Destinations & Ports
Explore Antarctica destinations and departure ports
Aitcho Islands
A group of small islands between Greenwich and Robert Islands, famous for mixed colonies of gentoo and chinstrap penguins. A top landing site for Antarctic expedition cruises.
Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle marks a rare achievement, offering isolated beauty, sea ice, and hardy wildlife like whales and seals in one of Earth’s most untouched regions.
Antarctica Peninsula
Known for stunning glaciers, mountains, and abundant wildlife, is the easiest-to-reach region. It offers unforgettable encounters with whales, seals, and bustling penguin colonies.
Brown Station
Seasonal Argentine research base surrounded by glaciers and wildlife. Its scenic views and rich history make it a memorable Antarctic destination.
Falkland Islands
A blend of stunning landscapes, thriving wildlife, and unique culture. Known for penguins, albatrosses, and seals, these islands are a captivating prelude to Antarctic adventures.
Half Moon Island
A crescent-shaped island and one of the most popular Antarctic cruise destinations. Features 2,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins, 100 pairs of south polar skuas, and stunning views of Livingston Island.
South Georgia Islands
A wildlife haven with vast king penguin colonies, elephant seals, and ties to Shackleton’s history. Its rugged beauty and abundant life make it unforgettable.
Weddell Sea
A remote and stunning region, the Weddell Sea is known for its massive ice shelves, emperor penguins, and pristine, untouched Antarctic landscapes.
Adare Peninsula
Adare Peninsula in Antarctica is home to historic sites, penguin colonies, and research stations. Its icy landscapes and abundant wildlife make it a fascinating stop for polar explorers and history enthusiasts.
Amundsen Sea
The Amundsen Sea, off Antarctica’s coast, is known for its vast ice shelves, dramatic glaciers, and rich wildlife, including penguins and seals, offering a unique and isolated polar exploration experience.
Antarctic Sound
Known as “Iceberg Alley,” the Antarctic Sound offers dramatic views of towering icebergs and glaciers,
Antipodes Islands
Volcanic sub-Antarctic island group
Auckland Islands
Sub-Antarctic archipelago with unique wildlife
Balleny Islands
The Balleny Islands are a remote and rugged Antarctic archipelago known for their striking volcanic landscapes, icy cliffs, and diverse wildlife, including penguins and seals, offering an untouched wilderness experience.
Bellingshausen Sea
The Bellingshausen Sea, off Antarctica’s western coast, is known for its vast ice shelves, towering glaciers, and rich marine life, offering a stunning and remote polar experience with opportunities for wildlife sightings.
Biscoe Islands
A pristine and rugged group of islands, the Biscoe Islands offer breathtaking ice formations, wildlife sightings, and an untouched Antarctic wilderness experience.
Campbell Island
Remote sub-Antarctic island
Cape Hallett
A remote Antarctic outpost, Cape Hallett features towering glaciers, abundant Adélie penguins, and breathtaking views of the Admiralty Mountains in one of the continent’s most isolated regions.
Cape Horn
Cape Horn, at the southern tip of South America, is famous for its fierce winds, towering cliffs, and unpredictable seas. A legendary route for sailors, it marks the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and offers breathtaking, remote landscapes.
Chilean Fjords
Spectacular network of fjords in Chilean Patagonia
Clarence Island
A remote, mountainous island at the eastern end of the South Shetland Islands. Rising to 1,950m at Mount Irving, Clarence Island was sighted by Shackleton during his famous boat voyage to South Georgia.
Danco Island
A stunning island known for its Adélie penguin colonies and dramatic landscapes, Danco Island offers travelers a true Antarctic wilderness experience.
Deception Island
Active volcanic caldera with unique geothermal features
Drake Passage
The Drake Passage, a crossing between South America and Antarctica, is an iconic part of any Antarctic journey, offering wildlife sightings and dramatic ocean views.
Elephant Island
Historic site of Shackleton's epic survival story
Fjordland
Fiordland, a breathtaking region in New Zealand, is home to deep fjords, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforests. Known for Milford and Doubtful Sound, it offers incredible scenery, rich wildlife, and world-class hiking.
Gibbs Island
A small, ice-covered island lying between Elephant Island and King George Island. Part of the eastern island group that includes Clarence and Elephant Islands.
Greenwich Island
A key island in the South Shetland chain, site of Discovery Bay and adjacent to the popular Aitcho Islands. Home to Chilean research stations and rich in Antarctic wildlife.
Hermite Islands
The Hermite Islands, located near Cape Horn, are a remote and windswept archipelago known for their rugged cliffs, dramatic scenery, and diverse marine life. These uninhabited islands are a haven for seabirds, sea lions, and explorers seeking untouched wilderness.
Hope Bay
Hope Bay, on the northern Antarctic Peninsula, is home to Argentina’s Esperanza Base and a thriving Adélie penguin colony. It offers a mix of wildlife, icy landscapes, and insights into life at a year-round research station.
King Edward Cove
A beautiful and serene bay on South Georgia Island, King Edward Cove is a haven for wildlife and a perfect spot for exploring the island’s dramatic landscapes.
Lemaire Channel
The spectacular "Kodak Gap" of Antarctica
Low Island
The southwesternmost island of the South Shetland chain, named for its low elevation. Separated from Smith Island by Osmar Strait and composed mainly of Cretaceous volcanic rocks.
Macquarie Island
A UNESCO-listed subantarctic island, Macquarie is famed for its massive penguin colonies, abundant wildlife, and unique geology, offering an unforgettable remote expedition experience.
