Antarctica / South Pole Tours from Ushuaia
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10 best Antarctica / South Pole tours from Ushuaia
Compiled by
MelissaUshuaia travel expert at TourRadar
- Christmas in Antarctica
- Animal Paradises Falkland and South Georgia
- Sporty Basecamp in the Antarctic
- Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer
- Classic Antarctica - 11 days
- South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula - Ocean Victory & Ocean Albatros vessels
- Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica - Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory 18D/17N
- Antarctica - The Polar Circle
- Quest for the Antarctic Circle
- Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, Operated by Quark
The M/V Sea Spirit carries passengers from Ushuaia's port through Beagle Channel and Drake Passage. The 12-day, 1,000-nautical-mile round-trip ventures through South Shetland Islands to Antarctic Peninsula.
Duration 12 days Destinations Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $19,779
10% Off- NZ$17,803You save $1,977
Duration 19 days Destinations Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island Age Range up to 85 year olds Operated in English, German Operator DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen From
10% Off- NZ$18,841
This 13-day Antarctic adventure aboard MV Hondius travels from Ushuaia across Drake Passage to Antarctic Peninsula. The itinerary includes Pléneau Island, Paradise Bay, and Neko Harbour, with Zodiac transfers between ship and shore.
Duration 13 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Inventia From
10% Off- NZ$16,747
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great trip. One of best ones ever.”
Sam, traveled in January
Your Antarctic voyage launches from Ushuaia's port through Beagle Channel, covering 1,000km across Drake Passage to Antarctic Peninsula. Four days of South Shetland Islands and Peninsula exploration precede the return to Ushuaia, with comprehensive onboard programming.
Duration 11 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- NZ$16,220
The 11-day Antarctic voyage sails from Ushuaia's port through Beagle Channel and Mackinlay Pass, crossing 540 kilometers of Drake Passage. The route continues through South Shetland Islands to the Antarctic Peninsula, featuring Paradise Bay and Petermann Island.
Duration 11 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- NZ$12,545
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula - Ocean Victory & Ocean Albatros vessels
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The food was good, the lectures were informative, the equipment was great.”
Christina, traveled in December
This Antarctic expedition launches from Ushuaia, Argentina's southernmost city, sailing 600 miles across Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Peninsula. South Shetland Islands, King George Island, and Paradise Bay are key destinations during this 10-day adventure.
Duration 10 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operator Albatros Expeditions From
10% Off- NZ$13,575
Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica - Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory 18D/17N
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
The ship sails from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, crossing the Drake Passage to reach the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Zodiac excursions take you through the Gerlache Strait region to Paradise Bay, Neko Harbour, and Wilhelmina Bay before returning across Drake Passage.
Duration 18 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands, Antarctica Age Range 12 to 100 year olds Operator Albatros Expeditions From
10% Off- NZ$28,668
The voyage sets sail from Ushuaia, crossing 600 nautical miles of Drake Passage to reach South Shetland Islands. The route continues through Gerlache Strait and Lemaire Channel before attempting to cross the Antarctic Circle. The ship returns via Drake Passage to Ushuaia during the 15-day cruise.
Duration 15 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator World Expeditions From
10% Off- NZ$23,600
Quest for the Antarctic Circle
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Zodiac outings excellent. So much wildlife to see. Worth the extra days and money to cross into the polar circle.”
Melissa, traveled in February
The G Expedition sets sail from Ushuaia, crossing 1000km of Drake Passage. The route includes Beagle Channel and South Shetland Islands before heading south toward Antarctic Circle, with wildlife watching opportunities and lectures before returning to Ushuaia.
Duration 14 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$19,099
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, Operated by Quark
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The spectacular beauty of the scenery was breathtaking- sensory overload.”
Jacqueline, traveled in March
The RCGS Resolute sails from Ushuaia, Argentina, with 2-day Drake Passage crossing each way. The ship navigates south through Beagle Channel to Antarctic Peninsula, exploring South Shetland Islands before crossing Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S. Weather permitting, the return includes rounding Cape Horn, covering approximately 2,000 nautical miles round-trip.
Duration 14 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range 18 to 80 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
10% Off- NZ$40,030
What people love about Antarctica / South Pole Tours from Ushuaia
- South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula - Ocean Victory & Ocean Albatros vessels
The crew, the food, the service is wonderful ~~~
- Antarctica Classic
Thanks for everything . Nice and knowlegable staff .
- Antarctica Classic in Depth
This expedition to Antarctica was brilliant and so special. A chance to see the last frontier and the unique flora and fauna of this amazing place. The specialist team were amazing with their insiteful seminars that added to the experience and a shout out to the great crew above and below decks. All-in-all a unique and a very special experience. Thankyou. Steve and Elizabeth
What our customers ask about Antarctica / South Pole Tours from Ushuaia
What is the average length of Antarctica tours starting from Ushuaia?
Most Antarctica expeditions from Ushuaia take between 11 and 20 days with popular routes to the Antarctic Peninsula lasting 11-14 days. Ships like the Ocean Explorer and Ocean Victory take travelers to key spots such as Paradise Bay Neko Harbour and the Lemaire Channel. A recent TourRadar traveler noted: "The 14-day Quest for the Antarctic Circle trip was life changing and sooo worth it."
What are the key departure points in Ushuaia for Antarctic cruises?
Ushuaia offers three main departure points for Antarctic bound vessels. Large ships like the Ocean Endeavour leave from the Main Maritime Terminal while smaller expedition vessels use the Tourist Pier. Some adventure ships depart from the Commercial Pier. Many tours begin with briefings at local hotels like the Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa or Los Cauquenes Resort where travelers report "the embarkation process from the port was very smooth and well-organized."
What should I explore in Ushuaia before departing for Antarctica?
The gateway city to Antarctica offers several worthy stops before departure. The Museo del Fin del Mundo provides context about regional history while Tierra del Fuego National Park presents hiking trails and local wildlife. The main street Avenida San Martín features shops and restaurants serving local specialties like Patagonian lamb and Fuegian seafood. One traveler notes: "I had some time before departure and the Tierra del Fuego National Park visit was absolutely worth it for experiencing the southernmost national park in the world."
What types of vessels depart from Ushuaia for Antarctica?
Ushuaia's Antarctic fleet includes ice-strengthened expedition ships that accommodate various group sizes. The G Expedition carries 116 passengers while larger vessels like the MV Sea Spirit and MV Hondius take up to 170 guests. Accommodation ranges from shared quad cabins to private suites. According to one guest: "The G Expedition was comfortable and nicely maintained with plenty of viewing areas and great facilities including a library and lecture room."
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see departing from Ushuaia?
The journey begins with seabirds like albatross and petrels in the Beagle Channel. Antarctic waters bring sightings of multiple penguin species including Gentoo Adelie and Chinstrap varieties. Seals (Weddell crabeater leopard) and whales (humpback minke orca) frequently appear. One traveler reports: "We had a 'whale' of a time watching six whales doing a synchronized performance plus countless penguin encounters!"
What is the best time to visit Antarctica on tours from Ushuaia?
Antarctic expedition season runs November through March. December and January offer up to 20 hours of daylight and the warmest temperatures. February and March excel for whale watching while November showcases dramatic ice formations and penguin courtship rituals. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "The crew expertly timed our February voyage for optimal whale sightings and calmer Drake Passage crossings."
More about Ushuaia
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