Explore Antarctica with hands-on, feet-on, expert-led expeditions.

Join us between November and March to cruise in comfort on well-equipped polar vessels, backed up by three course meals, onboard amenities, and expert leaders. But don’t be fooled: as adventures go, this is the big one. You’ll cross the infamous Drake Passage and set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, explore ice-dotted bays by zodiac and get up close with gentoo penguins and migrating blue whales - the reasons why you should visit Antarctica go on and on. Because you're travelling with Intrepid Travel, you'll experience this incredible part of the world in a way that builds human connection and respects the environment. 'Antarctic cruises' doesn't really do it justice. These are Antarctic adventures. 

Browse Antarctica trips

11 Days From 8000

Experience the magic of the Antarctic Peninsula and its islands aboard the Ocean...

11 Days From 6860

Set off on an 11-day expedition on board the Ocean Endeavour, revealing the landscapes...

11 Days From 8090

This is one Christmas you’ll never forget – journey to Antarctica on board the Ocean...

11 Days From 6950

Join World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF-Australia) scientists on an 11-day expedition...

14 Days From 10090

Set sail for the trip of a lifetime – a 14-day journey on board the Ocean Endeavour,...

11 Days From 6680

Follow the whales of Antarctica as they migrate south on this 11-day expedition cruise,...

14 Days From 10770

Cross the Antarctic Circle with World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF-Australia) whale...

21 Days From 13360

Spot seals, whales and albatross aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Retrace the steps of...

23 Days From 17230

This trip is an Antarctica expedition like no other. Try wildlife photography and see...

12 Days From 7180

Witness Antarctic Peninsula whales on this epic journey at sea. Spot seals and penguins...

21 Days From 14320

Embark on a 21-day Intrepid expedition including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia...

14 Days From 9680

Experience the rare opportunity to explore both the eastern and western sides of the...

What is an Antarctica trip like?

Why choose Intrepid for your cruise

Well-equipped ships

Our ships are well-equipped to deal with the harsh environment of Antarctica and safety is our biggest priority. Each vessel has modern conveniences and provides the perfect platform for Antarctic exploration.

Expert leaders

Our experienced leaders have made hundreds of polar voyages. Learn about the history, geography and wildlife of the Antarctic from experts in the field, including naturalists and ornithologists who are always ready to answer questions.

Daily excursions

We run frequent excursions to get up-close to wildlife, allowing you to experience what it’s like exploring onshore. Each shore day includes two excursions with our leaders exploring the sea ice, ready to encounter any wildlife that may waiting. You’ll be given life vests, waterproof jackets and waterproof boots for the duration of the activities. 

Full board

All cruises provide three course meals, 24-hour tea and coffee, and main activities including Zodiac excursions, onboard seminars and shore landings. Our chefs know just how to warm you up after your Antarctic outing, just be ready for a second serving!

Safety

All of our ships and operations teams undergo strict safety audits. We are committed to upholding the highest safety standards on all our trips operating within the Antarctic region.

Responsible travel

As the world’s largest travel B Corp, we strive to use travel as a force for good. That’s why we choose to give back to the communities we visit, carbon offset all our trips and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. 

Your home on the sea

 

The Ocean Endeavour is comfortable, spacious and the place to be in the Antarctic season. Not only is it one of the few polar expedition ships in Antarctica, it also has one crew member for every eight travellers. This means you’ll enjoy a more personal, informative and comfortable trip.

Ocean Endeavour

 

 

Onboard experts

There's only so much you can read in a guidebook, especially when it comes to such rare and extraordinary locations. That's why we have a range of specialists on board Ocean Endeavour for every polar journey, from historians to marine biologists and hiking guides. With experts at hand, you can be assured that no question will be left unanswered. 

