As one of the world’s leading operators in Antarctica, capable of mounting logistically demanding deep continental expeditions, we’re pretty picky at Explorations Company when it comes to the cruise partners we work with. In fact, Antarctica 21 is one of a very small handful of Antarctica cruise operators whose values and commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience match our own. As ground-breaking pioneers of the fly and cruise concept back in 2003, Antarctica 21 offers by some distance the best way to experience Antarctica for those who are short on time or who are nervous sailors.
Add to this a truly excellent and professional crew and expedition team, priority plane allocation (a significant factor when weather conditions in Antarctica can be somewhat capricious), and two small but excellently provisioned expedition vessels–the Ocean Nova, or her more recently built sister vessel the Magellan Explorer–and the difference becomes clear.
"What the Antarctic Peninsula offers, more than anywhere else in the White Continent, is an abundance of charismatic wildlife."
Antarctica 21’s two most popular air-cruises, the eight-day Classic Antarctica and ten-day Polar Circle itineraries, begin and end in Punta Arenas. Flying both ways over the Drake Passage, notorious for its heavy seas, saves four days of travel. Boarding in King George Island in the South Shetlands allows for the same amount of active cruising in the calm waters of the Antarctic Peninsula as most other cruises that sail across the Drake Passage. You also have the option–on the six-day Express Antarctica and 18-day Antarctica and South Georgia cruise–of flying in one direction across the Passage, as these cruises start or finish in Ushuaia in Argentina.
What the Antarctic Peninsula offers, more than anywhere else in the White Continent, is an abundance of charismatic wildlife. Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins are all likely to keep you company as you voyage south from King George Island, along with leopard and Weddell seal, myriad seabirds and–especially late on in the season–many whale species. Humpback, fin, minke, sei and blue whales can all be found here, and you may even get lucky and catch a pod of orcas spy-hopping in a lead between two ice floes as they hunt their favourite prey.
While the main focus of any cruise along the Antarctica Peninsula is inevitably the wildlife, active adventurers are also catered to with sea kayaking, snowshoeing and hiking all possible. Bookending your Antarctica 21 voyage with some time in Chile, perhaps exploring the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park and its fabulous vineyards, makes for a stupendous and utterly absorbing adventure.
