Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)

11 Days | Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Great White Continent

4.8 out of 5 based on 107 reviews submitted.
Polar
Wildlife
From
CHF  8,040
View dates and book

Enter a spellbinding world of snow and ice as you voyage to Antarctica, a continent that has long captivated explorers. Set sail aboard the comfortable, spacious and well-appointed Ocean Endeavour on an 11-day voyage, discovering unbelievable wildlife and the world’s most remarkable scenery. As you explore this icy wilderness, you’ll not only be accompanied by an expert expedition team, but also by penguins, seals, whales and seabirds, set against a backdrop of towering icebergs, snow-capped peaks, imposing glaciers and ice-choked waters. Adventures like this don’t come along every day – there’s simply nowhere else on earth like Antarctica.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour) including Antarctica and Argentina
Start
Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish
Ushuaia, Argentina
Theme
Polar, Wildlife
Destinations
Antarctica, Argentina
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Comfort
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1 - Max 200
Trip code
GQMDE
This trip generates 455.98 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Explore an unspoiled wilderness, uninhabited by man, where penguins, seals, whales and seabirds in their abundance are the true rulers.
  • Emerging from winter, the density of wildlife is increasing, and penguin rookeries are at full capacity with penguin chicks beginning to hatch from mid-December.
  • Seal and whale sightings become more frequent as minke, southern right and humpback whales return to Antarctic waters to feed, ensuring extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Enjoy daily Zodiac excursions, onshore landings and take advantage of a range of adventure options during the voyage such as kayaking, camping, photography and snowshoeing.
  • Benefit from a variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on history, geology, and ecology by the expedition team.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The Ocean Endeavour is an ice-strengthened ship – large, sturdy and suited to the unpredictable Antarctic waters. Some people may experience seasickness in occasional rough seas however, we do have a doctor on board should you need assistance. Over-the-counter seasickness medication is usually an easy fix.  
  • Temperatures in the Antarctic can get very cold, but it also can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out. We recommend dressing in layers when you journey outside. We’ll provide you with waterproof boots on loan that are sturdy and warm, as well as an inner jacket that is yours to keep. Please see the Essential Trip Information for notes on what to pack. 
  • Depending on the weather, you’ll be travelling around in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the area and search for wildlife. It can get cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. A fair level of mobility is needed for wet and dry landings from the boat, as well as on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. The Ocean Endeavour has a lift, but you’ll need to take the stairs to get to the gangway and some other parts of the ship that the lift does not provide access to. 
  • The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area like the Antarctic. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to other locations – which are just as interesting and beautiful! We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather, but there are plenty on onboard resources and activities. The ship’s library and educational lectures are ideal ways to stay entertained, while the wellness spa, saunas, gym and yoga classes will keep you fresh for when the weather clears. 

Boats

Ocean Endeavour
Ocean Endeavour
BOAT TYPE: Expedition PASSENGERS: 200
The Ocean Endeavour is a comfortable and spacious ship with a gym, library and wide range of cabin types.
Explore features

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour) including Antarctica and Argentina

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac

Accommodation

1 night comfortable hotel, 9 nights expedition cruise ship

Activities
  • Welcome Briefing
  • Citizen Science Program
  • Daily Briefings and Recap
  • Onboard Lecture Program
  • Guided walking Excursions
  • Zodiac Excursion/Cruising
Add on activities
  • Yoga and Meditation Classes - Free
  • Onboard Spa treatments (various prices apply) starting from - USD95
  • Photography Program - USD1099
  • Onboard Gym and Sauna - Free
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding - USD299
  • Kayaking Program - USD1099
  • Polar Plunge - Free
  • Day Paddle - USD299
  • Camping - USD399
  • Snowshoeing - USD150

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS
You are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of AUD1500, USD1000, EUR900, NZD1600, GBP800, CAD1300, CHF900 or ZAR17,000 per person per trip for your booking to be confirmed. Full payment is required 95 days prior to departure.
Please refer to our “Booking and Conditions” section on our website including the special conditions that apply to Antarctica Voyages (Ocean Endeavour)

This trip used to be called "Best of Antarctica"

For the 23/24 season we now have 4 "Best of Antarctica" trips as follows:
Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (trip code GQMDW)
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (trip code GQMDE)
Best of Antarctica: A White Christmas (trip code GQMAC)
Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (trip code GQMWJ)

We also have a longer trip available with a duration of 14 days called
Best of Antarctica In Depth (GQMAW)

SPECIAL INFORMATION for the 27TH OF JANUARY 2024 DEPARTURE
We love travelling the world with like-minded travelers and Antarctica is no different. This sometimes means that our Antarctica vessel, the Ocean Endeavour, and our world- renowned expedition team join forces with other adventurers, such as Intrepid’s Polar specialists, Chimu Adventures. Please read the Itinerary Disclaimer in the Essential Trip Information for important details on who you’ll be travelling with and how this will contribute to your expedition experience.

COVID 19 VACCINATION
COVID-19 vaccination is a pre-embarkation requirement for all guests, staff, and crew on all Ocean Endeavour voyages. We will request a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination status on Day 1

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
Approaching a looming glacier in a sea kayak, strapping on snowshoes to reach the best icy viewpoints, capturing the perfect photo of a seal hunting its prey or camping under an Antarctic perpetual twilight – these are just some of the ways you can enrich your exploration of the great White Continent with our additional activities. A range of Paid Adventure Options is available on the Ocean Endeavour, on selected voyages, subject to availability. Your booking agent can assist with availability and pricing.
• Kayaking or Photography Program - Voyage-duration program available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.
• Day Paddle or Stand Up Paddleboarding- One-off excursion available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent. Additional spaces may be available to book on board via the Expedition Team
• Camping - One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.
• Snowshoeing - One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Book on board via the Expedition Team.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 107 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Julia · Traveled January 2024
My time on the Ocean Endeavor was amazing. Intrepid was professional and helpful from the time I booked until the time I disembarked. My trip to Antarctica has been indescribable and I am sad to leave. The staff was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, interesting and fun. I wish I had more time to get to know them, pick their brains and stay in Antarctica longer. I would highly recommend an Intrepid trip, especially to Antarctica, and in the future I would used Intrepid for other adventures.
Review submitted 06 Feb 2024

Brandon · Traveled January 2024
100/10 - A life changing experience! A journey I now believe everyone should take in their life!
Review submitted 06 Feb 2024

Lorine · Traveled January 2024
Antarctica is an amazing, remote and pristine continent. The presentations during sea times/days are excellent and cover a wide variety of topics. The equipment used is very satisfactory and one feels safe. Excellent experience!!
Review submitted 13 Feb 2024

Anne Victoria · Traveled January 2024
Most definitely this is the trip of a lifetime. A magnificent mind – expanding, sensory delight-full, awareness-raising experience that no picture or review can begin to fully describe. You have to be there to experience being on the water in a kayak, crunching up the Everything is supported and organised brilliantly and efficiently, safely and joyfully by the team. The supporting talks add enormously to the experience and are always entertaining as well as educational. snowy slopes avoiding the penguin highways, taking the polar plunge into the Southern Ocean or just soaking it all in from the observation decks. Everything is supported and organised brilliantly and efficiently, safely and joyfully by the team. The supporting talks add enormously to the experience and are always entertaining as well as educational.
Review submitted 06 Feb 2024

Steph · Traveled January 2024
This was a trip of a lifetime! No words truly describe the experience we had, but it was absolutely incredible and Antarctica is so special, it needs to be on your bucket list. The staff were amazing, so engaging with the guests and the whole operation ran so smoothly.
Review submitted 06 Feb 2024
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)
From
CHF  8,040