Alex Expedition Leader

Alex – Expedition Leader

Alex has long held a fascination with the natural world and polar regions. A graduate from Cambridge in Natural Sciences, Alex had been a polar guide for over a decade and is the co-founder of the Polar Citizen Science Collective, an organisation devoted to harnessing the research and data collection power of polar tourism. When not on a ship he can usually be found with skis or sticky rubber on his feet.

Eva Citizen Science Coordinator

Eva – Citizen Science Coordinator

Eva is a polar scientist, with a particular passion for marine mammals. Her love for whales led to her graduating at the top of her class with a Masters in Polar Science from the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge. Researcher, Naturalist, Photographer, Educator, Surveyor, Skipper and Wildlife Officer, Eva has travelled extensively throughout all 7 continents, but her heart remains in the polar regions. When she’s not at sea, Eva works at Whales of Iceland, the largest exhibition of whales in Europe.

John Expedition Photographer

John – Expedition Photographer

Growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of the New Zealand landscape, John's character and journey into photography were shaped by his environment. A voyage down to the New Zealand subantarctic islands gave him the "Polar Bug" – an obsessive compulsion to see and experience more of the polar regions. John now specialises as a polar guide and photography educator, sharing his passion for the polar regions and helping people to make the most out of their photographic opportunities.

Sophie Wellness Guide

Sophie – Wellness Guide

Sophie has been fuelling her passion for health, photography, an active lifestyle and remote wilderness through travels in various lands and cultures. She owned a dog sledding company, competed in multi-day adventure races and has guided canoeing, sea kayaking and photography trips. Onboard, Sophie will be your wellness guide to help enliven your senses and deepen your experience of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic Peninsula.

View sale departures

Departing Days From EUR
2 Nov 2023
Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour)
11 6680
20 Nov 2023
Shackleton's Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)
21 14320
9 Dec 2023
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)
11 8000
18 Dec 2023
Best of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour)
11 8000
27 Dec 2023
Best of Antarctica In Depth (Ocean Endeavour)
14 9730
5 Feb 2024
Journey to the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Endeavour)
14 11680
17 Feb 2024
Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)
11 8000
26 Feb 2024
WWF Journey to the Circle and Giants of Antarctica (Ocean Endeavour)
14 10770
9 Mar 2024
WWF Giants of Antarctica (Ocean Endeavour)
11 6950
30 Oct 2024
Shackleton's Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica Expedition (Ocean Endeavour)
21 13360
5 Jan 2025
Ultimate Antarctica: Falklands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Endeavour)
23 17230
9 Mar 2025
Best of Antarctica: Whale Discovery (Ocean Endeavour)
12 7180

See all Polar Deals

Antarctica cruise reviews

Find out if Antarctica is as unbelievable as it sounds from Intrepid travellers who've been there before thanks to these Antarctica cruise reviews. 

Highlights of our Antarctic cruises

Travellers in Antarctica

Explore the lesser-visited Eastern Peninsula

Explore Antarctic Peninsula’s remote and rugged east side, a sweeping landscape full of huge icebergs, and islands famous for their enormous penguin colonies, exploration history and geological features and are only navigated a few times per year.

View trip

Penguins in South Georgia

Visit South Georgia Island’s snow-capped mountains

South Georgia Island, a sub-Antarctic island administered by the United Kingdom as part of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, has vast and rugged snow-capped mountains and is the unsung hero of Antarctica. 

View trip

 

Polar plunge in a Santa suit

Celebrate Christmas in Antarctica

Take advantage of the holiday period and embark on a festive adventure through Antarctica over Christmas and New Year’s. There will be plenty of unique wildlife to see, so set off and search for penguins, whales and seals among the icy waters. A polar plunge might be the best way to bring in a new year…

View trip

Traveller talking to guide on ship

Search for whales with WWF

Join Intrepid and special guests from the World Wildlife Fund – Australia (WWF-Australia) on a 14-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and Polar Circle. Search the icy waters and white shores for whales and other creatures by day, then relax and enjoy an illuminating lecture program by night.

