Antarctic whale watching – In search of the giants of the sea

Day 1: The end of the world, the beginning of a journey
Your journeybegins where the world ends, in Ushuaia (Argentina) – also known as the southernmost city in Argentina. It is located at the southernmost tip of South America. In the afternoon, you will begin your journey in this small town on Tierra del Fuego, which is itself known as the "end of the world," and spend the rest of the evening sailing through the picturesque, mountain-lined Beagle Channel. 

Days 4–7: Insights into Antarctica in late summer
There are many opportunities for activities along the Antarctic Peninsula, and these are no less exciting in late summer. Many humpback whales are active in this region, feeding on vast quantities of krill before continuing their journey north. The penguin chicks are already fledged and hang out on the beaches, where leopard seals wait for their chance to grab one. 

Places for activities can include the following: 

Danco Island – Activities here can focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell seals and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.

Neko Harbor – An epic landscape consisting of huge glaciers and endless snowfields shaped by the wind. A trip in a Zodiac offers the best view of the surrounding mountain peaks. Here you also have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic continent.

Paradise Bay – During a Zodiac ride in this expansive, ice-strewn bay, there is a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales.

Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If ice conditions permit, you can sail through the Lemaire Channel and search for Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There is also a good chance that you will see humpback and minke whales as well as leopard seals here.

Port Lockroy – After passing through the Neumayer Channel, you may have the opportunity to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to take part in activities around Jougla Point, where you can encounter gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants.

Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernoren – This is an excellent place to observe humpback whales. You may also be able to take a Zodiac trip that ends at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling ship that caught fire here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape full of icebergs, with a little luck you may encounter even more whales, as well as leopard seals and crabeater seals.

Charlotte Bay – We may encounter a variety of wildlife, including gentoo penguins, Weddell seals, and possibly some migrating whale species such as humpback whales or minke whales.

The conditions in the Drake Passage determine the exact departure time. 

Please note that starting in 2028, trips will last 11 days (10 nights), giving you an extra day in Antarctica.

Day 10: There and back again
Every adventure, no matter how great, must come to an end. Now it's time to disembark in Ushuaia—but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure takes you. 

POLAR DIVING
In the icy waters of the polar regions, a fascinating world of shimmering ice formations and surprisingly diverse marine life opens up beneath the surface. Between icebergs and under pack ice, divers encounter colorful soft corals, sea anemones, crabs, and other specialized organisms that are perfectly adapted to the extreme conditions.

The dives are accompanied by experienced guides and carefully planned. Safety is the top priority. Depending on weather and ice conditions, one to two dives with a maximum depth of about 20 meters are planned per day. Prerequisites for participation are extensive experience in cold water diving and routine in handling dry suits.

SNORKELING

Polar snorkeling excursions immerse you in a unique, icy underwater world where exotic marine life, crystal-clear waters, icebergs, and fascinating light effects await you. This activity can be booked as an additional program and allows you to enter the water directly from a Zodiac to experience life beneath the surface. All snorkeling sessions are accompanied by certified and experienced guides, and no prior experience is necessary. All equipment—including a dry suit, hood, gloves, booties, mask, snorkel, and fins—is provided.

Since the polar regions are subject to extreme weather and visibility conditions, flexibility is important, and sometimes snorkeling trips must be canceled for safety reasons.