Ocean Nova - Fly the Drake
Ocean Nova is a sturdy and nimble expedition vessel. This ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland. It has an ice-strengthened hull that is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. Fully renovated in 2006, the ship has benefitted from annual upgrades and improvements since then.
The ship´s outside cabins offer three categories of accommodation: dedicated Single Cabins, Twin Cabins, and Triple Cabins. All cabins feature
In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and a presentation room, Ocean Nova also has a spacious dining room, a bar, a library, a small gym, and an infirmary. The ship has a fleet of 7 Zodiacs that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.
Ship Specifications:
- Maximum # of Guests: 67 on air-cruises
- Expedition Staff & Crew: 46
- Ice Class: 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)
- Year Launched: 1992
- Cruising Speed: 12 knots in open water
- Length: 73.0 m
- Minimum age: 8 years old
- Minimum age for adventure options: 16 years old for the kayaking program & 12 years old for snowshoeing/hiking
Access to the brand new Explorers House:
Explorers House is an exclusive facility in Punta Arenas where our team helps you prepare for your expedition. You can attend briefings, try on expedition gear, practice wearing a life jacket, and learn how to board a Zodiac. At Explorers House you can interact with our team, review checklists, and get answers to any questions you may have about your trip, so you will be ready and confident when you arrive in Antarctica.
Explorers House also functions as our own private club. It provides a modern environment where you can relax with a cup of coffee, review a wonderful collection of Antarctic books, and get to know your travel companions as excitement over the upcoming adventure builds. Explorers House was designed by renowned architects and was built using green building practices. It features a commercial solar panel system to produce electricity and heat.
Aircraft used for the flights to / from Antarctica:
We use three similar aircraft for flight operations: the BAE 146-200, the AVRO RJ 85, and the AVRO RJ 100. These aircraft were manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems) and take a maximum of 76 passengers. They are high-wing aircraft with short runway requirements, which make them particularly suited for this kind of destination. It is operated by Aerovías DAP, which has more than 25 years of experience flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.
Ship Gallery
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Single Travelers:
- Can book a dedicated single cabin Single Cabin prices above
- Can book a Twin Cabin for single use at 1.85x the per person share price in Twin Cabins.
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another passenger of the same gender in either a Twin Cabin. Passengers who book a twin cabin on a shared basis are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas. Those passengers must pay a Single Hotel Room Supplement which is $790/person for the 2024-25 season and $830/person for the 2024-25 season. Note: Single travelers who use CPAP machines or other assistive devices, as well as those who have conditions that can be disrupting to others (loud snoring, sleepwalking, etc.), can only book their air-cruise in a Single Cabin or a Twin Cabin for single use. They cannot book on a twin-share basis.
Adventure Options:
- Full Kayaking program: $895/person for 2024-25 season & $695/person for 2025-26 season. Experience required, must be booked in advance as spots are limited. Starting the 2025-26 season there will be 2 separate groups of 10 kayakers, with each group kayaking on an alternating basis.
- Snowshoeing/Hiking: $85/person per excursion, only bookable onboard the ship
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
Single Cabin
Located on deck 3 featuring one lower single bed, a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower. 87 sq. ft / 8 sq. m.
Twin Cabin
Located on deck 3 & deck 4 featuring two twin beds or one queen bed (most have two twins), a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower. Note – in the cabins that do have one queen bed, the bed is pushed up against one of the walls. 106 sq. ft / 10 sq. m.
Triple Cabin
Located on deck 3 these cabins feature two lower beds and one upper bed, a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower. 150 sq. ft / 14 sq. m.
Deck Plan
