Spirit of Antarctica - Maiden Voyage

Your journey begins in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Arrive independently and transfer to the hotel for your included overnight stay. Enjoy time seeing the sights and sounds of this city which is renowned for its enchanting scenery, before enjoying a good night’s sleep in preparation for the adventures ahead.

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you can join your included half-day tour of Ushuaia and its surrounds. This beautiful city is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego province and its unique landscape of mountains, sea, glaciers and forest is simply a delight to explore. This fantastic tour will take you to some of Ushuaia’s most impressive areas including The Mission, Solier and Brown neighbourhoods where you can see the ancient houses belonging to the first families in Tierra del Fuego and superb views over Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel. There will also be time to visit the End of the World Museum where you can get an insight into the history of Tierra del Fuego, before heading to the port in the mid-afternoon to board the Sylvia Earle. Settle into your comfortable cabin and get to know your home for the next 10 nights as the ship sets sail through the scenic Beagle Channel and we begin our adventure of a lifetime. A luggage transfer from the hotel is included today.

As your ship sails south through the famous Drake Passage keep an eye out in one of the many observation areas for the whales and seabirds, including albatross, which follow the ship, and the first of many iceberg sightings. Enjoy informative lectures on the wildlife, history and geology of the areas you are about to discover and attend bio security briefings for your time in Antarctica. As we approach the Shetland Islands on day 4, the excitement will build as we prepare the first of many landings in Antarctica. Possible landing sites here may include the Aitcho, Robert or Deception Islands.

As you awake on day 5 your ship will have sailed through the Gerlache Strait and the sight that awaits this morning is the stunning Antarctic Peninsula. A land of superlatives, Antarctica’s vast proportions are a sight to behold. Enjoy twice daily Zodiac excursions to explore penguin rookeries, visit historic sites and scientific stations, and get up close to the masses of elaborate icebergs. Watch seals basking on the ice floes, join an excursion in search of orca sightings, and enjoy the exhilaration of stepping foot on the white continent. As with all polar expeditions, your exact itinerary in Antarctica will be dictated by weather and wildlife sighting opportunities so be prepared for the unexpected. Making the most of every moment, your captain will choose the best course each day for wildlife viewings and adventures, with a new experience guaranteed each day.

Some of the fantastic landing sites we expect to visit throughout your time in Antarctica include the beautiful protected bay of Paradise Harbour where you can enjoy an exciting Zodiac cruise in search of whales including humpbacks, minkes and orcas, seals and various bird species including terns, gulls and blue-eyed shags. If ice conditions allow, your ship will sail through the exceptionally scenic Lemaire Channel, where time in the observation lounge or on deck will reward in incredible views of the surrounding towering cliffs and majestic icebergs reflecting off the silky still water surfaces.

Other areas along the Peninsula we hope to visit include the Hydrurga Rocks where you can search for observations of Weddell seals, leopard seals and chinstrap penguins, Neko Harbour where dramatic scenery of towering peaks and calving glaciers plays host to a large colony of gentoo penguins and more Weddell seals, and the important scientific research spot of Port Lockroy where we can learn all about Antarctica’s history and where you can send a postcard from the world’s most southern Post Office! Other possible landing sites include the Petermann and Pleneau Islands, Cuverville Island, Danco Island and the Melchior Islands.

If time allows we may return to the South Shetland Islands to visit the wildlife-rich Half Moon Island where beautiful glaciers and mountains coloured by yellow and orange lichens are home to a large chinstrap penguin colony, fur and elephant seals and various birds including gulls and blue-eyed shags. We may also visit the small Argentinean research station here.

Throughout your time in Antarctica we will have approximately 18-20 hours of daylight in which to enjoy exploration on land and by sea, with your expert expedition team and resident photography coach accompanying you throughout. For the more adventurous there will be ample opportunities for hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing, and if the weather is kind you may even be able to spend the night camping out on the ice – an unforgettable experience! Or take an exhilarating Polar Plunge into the icy Antarctic waters! Please note, camping on ice, kayaking and snowshoeing incur an additional cost and should be booked in advance.

After your exhilarating time in Antarctica it’s sadly time to head back towards Ushuaia. As your captain steers the ship back across the Drake Passage take the time to revel in all you will have experienced. Exchange stories with your new friends, keep watch on deck for seabirds and enjoy the final lectures and presentations from your expert team. On the last evening there will be an enjoyable farewell dinner with cocktails and a four-course meal, and your ship may make a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn.

On the morning of day 12 you will awake to your ship gently cruising along the Beagle Channel into Ushuaia. After breakfast it will be time to say goodbye as you disembark and transfer to the airport or to a downtown location should you wish to extend your time in Ushuaia.