Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge, the Scotia Ridge, until it comes above sea-level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The peninsula consists of an 800 kilometres (500 mile) long mountain chain, the highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet), and numerous off-lying islands. The Peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Visitors are easily overcome by sensory overload by the huge amount of ice-bergs.
Cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer
Take an exploratory expedition through some of Antarctica’s most wildlife-rich waters.
PLA29-23 The great Weddell Sea not only features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites, but it is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals and many other rarely seen...
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
11 Feb - 22 Feb, 2023
Price:
8400 USD
Ross Sea | Incl. helicopters - Campbell Island - Macquarie Island - Polar Circle - Ross Sea - Peter I Island - Antarctic Peninsula
Experience some of the far south’s most scenic locations on both sides of the antarctic circle, including Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, and Antarctica’s seldom-visited Ross Sea, which we plan to explore with helicopters
OTL28-23 Sail to the southern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, Peter I Island, the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas into the Ross Sea. Visiting the Ross Ice-shelf, Dry Valleys, McMurdo Station, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island and the historic huts of Scott...
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
17 Feb - 20 Mar, 2023
Price:
17050 USD
Antarctica - 'Basecamp'- free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
The best activity voyage in Antarctica
HDS29-23 The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
20 Feb - 4 Mar, 2023
Price:
on request
Antarctica
Whales, Penguins, and Golden Landscapes
PLA30-23 February and early March are the best times to delight in the most incredible densities of whale aggregations gorging on swarms of krill, take full advantage of warm, golden light for landscape photography, and watch penguin chicks chase parents for...
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
22 Feb - 8 Mar, 2023
Price:
on request
Antarctica - Polar Circle - Discovery and learning voyage
Crossing the Polar Circle
HDS30-23 This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
4 Mar - 14 Mar, 2023
Price:
7650 USD
Video Antarctic Expedition
Fan(tastic) photo
Customer story
Basecamp Plancius: A True Antarctic Adventure
It was New Year’s Eve, and I was dressed in a full-body penguin suit, making my way to the buffet. We were three days in
Blog
Charting Flanders Bay
Until then, this spot in the northwestern Antarctic Peninsula had only been charted three times since 1898, when it was
Highlights
See the highlights you may experience:
Wildlife
See the highlights you may experience:
Map of
Antarctic Peninsula cruise reviews
Good Cruise with great wildlife and awesome talks
The food and rooms were nice. The staff was pleasant and informative. They tried to get us into as many landings for wildlife viewing as possible. My favorite location was South Georgia Island where we say n
Falkland Inseln- Süd Georgien- Antarktik
Super organisiert und aus dem Wetter das Beste gemacht
Read full review »An incredible holiday
We had a marvellous holiday, enjoyed the junior suite and joined in all the zodiac expeditions. The food was excellent. The ship was very comfortable. The staff were second to none. Pippa and Michael need a
Read full review »A perfect trip
We were lucky with relatively calm seas and great weather so were able to zodiac cruise and land every day. Thank you so much to: the expedition team who tirelessly provided knowledge and wonderful experienc
Spectacular
This trip exceeded all our expectations in terms of spectacular scenery, prolific wildlife, superb crew and expeditions staff on the relatively small vessel MV Plancius which made for a very informal and rel
After three years waiting .......
What shall I say....... amazing!!! I didn't know what to expect. I met a hardworking team. A team with a lot of energy, with kindness, with love, with patience, that is helpful. On the whole ship, from captain
Antarctic Peninsula FAQ
What is the Time in the Antarctic Peninsula?
The Antarctic Peninsula follows Coordinated Universal Time -3 (UTC -3). This means that if it is 18:00 UTC-3 (6 p.m.) during your expedition cruise trip to the Antarctic Peninsula , it would be 17:00 (5 p.m.) in New York City, USA and 22:00 (10 p.m.)
Read more »What is the Temperature and Weather Like in the Antarctic Peninsula?
The climate in the Antarctic Peninsula is much milder than most people would imagine because it is located near the most northerly part of Antarctica. If you travel to the Antarctic Peninsula during January, which is summertime, you can expect an av
Read more »What Wildlife Can I See in the Antarctic Peninsula?
Animal lovers who take their holiday in the Antarctic Peninsula will be treated to a diverse list of wildlife that is especially suited to the area’s cold climate. It is common to encounter several penguin species such as the Gentoo penguins. O
Read more »What Unique Features Does the Antarctic Peninsula Have?
The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most beautiful regions of the entire continent. Your cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula will reveal the most diverse mixture of wildlife throughout Antarctica. The scenery in this region is dramatic, filled with
Read more »What happens if we cannot camp?
Our expedition leaders always do their best to ensure the camping activity is carried out, but sometimes this is impossible due to unsafe environmental conditions. If such is the case, we may offer camping on the outer decks of the ship.
Read more »What equipment is needed to make photos of the solar eclipse, and do passengers have to bring that equipment themselves?
That depends on whether they only want eclipse photography or also pictures of wildlife and landscapes. Advise the passengers to look at the photography pages on our website. We avoid saying what specific equipment they might need, as this is very su
Read more »
About
Antarctic Peninsula Weather
The weather patterns on the Peninsula can vary significantly depending on where you are. The west coast of the Peninsula down to about 68°S are actually fairly mild with the local summers averaging around 0°C and the winters only dipping down to around -10°C.
Moving below 63°S along the west coast the averages drop to -15°C in the winter.
Facts about the Antarctic Peninsula
- The Peninsula is the only part of the Antarctic that extends out beyond the border of the Antarctic Circle. It is the part of the continent that is the furthest out from the South Pole.
- The only flowering plants on the continent (the Antarctic Pearlwart and the Antarctic Hair-grass) are found on the Peninsula.
- The Peninsula is about 2000 km long.
- The Peninsula was originally named the Palmer Peninsula by the U.S., named after an American explorer who journeyed to the area in November of 1820. Other countries later gave it different names – Graham Land and Trinity Peninsula (Britain, 1832), San Martin Land (Argentina, 1940), and O’Higgins Land (Chile, 1942). It didn’t gain the name of the Antarctic Peninsula until 1964 when an international agreement was reached.
- The Peninsula is regulated under the international Antarctic Treaty System which promotes use of the area for scientific study (especially in regards to environmental safety). There are currently 28 research posts stationed along the Peninsula.
- The Peninsula is actually a continuation of the Andes Mountains which run down almost the entire west coast of South America
- There are 28 countries currently contributing to the scientific research conducted on the Peninsula.
Travel to the Antarctic Peninsula
An Antarctic Peninsula cruise carries you into a world of beautiful stark landscapes and a surprisingly vast array of animal life. Embark on one of our Antarctic Peninsula expeditions and use our ice strengthened cruise ships as a home base as you explore the region while snowshoeing & hiking, kayaking, bird watching, mountaineering, or even camping overnight onshore.
Your Antarctic Peninsula holiday will introduce you to 5 seal species, 37 flying seabird species, whales, and more penguins than you can count.
