Expedition Cruise to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia

​20/21 Days – from €11,150 per person

The itinerary below covers the comprehensive cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina. The cruise is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions on board the Ortelius, Janssonius, Hondius or Plancius. Slightly different itineraries are also available; please ask us for details and which itinerary best suits your specific requirements.

• Sail the most comprehensive route
• Learn to tell at least six different species of penguin apart
• Visit huge colonies of penguins and sea lions
• Delve into the turbulent history of the Falkland Islands
• Sail past enormous plateau icebergs

Days 3 and 4: Falkland Islands

These two days in the Falkland Islands feature both a nature and a cultural programme. On the first day, depending on weather conditions, landings may be made on Carcass Island and/or Saunders Island. Both islands are a paradise for birdwatchers, with breeding Magellanic and gentoo penguins on Carcass, and king, Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins on Saunders Island. Other (endemic) species can also be spotted, such as the black wigeon or Cobb’s wren. Saunders Island is also home to a colony of eyebrow albatrosses. Port Stanley offers an unusual blend of South American customs and a Victorian-British atmosphere. The local museum is particularly interesting, offering an insight into the island’s history, the seafarers who attempted to round Cape Horn (and often ran aground), and the 1982 war.

Days 5 and 6: at sea

During the journey from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia, you will cross the West Wind Drift, the ocean current that encircles the entire Antarctic continent. Above sea level, this manifests as a rather abrupt transition from the temperate air currents to the north of the current to the perpetually cold polar air currents. You’ll notice this within just a few hours! The cold Gulf Stream in the south is teeming with fish and therefore attracts many species of bird. On board, you can focus your binoculars on albatrosses, shearwaters, skuas and prions.

Days 7–10: South Georgia

Another dream destination for birdwatchers is South Georgia. As you are now in the Antarctic climate zone, the itinerary here is more dependent on weather conditions. The places we plan to visit during these days are:

Prion Island: the absolute highlight of this island is the colony of great albatrosses that breed here (the island is closed from 20 November to 7 January for this very reason!). Salisbury Plain, St Andrews and Gold Harbour. You’ll be visiting these places not only for the birds (including South Georgia’s largest colony of king penguins), but also for the mammals. On South Georgia, literally millions of fur seals rear their young during December and January. The beaches are completely covered with them at that time, creating an enormous din of snorting and screeching! You’ll spot a few elephant seals amongst the fur seals.

Fortuna Bay is a plain carved out by the glacier of the same name. It provides the perfect habitat for large colonies of king penguins and seals, which you’ll have plenty of opportunities to photograph here. Of particular interest is the whaling and nature museum at Grytviken, an abandoned Norwegian whaling station. Nowadays, king penguins wander through the streets and elephant seals can be seen along the water’s edge.

Days 11–13: further south along the South Orkneys

After South Georgia, the course heads south-west towards the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s quite a long sail, with a stop at the South Orkney Islands on day 12. During these days, you’re likely to spot the first sea ice. Weather permitting, you’ll be welcomed by the friendly staff at an Argentine base on Laurie Island, who’ll be happy to show you what they’re up to. The landscape on the islands is truly extreme, featuring magnificent glaciers. During the final leg of the journey to Antarctica, you’ll now see enormous icebergs. Keep your eyes peeled for the giants of the sea: these waters are home to fin whales and humpback whales.

Days 14–17: Antarctica

The itinerary for the coming days depends on sea conditions. If it is possible to sail into the Weddell Sea from the west, the route will take us there. This sea, on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, is dotted with icebergs and immediately immerses you in the ultimate polar atmosphere! Brown Bluff, where we may go ashore, boasts a breathtaking landscape of steep volcanic crater walls covered in snow and ice, down which glaciers flow. Adélie and gentoo penguins breed here, as do snow petrels. If the Wedell Sea is inaccessible, we will sail around Elephant Island, through the Bransfield Strait and into the Antarctic Sound. The ultimate destination is the Gerlach Strait. Throughout this entire route, landings will take place depending on the opportunities afforded by Mother Nature. One thing is certain: you will be treated to phenomenal landscapes of deep-blue pack ice and rugged wilderness.

During your time in Antarctica, you’re sure to spot many different species of animals and birds. Humpback whales, minke whales and leopard seals can be found in the bays around the Melchior Islands. In various locations, you can expect to see Adélie and gentoo penguins, seals and the blue-eyed cormorant. Read more here about the animal and plant species in Antarctica. If you’re travelling on the Hondius, you can also go on a genuine Antarctic dive for an additional fee – explore the world beneath the ice floes!

Days 18–19: At sea

Depending on weather conditions, the return journey will be undertaken either earlier or later. You will cross over to the South American continent via the infamous Drake Passage. You won’t be able to get enough of scanning the water and the sky with your binoculars, hoping to spot any species you’ve missed so far.

Day 10: Ushuaia

On this day, the ship will dock again at the port of Ushuaia. Are you flying back to the Netherlands, or will you be continuing your journey in Argentina or Chile? We’d be happy to advise you on the options.