Fly to Antarctica and explore by ship - witness the White Continent in all its pristine, untouched splendour. This vast wilderness reveals countless forms of beauty, from sculpted ice and luminous skies to thriving wildlife and mirror-still seas.
Penguins fill the rocky shores - gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie - nesting, tending their chicks, or diving through the icy shallows. Seals rest on drifting floes, while whales—humpback, minke, orca, and sei - glide through the frigid waters in graceful procession.
Every voyage reveals a new rhythm of life: shifting light, towering icebergs, and the profound stillness of one of Earth’s last true frontiers. This is Antarctica in its purest form - vast, raw, and unforgettable.
- Exclusive Antarctica Fly-Cruise via Puerto Natales—skip the Drake Passage with round-trip flights from and back to Puerto Natales, Chile, the gateway to Torres del Paine, where jagged peaks and vast glaciers form Patagonia’s dramatic landscapes—the perfect prelude or finale to your trip.
- See penguin colonies come alive—gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins nesting and courting in the thousands.
- See the first whales—humpbacks, minkes, sei and orcas— of spring breach and blow offshore, while seals lounge on drifting sea ice.
- Explore iconic Antarctic locations—see sites such as Deception Island, Cuverville Island, Paradise Bay, and the Gerlache Strait — made accessible by our ice-strengthened ship.
- Exceptional photographic opportunities—capture stunning wildlife encounters, dramatic icescapes, and the unique Antarctic light.
- Expert-led exploration—enjoy specialist lectures and excursions led by our experienced expedition guides, deepening your connection to this unique environment.
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.
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. If you wish to spend a few days here before your expedition, you can join our Torres del Paine extension package and stay in a traditional Patagonia lodge.
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 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, with their hungry chicks.
You’ll glide through the narrow and stunning channels often packed with glittering sea ice and steep mountains on both sides by still waters.
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.
Exploring Antarctica's raw and untouched beauty
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.
On the final day, we hope to disembark at King George Island and take a charter flight back to Puerto Natales. There, you’ll stay at our very comfortable lodge, where you can relax and reflect on your extraordinary Antarctic experiences.
For those continuing their adventure, there’s the opportunity to join our Torres del Paine extension package, where you may go horseback riding through the stunning Patagonian landscapes, take a scenic hike to Mirador Base Las Torres, visit Laguna Sofia, explore the Milodón Cave, or enjoy other carefully planned activities.
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.
