Antarctic Circle and South Shetlands

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway, followed by seabirds.

During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage and encounter a variety of seabirds - these can include wandering, grey-headed, black-browed and the beautiful light-mantled sooty albatross, southern fulmars, Wilson's storm, blue, Cape and Antarctic petrels. We also look out for whales and, as we near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.

We sail directly to Antarctica and may make a first landing at Hannah Point on Livingston Island in the South Shetlands. Then heading south, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island to the small steep Cuverville Island, nestled between the mountains of the Peninsula and Danco Island, where there is a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas. If we land on Danco Island we can watch chinstrap penguins and possibly Weddell and crabeater seals. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the actual Antarctic continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers and enjoy the landscape during Zodiac cruises. When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see humpback and minke whales. Now, we head further south and cross the Circle, with our furthest south landing probably being at the abandoned British station on Detaille Island. Heading back north through the Neumayer Channel, there are great opportunities for kayaing and diving in the pristine polar environment.

As the snow and ice recede on these islands, mosses, lichens and flowering grasses appear. We plan to visit the scenic Deception Island with its distinctive shaped bay and hot springs. We will see exceptional birdlife such as gentoo and chinstrap penguins, southern giant, Wilson's storm, black- bellied storm and Cape petrels, brown and south polar skuas, kelp gulls and Antarctic terns.

On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Arrive and disembark