Marguerite Bay
Large bay south of the Antarctic Circle
Nelson Island
A large glaciated island in the central South Shetlands, located between King George Island and Robert Island. Home to diverse wildlife including gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
Paradise Bay
One of Antarctica's most beautiful and visited locations
Penguin Island
A small volcanic island near King George Island, named by Bransfield in 1820 for its penguin colonies. Features Deacon Peak (170m) offering panoramic views and evidence of recent volcanic activity.
Port Lockroy
A historic former research station on Goudier Island, Port Lockroy offers fascinating history and abundant Gentoo penguin colonies, making it a must-visit for Antarctic explorers.
Port Stanley
Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, is a charming town known for its British heritage, colorful houses, and rich maritime history. It serves as a gateway to the islands’ stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, including penguins and seals.
Robert Island
An island in the South Shetland chain between Nelson and Greenwich Islands, featuring the ice-free Coppermine Peninsula with raised marine terraces from ancient sea levels.
Ross Island
Ross Island is an Antarctic destination known for its volcanic landscapes, historic sites, and abundant wildlife, including penguins. It is home to Scott and Shackleton’s expedition huts, offering rich history and unique exploration opportunities.
Ross Sea
A pristine Antarctic region, features vast ice shelves, glaciers, and wildlife like emperor penguins. It’s a rare destination for expeditions, offering history-rich exploration with visits to historic explorer huts.
Smith Island
Home to Mount Foster (2,025m), the highest peak in the South Shetland Islands. A dramatic, heavily glaciated mountainous island with exposures of rare blueschist metamorphic rocks.
Snares Islands
Pristine sub-Antarctic island group
Snow Hill Island
Home to Emperor penguin colonies
Snow Island
A largely ice-covered island southwest of Livingston Island, notable for President Head Peninsula with its exposed geological formations and fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks.
South Orkney Islands
A remote and wildlife-rich group of islands, the South Orkney Islands are home to penguins, seals, and research stations, offering a remote Antarctic adventure.
South Sandwich Islands
Remote volcanic arc in the South Atlantic
South Shetland Islands
A chain of 11 major Antarctic islands stretching 500km across the Drake Passage. Includes volcanic Deception Island, wildlife-rich Half Moon Island, and King George Island with its research stations and fly-cruise airport.
Stewart Island
New Zealand's third largest island
Strait of Magellan
The Strait of Magellan is a long, winding sea passage at the southern tip of South America, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans between mainland Chile and Tierra del Fuego, and is renowned for its historical importance and challenging navigation.
Terra Nova Bay
A key research hub in East Antarctica, Terra Nova Bay boasts stunning ice cliffs, abundant wildlife, and international research stations, offering a glimpse into Antarctic science and exploration.
Beagle Channel
Historic strait between Argentina and Chile
Brown Bluff
Volcanic bluff with Adelie and gentoo penguins
Crystal Sound
Pristine sound filled with icebergs south of the Antarctic Circle
Cuverville Island
Home to the largest gentoo penguin colony on the Antarctic Peninsula
Devil Island
Gerlache Strait
Major waterway along the Antarctic Peninsula
Isla Pingüino
Larsen Ice Shelf
Livingston Island
Second-largest of the South Shetland Islands
Neko Harbour
Continental landing site with active glacier
Neuschwabenland
Paulet Island
Historic site with massive Adelie penguin colony
Peninsula Valdés
UNESCO World Heritage site for marine wildlife
Punta Pirámides
Shag Rocks
Rocky outcrops between Falklands and South Georgia
Buenos Aires
A dynamic cultural hub, Buenos Aires offers a blend of rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, tango, and excellent cuisine, making it the perfect starting point for Antarctic adventures.
Dunedin
A charming city with stunning wildlife and historic architecture, Dunedin is a peaceful departure point for Antarctic expeditions, offering a perfect mix of culture and nature.
King George Island
The largest of the South Shetland Islands, King George Island is a hub for research stations and fly-cruise expeditions, offering stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Puerto Williams
A peaceful and remote town on Navarino Island, Puerto Williams offers a tranquil departure point for Antarctic expeditions, surrounded by stunning nature and rich cultural history.
Punta Arenas
Located in southern Chile, Punta Arenas is a historical city and key departure point for Antarctic fly-cruise expeditions, offering stunning views, rich culture, and abundant wildlife.
Ushuaia
The southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is the perfect launchpad for Antarctic expeditions, offering stunning landscapes, rich history, and a range of outdoor adventures.
Cape Town
A vibrant South African city with stunning landscapes, Cape Town serves as a unique departure point for Antarctic expeditions, offering both cultural richness and scenic beauty before venturing south.
Christchurch
Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City,” is a vibrant departure point for Antarctic expeditions, offering easy access to the stunning South Island landscapes and the Antarctic gateway.
Hobart
A scenic gateway to Antarctica, Hobart offers a blend of maritime history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, making it the perfect launchpad for Southern Ocean expeditions.
Montevideo
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s most iconic city, blends stunning beaches, towering mountains, and a lively cultural scene. Home to Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the famous Carnival, it offers breathtaking views and endless energy.
Santiago
Santiago is Chile’s dynamic capital, offering a blend of culture, history, and stunning views of the Andes, serving as a key gateway to Antarctic expeditions.
Puerto Madryn
Gateway to Peninsula Valdés and Welsh Patagonia
Puerto Montt
Gateway to Chilean Patagonia and the Lake District
St. Helena
Remote island in the Atlantic Ocean, historically significant as Napoleon's place of exile, offering unique wildlife and dramatic volcanic landscapes.