Which Cruise to Choose?

CHILE

DELVE DEEPER

With so many diverse and intriguing destinations to explore, it can be difficult to choose the itinerary for you. Here, we delve deeper into the highlights of the Antarctic region.

Fjords, glaciers, rugged coastlines; humpback, penguins, sea lions; hiking, swimming, skiing… there’s a lot to do and see in Antarctica. And the cruise itinerary you choose will have some impact on the experiences and encounters you have over the course of your journey.

Click here to get a feel for Antarctica’s attractions, at a glance. Drake Passage The Drake Passage extends about 1,000 kilometres between Cape Horn – on the tip of South America – and the South Shetland Islands. Crossing is a rite of passage for polar travellers: this journey is known as the ‘Drake Shake’ for a reason (when still, it’s dubbed the ‘Drake Lake’). Spot whales (humpback, orca, minke and fin) and seabirds during the journey. Don’t want to put your sea legs to the test? Quark also offers a fly/cruise option, so you can skip the Drake Passage. Ushuaia

Stanley

FALKLAND ISLANDS

SOUTH GEORGIA

Drake Passage

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

ANVIERS ISLAND

Nekko Harbour KING GEORGE ISLAND

Marguerite Bay Wilhelmina Bay

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Antarctic Peninsula

Want to experience exquisite isolation and icy landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world? The Antarctic Peninsula is the best way to get a taste of this vast and wild seventh continent. Be humbled by the staggering beauty – icebergs, glaciers, fjords, inlets and snowcovered mountains of every conceivable shape and size. For those interested in adventure, this is your chance to try stand-up paddleboarding, go camping, join heliadventures and more.

Neko Harbour Neko Harbour, which was named after the Neko whaling ship and floating factory that operated here from 1911 to 1924, is bordered on one side by giant glaciers, which commonly carve before your very eyes. Gentoo penguins breed on the cobblestone beach, which is also a popular location for Weddell and fur seals; meanwhile, birders are drawn to the area due to the high concentration of skuas.

Danco Island Despite its relatively small size (1.6 kilometres long and 180 metres high), Danco Island – sitting in the middle of the Errera Channel – is home to a staggering 2,000-plus pairs of breeding gentoo penguins. Humpback and minke whales pass through the channel towards the end of summer as well.

Clockwise from above The Lemaire Channel © Acacia Johnson; Hiking the seventh continent © Acacia Johnson; Spotting humpbacks © David Merron; Crossing the circle © David Merron Antarctic Circle Crossing the Circle is an achievement, as most expeditions don’t reach this far south – 66°33´S. Celebrate with a glass of bubbles, taking pride knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world few see.

Lemaire Channel Nicknamed ‘Kodak Gap’, this channel is a photographer’s dream, wonderfully calm and covered in reflections of the surrounding glaciers and mountains.

Wilhelmina Bay This stretch of sea also has a monicker: ‘Whale-mina Bay’. You get the idea... it’s one of the best places in the world to spot all manner of these marine mammals.

Click here to see what it’s like to explore South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

South Georgia

South Georgia is a mustdo if you want to witness wildlife in unimaginable and incredible hordes. The island is often on bucket lists for its huge colonies (think, millions) of penguins and other animals – although you still see remnants of abandoned whaling outposts scattered throughout.

Clockwise from above Still waters make for excellent Zodiac cruises © David Merron; The wildlife-rich shores of South Georgia © David Merron; Penguins by the thousands on South Georgia © David Merron

Grytviken The largest of South Georgia’s former whaling stations, this is a mandatory port of call for all visitors (to get their passport stamped). The attractive harbour is home to a church, museum, post office and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This 3.2-kilometre beach on Georgia – framed by rugged mountains – is home to more than 300,000 king penguins, the island’s largest colony (as well as countless seals). The colour, noise and smell guarantee a sensory overload. Stromness South Georgia’s wellpreserved former whaling station is where you can hike the last few miles from Fortuna Bay on the ‘Shackleton Walk’, following the footsteps of his gruelling 1916 journey to save his men

St. Andrews Bay on Elephant Island. Salisbury Plain This slip of South Georgia is best known as the breeding ground for as many as 60,000 king penguins, not to mention elephant and fur seals. Incredibly, these creatures are as curious as they are cute – have your camera at the ready.

The Falkland Islands Immerse yourself in early Antarctic exploration on these sub-Antarctic islands of the South Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago contains two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and is rich in wildlife – most notably birds, home to Magellanic, gentoo and southern rock hopper penguins, as well as two endemic species, the Falkland steamer duck and the elusive Cobb’s wren.

Port Stanley Also known as Stanley, this town is the capital of the Falkland Islands. A quintessential British town all the way on the other end of the globe, Stanley offers a glimpse into daily life with pubs, churches and museums. South Shetland Islands Located 120 kilometres north of the Falklands, the South Shetland Islands are often the first stop for those travelling en route to the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife enthusiasts come for the various species of penguins (gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap), seals and orcas.

Click here to see what it’s like to partner with Penguin Watch.