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Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)

11 Days | Follow the migration path of the earth’s most magnificent mammals

4.4 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Polar
Wildlife
From
USD $15,530
View dates and book

All aboard for the adventure of a lifetime! Set sail towards the location where whales gather in their largest numbers on the Antarctic Peninsula on this 11-day journey designed for wildlife lovers. As you enter the frozen wilderness of the White Continent, sculptured icebergs, thunderous calving glaciers, imposing mountain ranges and ice-strewn waters all lie in wait. While sailing on the Ocean Endeavour and exploring by Zodiac, scan the icy waters for the silhouettes of these mighty marine mammals as they glide through ice floes or break the Antarctic silence with spectacular acrobatics. Add in encounters with curious penguins, basking seals and many fascinating seabirds and you’re on track for a journey you’ll never forget.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Antarctica: Whale Journey (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
GQMWJ
This trip generates 395.72 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
  • Witness an incredible abundance of humpback whales as these serene marine mammals migrate to Antarctica to feed on krill each year. If conditions allow, take Zodiac excursions to get closer to whales spotted by your expert expedition crew.
  • Get the chance to encounter a range of other wildlife like king and chinstrap penguins, fur and elephant seals, albatross and more.
  • Intrepid expeditions on the Ocean Endeavour enjoy an enviable ratio of one expedition crew member for every eight passengers, allowing for a higher level of personal service.
  • Benefit from a variety of on board activities including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology by the expedition team.
  • Enjoy the amenities on board including expedition lounge, restaurant, bar, pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck, spa facilities and sauna.

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: Whale Journey (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
  • Onboard Lecture Program
  • Daily Briefings and Recap
  • Zodiac Excursion/Cruising
  • Guided walking Excursions
Add on activities
  • Onboard Gym and Sauna - Free
  • Photography Program - USD1099
  • Onboard Spa treatments (various prices apply) starting from - USD95
  • Yoga and Meditation Classes - Free
  • Kayaking Program - USD1099
  • Day Paddle - USD299
  • Polar Plunge - Free
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding - USD299

Dates and availability

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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)

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

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

4.4 out of 5 based on 7 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

Gerton · Traveled February 2023
Amazing to experience Antarctica this way. Experienced expedition team, excellent service from boat crew and all of them were joyful and thereby setting a great atmosphere. The expeditions in Antarctica are a bit short and crowded, so it's really a entry level experience of Antarctica. But the quality of team and crew makes me recommending Intrepid.
Review submitted 21 Apr 2023

Barbara · Traveled February 2023
I've been to places, seen wildlife, met people and tried a lot of things. But you can not be prepared for Antarctica. This was just mind blowing!
Review submitted 21 Apr 2023

Pamela · Traveled February 2023
Intrepid Ocean Endeavour Whale Discovery expedition was amazing. It surpassed all my expectations of what Antarctica had to offer. We were blessed with almost perfect conditions and had several up close and personal experiences with whales, seals and penguins! Met some lovely fellow passengers and the staff and crew had the perfect combination of professionalism and warm friendliness. And the ship really well equipped and comfortable. 10/10 from this traveller!
Review submitted 21 Apr 2023

Anne · Traveled February 2023
The experience was beyond words. All staff were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and went about their tasks with diligence. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Review submitted 21 Apr 2023

Catriona · Traveled February 2023
"I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who might be considering Antarctica - the team and the approach to showing us Antarctica were amazing, the passion and commitment of the entire team were exceptional!! I fell like they shared not just their knowledge of the environment but also their passion for Antarctica, adventure and people. I do have a couple of specific comments that I would be keen to share with respect to communication and engagement with a general public audience that I think might improve the lectures. I was also concerned that one of the lectures in particular appeared to be misrepresented - it was advertised as an information piece but was in fact an opinion piece/ personal promotion with unsubstantiated and even inaccurate/ incorrect facts, albeit with the best of intentions. I was quite concerned that this was being promoted as an Intrepid endorsed activity but was told that the expedition team also had concerns, I feel that this may have been a commercial rather than ethical decision! Finally, I have to comment on the emissions from the boat which would seem to be at complete odds with the stated expectations / aspirations of Intrepid. I appreciate this is an old ship but would really expect better, and hope that this is rectified asap in the future."
Review submitted 21 Apr 2023
Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)
From
USD $15,530