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Wild Antarctica featuring the Weddell Sea - Fly/Sail - 13 Days
Onboard Sylvia Earle – 132 passengers
Famed for its enormous icebergs, year-round sea ice, fascinating fossils and the pivotal role it played in Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, the Weddell Sea offers unsurpassed opportunities for exploration. Embark on a true Antarctic expedition as we not only explore the west Antarctic Peninsula, but also attempt to venture east towards the icy perimeter of the Weddell Sea, often guarded by impenetrable pack ice and home to awe-inspiring tabular icebergs that we hope to see.
Voyage Highlights:
- Be awestruck by the array of wildlife that play and hunt in the Antarctic Sound.
- With favourable conditions, we hope to experience the incredible sea ice and enormous icebergs in the Weddell Sea.
- Learn about the incredible fossil-rich volcanic islands from our onboard palaeontologist.
- Keep a close watch for whales that have migrated tremendous distances to feed on plentiful krill in Antarctica.
Tour Dates
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Feb 17 - Mar 1, 2026 (13 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2:00pm so that you may attend our important briefing this evening. Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today). This evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.
Day 2: Fly to King George Island & Embarkation
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings.
Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our upmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to the terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.
Days 3-10: Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula
It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do participate in the activity whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting! The polar plunge can take place at any time during the voyage, so listen out for the announcement from the expedition team and get ready for the most exhilarating dip of your life!
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve into sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.
Central to the story of where Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance became trapped in formidable sea ice, the Weddell Sea certainly is high on the list for many polar adventurers. A small set of islands standing off to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula collectively form the Antarctic Sound – the gateway to the Weddell Sea. With a well-deserved reputation as being an iceberg alley where large icebergs try to escape the Weddell Sea through Antarctic Sound, often making navigation difficult. However, the rewards can be great. Fossils are a reminder of a more temperate era – gastropods, large clams, and spiral-shaped ammonites, all turned to stone.
We hope to experience memorable wildlife encounters as the Weddell boasts a large Adélie penguin colony just outside of Antarctic Sound, some of which breed on the rocky slopes of a small volcanic island, where a large colony of Antarctic blue-eyed shags jostle for space with nest-building Wilson’s storm petrels. On thrilling Zodiac excursions or slicing a path through the maze of sea ice in your kayak, keep watch for chinstrap and gentoo penguins in and out of the water, as well as humpback, minke and orca whales. Your camera is sure to get a solid workout during your time in the Weddell Sea.
Days 11-12: Drake Passage Crossing
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Day 12: Disembark Ushuaia
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations as part of the voyage or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.
Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
In the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage you to adopt a flexible and adventurous attitude when joining our voyages. This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond our control. Voyages with a flight to/from Antarctica have a higher chance of having a trip delay or interruption.
Route Map
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Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Wild Antarctica featuring the Weddell Sea – Fly/Sail
Feb 17 - Mar 1, 2026 (13 days)Kayaking, Paddling, Snorkeling
Single Travelers:
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another or other passengers of the same gender to avoid a single supplement.
- Single occupancy price is 1.5x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking Program – requires previous kayaking experience and an intermediate paddling level:
- $680/person on Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear (8 days)
- $830/person on Wild Landscapes of West Greenland
- $870/person on Jewels of the Arctic (12 day trips)
- $980/person on Svalbard Odyssey, Jewels of the Arctic (15 Days), Greenland Odyssey, Southern Greenland
- $1,190/person on Svalbard in Depth, Northwest Passage (16-17 day trips) & Northern Lights Explorer
- $1,660/person on Arctic Complete & Traversing the Northwest Passage
Single Travelers:
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another or other passenger of the same gender to avoid a single supplement.
- Single occupancy price is 1.5x the per person share price.
Antarctic Adventure Options:
- Kayaking Program: $1,330/person on 12-15 day Antarctica voyages, $1,745/person on 20+ day Antarctica & South Georgia voyages and $1,030/person on 9 day Express trip. Requires previous kayaking experience and an intermediate paddling level.
- Paddling: $640/person
- Camping: $165/person
- Snorkeling: $675/person on 12-14 day Antarctica voyages, $835/person on 20+ day Antarctica & South Georgia voyages and $515/person on 9 day Express trip.
- Alpine Trekking: $1260/person
- Snowshoeing: $370/person on 12-15 day Antarctica voyages and $440/person on 20+ day Antarctica & South Georgia voyages
- Ski/Snowboard Touring: $1395/person – experience required
- Shackleton Crossing on Skis: $2,220/person – experience required
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
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Captain Suite
The largest of all the cabins, the singular Captain’s Suite will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you’ll need to book early to secure this suite. The Captain’s Suite features additional amenities including 1 free pair of binoculars per suite, free stocked mini bar (replenished as needed) and 1 free bottle of champagne.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 471.5 sq. ft. (43.8m2)
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Junior Suite
The four Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage points on Deck 7. When you aren’t enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites’ separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony. The Junior Suite features additional amenities including 1 free pair of binoculars per suite, free stocked mini bar (stocked once only) and 1 free bottle of champagne.
Cabin & balcony combined size: Up to 448 sq. ft. (41.6m2)
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Balcony Stateroom Superior
With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Balcony Stateroom Superior cabins are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear. Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area. Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 314 – 379 sq. ft. (29.2 – 35.2m2)
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Balcony Stateroom A
The 23 Balcony Stateroom A cabins are a premium cabin and the most abundant on board. These cabins are located in preferred positions on Deck 4 and 6 which provides easy access between Decks via the internal stairs or elevator.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 210 – 309 sq. ft. (19.5 – 28.7m2)
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Balcony Stateroom B
The 17 Balcony Stateroom B Cabins are located at the fore and aft of Deck 4 & 6. Many are fitted with interconnecting features making them great for families or groups.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 210 – 309 sq. ft. (19.5 – 28.7m2)
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Balcony Stateroom C
The 11 Balcony Stateroom C cabins are the most economical balcony stateroom, fitted with all the necessities and comfortable for up to 2 people. These cabins are on Deck 4 & 6, either in the most forward or aft location or in a mid-ship location with a smaller cabin size.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 210- 309 sq. ft. (19.5 – 28.7m2)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/07-Aurora-Stateroom-Superior-.jpg)
Aurora Stateroom Superior
With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Aurora Stateroom Superior are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear. Located on Deck 7, the Staterooms feature french balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.
Cabin size: 214 – 224 sq. ft. (19.9 – 20.8m2)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/08-Aurora-Stateroom-Triple.jpg)
Aurora Stateroom Triple
There are two Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms.
Cabin size: 244 sq. ft. (22.67m2)
Deck Plan
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1.
- Charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information.
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Wi-Fi – Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.
Exclusions:
- International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges.
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.