View trip

Activities

Take your Antarctica experience to the next level with some outdoor adventures. These activities are offered on many of our trips.

Wildlife

Antarctica – the seventh and final continent, where penguins, seals and birds are the only permanent residents. Here’s a snapshot of what you might see when you visit the Southern Ocean.

More about the wildlife in Antarctica 

Our top wildlife tours

11 Days From 6950

Join World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF-Australia) scientists on an 11-day expedition...

11 Days From 6680

Follow the whales of Antarctica as they migrate south on this 11-day expedition cruise,...

14 Days From 10770

Cross the Antarctic Circle with World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF-Australia) whale...

Responsible travel

Responsible travel in Antarctica

Our approach to responsible travel in Antarctica falls into three focus areas we believe will create the greatest positive impact: inspiring travellers, supporting science and protecting the environment.  

You can read about our responsible travel initiatives in Antarctica below: 

Responsible Travel Initiatives in Antarctica

Popular regions

Add-ons & deals

Antarctica FAQs

A flock of penguins standing on an icy shelf under a cloudy sky in Antarctica

When is the best time to visit Antarctica?

Antarctica is best visited in the summer months from November to March when the weather is warmer and the sea ice has melted enough to get closer to the island shore.

Read more about the best time to visit Antarctica

A group of travellers rugged up in warm clothes exploring an icy, Antarctic landscape on a clear day

What is the weather like in Antarctica?

The climate in Antarctica is the coldest one on Earth with cold summers and freezing winters. The warmest month is January with averages of around 10°C (50°F).

Read more about the weather in Antarctica

A group of travellers sitting in a zodiac boat with big, puffy jackets on

What to wear in Antarctica?

You have to be prepared and thorough when packing for Antarctica due to its remote location. Make sure you bring lots of layers, gloves, sunscreen, and moisturiser among other items.

Read more about what to wear in Antarctica

Two travellers chatting on an Antarctica island under a clear, blue sky

Will my mobile phone work in Antarctica?

Your mobile phone will not work during your Antarctica cruise as the continent is still considered extremely remote and doesn't have the right telecommunication infrastructure in place.

Read more about mobile phones in Antarctica

Ship equipment onboard the Ocean Endeavour

How to choose an Antarctic cruise

Deciding on the Antarctic cruise that suits you best comes down to figuring out the time of year you want to go, the itinerary, and how long you want the cruise to be.

Read more about how to choose an Antarctica cruise

The Ocean Endeavour sailing on the Southern Ocean under a clear sky in Antarctica

How much does a cruise to Antarctica cost?

The cost of an Antarctica cruise largely depends on the departure date, how long the cruise goes for, and the type of cabin you book on the ship but most cruises start from AUD$7,000 (USD$5,000).

Read more about the cost of an Antarctica cruise

Antarctica refers to the seventh continent of the world and is largely situated in the Antarctic Circle - a line of latitude sitting at around 66.5° south of the equator - at the base of the globe. The Antarctic refers to the region made up of south polar zones that include the seas and some outlying islands. 

Read more about the location of Antarctica

Antarctica isn't part of one single country, rather it is a continent governed under a series of recognised guidelines and agreements called the Antarctic Treaty System.

Read more about which country Antarctica is in

Each expedition includes stops at various landing sites around the Antarctic but when you stop at them and for how long often depends on the weather, as well as sea ice and wildlife movement. 

Read more about landing sites in Antarctica

While Antarctica may not be hospitable to human life, there are plenty of animal species that call the seventh continent their home. This includes penguins, whales, sea birds, seals, and more. 

Read more about the animals of Antarctica

For more information about our tours in Antarctica, and answers to common queries, see our Frequently Asked Questions, and find out even more in our free Antarctica Guidebook.

Antarctica Guidebook

Contact us

Do you have questions about any of our Antarctica trips? Reach out to our dedicated team below.

Read more about Antarctica