Classic Antarctic Fly-Sail

A flight across the dramatic waters of the Drake Passage is a unique way to begin an Antarctic adventure. You can save time by flying from South America, and get your fix of Antarctica's unique fauna without the need to experience the Drake Passage crossing.

Arriving on King George Island in the South Shetland archipelago, the chilly Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time, and you walk a short distance past two research stations to the shore before boarding a Zodiac to take you to Magellan Explorer - one of the best vessels to sail these waters.

Your voyage cruises between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, exploring the ice-filled fjords and iceberg formations, while enjoying the seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales.

Every day there are opportunities to Zodiac cruise in search of wildlife and explore the landscape with the onboard expert team of polar guides. When you're back onboard, there will be a series of interesting presentations and lectures. Of course, each trip is different, and the team will ensure that you get the very best experience.

The first stop on your voyage is likely to be in the Gerlache Strait, at Hydrurga Rocks – named after the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx. Here a chinstrap penguin colony of some 800 animals await and there’s a good chance of seeing Weddell seals here, too.

Other locations you'll likely visit include Paradise Bay, noted for its spectacular calving icebergs, and Lemaire Channel, the 11 kilometre strait that’s just 1,600 metres wide at its narrowest. This is an unusually calm, sheltered stretch of water which provides excellent opportunities for spotting seal-hunting orcas or foraging humpback whales. At Paulet Bay, a colony of 100,000 Adelie penguins await and at Petermann Island a gentoo penguin rookery is among the many highlights,

Some of our Fly-Sail itineraries only involve flying one way across the Drake Passage, which may be preferential for some. Our Antarctic Odyssey Fly-Sail voyage crosses the passage on the way out, before visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, South Georgia and the Falklands, where you leave the ship and return to mainland South America by plane.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas. Day 2: Fly to King George Island & board your vessel.

Days 3-6: Explore the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, including Paulet Island for its 100,000-strong Adelie penguin population, Petermann Island for both Adelie & gentoo penguins & Paradise Bay.

Day 7: Return to King George Island & return to Punta Arenas. Day 8: Depart.

8 days, from £12,495 (voyage only)

Departures: Nov-Mar

See pages 54-55 for dates

Embark/Disembark: Punta Arenas/Punta Arenas

Vessel: Magellan Explorer, a purpose-built Antarctic vessel accommodating a maximum of 76 passengers for this itinerary

Why book Classic Antarctic Fly-Sail?

To reach the great white continent as quickly and easily as possible and to eliminate the need to cross the potentially rough seas of the Drake Passage.

ཀྵ Antarctic seascapes

ཀྵ Incredible wildlife

ཀྵ Research stations

Wildlife Highlights

ཀྵ Adelie, gentoo & chinstrap penguins

ཀྵ Weddell, crabeater & leopard seals

ཀྵ Humpback whales & orcas

ཀྵ Blue-eyed shags & other seabirds

Activities

Zodiac trips, island landings, sea kayaking, photography

Until fairly recently, Antarctica has only been accessible by sailing across the Drake Passage, which has put it beyond the reach of many. But access by air is a gamechanger and will enable others to spread the gospel of this incredible ice-covered continent.

Chris Breen, Wildlife Worldwide Founder

Antarctic Circle