals frolic in shallow waters, while elephant seals will be hauled out on shore.
Dramatic coastlines and penguin colonies
We plan to visit remote and rugged islands along the peninsula, where you’ll see dramatic volcanic cliffs, glacier-sculpted shorelines, and encounter large colonies of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins nesting side by side.
You’ll glide through the narrow and stunning channels often packed with glittering sea ice and steep mountains on both sides by still waters.
As your voyage north unfolds, icebergs and the Antarctic continent fade on the horizon. While crossing the Drake Passage, albatrosses may glide above as you enjoy workshops, and expert-led lectures.
Sail through the Beagle Channel before concluding your journey with disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina.
We prefer to embrace spontaneity and make the most of every opportunity nature presents to us. This is how we believe a true, authentic expedition should run…for those who don’t just travel—they explore.
Our listed itineraries are for guidance only. The day-to-day activities may vary depending on the ice, the weather, and the wildlife. Landings are subject to site availability and permissions, and always in line with IAATO guidelines and Antarctic Treaty regulations. We pledge to follow the strictest environmental protocols.
Polar Athena
| Length: | 71 metres |
|---|---|
| Max passengers | 42 |
Built for true polar exploration, MV Polar Athena combines the rugged power of an icebreaker with the intimacy of small-group travel. With the highest 1A Super ice-class rating and space for just 42 guests, she offers one of the most personal Antarctic experiences available. Born as a research vessel and reimagined for modern-day adventurers, Polar Athena slices through heavy sea ice with ease, offering unmatched agility, comfort, and access to remote destinations. Her small size ensures that all guests can disembark together for Zodiac excursions, maximising time ashore and embracing the spontaneity of wildlife encounters and shifting weather.
On board, guests enjoy Scandinavian-style comfort with thoughtfully designed cabins, panoramic observation lounges, and a warm, family-like atmosphere. Whether you're spotting whales from the elevated bow deck, relaxing in the wellness area’s hot tub, or enjoying freshly prepared meals in the cosy dining room, Polar Athena offers immersive exploration without the crowds. Her bridge lounges welcome guests throughout the voyage, offering behind-the-scenes insight and a shared sense of purpose with the crew, making each journey feel like a genuine expedition into the unknown.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
