CROSSING THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE 22FEB25

Drake Passage Navigation

Navigating the intrepid Drake Passage is made for the boldest of explorers. Petrels and albatrosses that glide across the skies guide the way. To witness its awesome power makes the journey to Antarctica all the more triumphant.

The Drake Passage leads you from the southernmost region of the Americas to the Antarctic Peninsula, the northern point of The White Continent. This waterway where cold southern ocean meets warm northern sea water creates powerful currents that test your mettle.

But the rewards for the journeyer that braves these waters do not compare. The meeting of warm and cold waters creates an environment that attracts extraordinary wildlife. Drake Passage offers the chance to witness the likes of humpback whales and hourglass dolphins that accompany the voyage. The soundtrack of the 48-hour journey through the Drake Passage includes the crash of the ocean against the ship and the cry of petrels, skuas, and gulls.

While the waterway is famous for its challenging navigation, you may still get another side of the Drake Passage. On some occasions, the channel is calm and tranquil, making for a pleasant voyage into Antarctica. That’s one of the more splendid characteristics of the Drake Passage – you never know what you will get.

As you emerge from the Drake Passage, the mammoth, icy peaks of the South Shetland Islands loom ahead, greeting you on your victorious landing. You have completed the rite of passage to explore the seventh continent.

As you cross the Antarctic Circle at the 66th southern parallel, you enter what feels like another world, creating a connection with your inner explorer spirit. It’s a space rarely navigated, with narrower channels that bring you closer to ice floes, snow-capped mountain peaks and wondrous icebergs, making for a picture-perfect scene. When you do make the crossing, you join the Order of the Red Nose, the select few who navigate deep into the furthest reaches of The White Continent, an unbeatable feeling of triumph.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE – The Antarctic Circle Crossing may be attempted on a different date during the expedition than indicated on the itinerary due to changing conditions. Expeditions at certain times of the season are not guaranteed to cross the circle as they depend on weather and ice conditions that may limit the ability to navigate that far south. Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Part of the greater Antarctica region, the South Shetland Islands contain plenty of wildlife, scenic landscapes, hiking opportunities and magnificent viewpoints that inspire a sense of discovering another world. A possible landing on Elephant Island, named for the shape of its cliffside and the elephant seals that call it home, puts you on the same path as the famous Shackleton Expedition. Deception Island, another possible landing and named for its very nature, is in fact a volcanic caldera where you can find heated springs amid the striking black sands. Other stops could include Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbor, Point Wild and Barrientos Island, where you can find plenty of Gentoo penguin rookeries.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Navigating the intrepid Drake Passage is made for the boldest of explorers. Petrels and albatrosses that glide across the skies guide the way. To witness its awesome power makes the journey to Antarctica all the more triumphant.

The Drake Passage leads you from the southernmost region of the Americas to the Antarctic Peninsula, the northern point of The White Continent. This waterway where cold southern ocean meets warm northern sea water creates powerful currents that test your mettle.

But the rewards for the journeyer that braves these waters do not compare. The meeting of warm and cold waters creates an environment that attracts extraordinary wildlife. Drake Passage offers the chance to witness the likes of humpback whales and hourglass dolphins that accompany the voyage. The soundtrack of the 48-hour journey through the Drake Passage includes the crash of the ocean against the ship and the cry of petrels, skuas, and gulls.

While the waterway is famous for its challenging navigation, you may still get another side of the Drake Passage. On some occasions, the channel is calm and tranquil, making for a pleasant voyage into Antarctica. That’s one of the more splendid characteristics of the Drake Passage – you never know what you will get.

As you emerge from the Drake Passage, the mammoth, icy peaks of the South Shetland Islands loom ahead, greeting you on your victorious landing. You have completed the rite of passage to explore the seventh continent.

Although its nickname the “End of the World” – derived from its location along the southernmost tip of South America among the Tierra del Fuego archipelago – Ushuaia is far from the end of any adventure. Where the Andes meet the Beagle Channel and the snow-capped Martial Mountains sit behind a sprawling city of colorful buildings, lies a lively town ready and waiting to take you on the thrill ride of a lifetime. Scenes like Parque Yatana give you the chance to immerse yourself in the rich, indigenous culture.