Top Antarctica Wildlife Viewing Cruises &amp; Packages In 2025/2026

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Easy

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Ushuaia

Highlights

Enjoy daily Zodiac excursions to iconic landing sites, abundant with birdlife and busy penguins, and witness icebergs in a thousand different shades of blue.
Experience almost endless daylight in high summer once you are inside the Antarctic Circle. Then, push further south than most Antarctic expeditions venture, exploring the remoteness of this less-visited part of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Customise your trip with a wide range of optional activities on top of regular Zodiac excursions. Explore the water by kayak, sign up for a photography masterclass, rejuvenate with onboard yoga and massages or take a refreshing polar plunge.
While most polar expeditions of this kind have a crew-to-passenger ratio of ten, fifteen or twenty to one, Intrepid expeditions on the Ocean Endeavour have an expedition crew member for every eight passengers for a greater personal touch.
Our experienced leaders have made hundreds of polar voyages between them. They’re experts in marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history, and they’ll share their knowledge throughout the journey during a comprehensive lecture program.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

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$10,922

14 days From$8,880

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Best of Antarctica In Depth (Ocean Endeavour)

By Intrepid Travel

premier

4.5/5 Excellent

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Easy

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Ushuaia

Highlights

Cross the Antarctic Sound on your way to the Antarctic Peninsula’s remote and rugged east side, a sweeping landscape full of huge icebergs and legendary islands.
Towering icebergs, blue glaciers, rugged islands, white mountains, abundant and curious wildlife – the western side of Antarctica is a lifechanging destination in itself.
Encounter Antarctica’s incredible wildlife – Adelie and gentoo penguins, leopard seals, sea birds, whales – your expedition crew will curate your adventure to ensure you’ve got the best chance of multiple sightings.
You might have the chance to visit Paulet Island, the Danger Islands and the Eagle Group – chains of islands famous for their enormous penguin colonies, exploration history and geological features.
Zodiac excursions open up exploration opportunities on both sides of the peninsula, from the Danger Islands to Paradise Harbour and the shores of the South Shetland Islands. We aim for two excursions on each expedition day to maximise your time on the Peninsula.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

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$18,283

14 days From$14,864

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Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer (Ocean Endeavour)

By Intrepid Travel

premier

4.5/5 Excellent

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Easy

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Ushuaia

Highlights

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.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

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$9,102

11 days From$7,400

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Classic Antarctica

preferred

4.8/5 Excellent

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

Expert and extensive knowledge of Argentina and the region surrounding it with specialists who have first-hand experience in the destination.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Highlights

Explore one of the most remote places on Earth in just 6 days!
Navigate across the famous Beagle Channel from the southernmost city in the world. Cross the legendary Drake Passage and gain insight into the Antarctic environment with expert guides.
Discover incredible polar wildlife, including whales, penguins, seals, and seabirds. Fly directly from King George Island to Punta Arenas, returning to the continent in just 2 hours, saving 2 full days.
Fly directly from King George Island to Punta Arenas, returning to the continent in just 2 hours, saving 2 full days.
Cross the legendary Drake Passage and gain insight into the Antarctic environment with expert guides.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for a fantastic holiday in Argentina! We loved the country and the people. The highlights for us was Iguazu Falls, the wine tour & the little hotel in Mendoza and the Glacier trekking. The Glacier was amazing!!! All flights were on time and your guides were always there to meet and great. Please pass on a special thank you to Carla who looked after us in BA and kept in touch all through our travels. Thanks again to Lujan, who did a fantastic job putting it all together and we will recommend you and your company to all our friends & family."

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$8,093

6 days From$5,995

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Cruise to Antarctica, South Georgia, and Islas Malvinas

preferred

4.8/5 Excellent

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

Expert and extensive knowledge of Argentina and the region surrounding it with specialists who have first-hand experience in the destination.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Full schedule

Highlights

Witness the captivating wildlife and history of the Malvinas Islands.
Discover the largest King Penguin colony in the world.
Learn about the legendary explorer Shackleton and his incredible journey.
Experience the vast white beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Navigate through the Beagle Channel, the Drake Passage, and the Southern Ocean.

Themes

High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for a fantastic holiday in Argentina! We loved the country and the people. The highlights for us was Iguazu Falls, the wine tour & the little hotel in Mendoza and the Glacier trekking. The Glacier was amazing!!! All flights were on time and your guides were always there to meet and great. Please pass on a special thank you to Carla who looked after us in BA and kept in touch all through our travels. Thanks again to Lujan, who did a fantastic job putting it all together and we will recommend you and your company to all our friends & family."

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$22,275

19 days From$16,500

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Antarctica Tour & Air-Cruise From Chile

preferred

4.8/5 Excellent

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

Expert and extensive knowledge of Argentina and the region surrounding it with specialists who have first-hand experience in the destination.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Highlights

Fly over the landscapes of Antarctica and arrive in only two hours.
Embark on Zodiac landings to explore the Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.
Learn from knowledgeable polar guides who share their expertise for the region.
Enjoy unique encounters with marine wildlife: penguins, whales, seals, among others.

Themes

High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for a fantastic holiday in Argentina! We loved the country and the people. The highlights for us was Iguazu Falls, the wine tour & the little hotel in Mendoza and the Glacier trekking. The Glacier was amazing!!! All flights were on time and your guides were always there to meet and great. Please pass on a special thank you to Carla who looked after us in BA and kept in touch all through our travels. Thanks again to Lujan, who did a fantastic job putting it all together and we will recommend you and your company to all our friends & family."

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$18,623

8 days From$13,795

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Antarctic Emperor Penguin Cruise

preferred

4.8/5 Excellent

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

Expert and extensive knowledge of Argentina and the region surrounding it with specialists who have first-hand experience in the destination.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Full schedule

Highlights

Navigate from Ushuaia to Antarctica through the Beagle Channel.
Cross the Drake Passage and reach the Antarctic Continent.
Spot Emperor penguins from a helicopter or Zodiac ride.
See historic sites and currently habited bases.
Best time to travel: From November to March.

Themes

High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for a fantastic holiday in Argentina! We loved the country and the people. The highlights for us was Iguazu Falls, the wine tour & the little hotel in Mendoza and the Glacier trekking. The Glacier was amazing!!! All flights were on time and your guides were always there to meet and great. Please pass on a special thank you to Carla who looked after us in BA and kept in touch all through our travels. Thanks again to Lujan, who did a fantastic job putting it all together and we will recommend you and your company to all our friends & family."

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$18,630

10 days From$13,800

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Antarctica Expedition & Wild Patagonia

By Across South America

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

5/5 Excellent

65 reviews

Small Ship Cruise

Why we love them

They're a family-run company that shows travelers the authentic side of South America and work with local experts.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Highlights

Torres del Paine Luxury Camp
Walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Explore the "End of the world"
Nature at its best at the Small Luxurious Expedition Cruise to Antarctica.
Adventure in Antarctica: Ice-Camp and Kayak

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, Birding, Sailing, Photography, High Adventure, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Trekking & Expeditions, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I highly recommend Across South America for a memorable experience that is personalized for YOU."