Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
This is the classic way to see Antarctica. Some of the most scenic spots and famous landmarks are found in this part of the Frozen Continent.
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5 reasons for crossing the Antarctic Circle
- Join the elite club of travellers who have reached the intangible 66 degree line of latitude
- These longer Antarctic Circle trips afford more time to actually explore Antarctica
- Pushing further south than most other voyages go, explore this less visited part of the Peninsula
- Experience 24 hours of daylight in high summer once inside the Antarctic Circle
- With luck, reach magnificent Crystal Sound then steam on to Marguerite Bay
Our most popular Antarctic Circle Cruises
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.3 out of 5
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Spend 6 full days exploring Antarctica with the Polar Circle at 66 degrees south as your most southerly objective, on board one of the most exciting new vessels. A maximum of just 132 passengers, with spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology and…
- 12-15 Days
- $16,195
3.8 out of 5
Crossing the Circle in Style
Journey beyond the Antarctic Circle in real comfort aboard a state-of-the-art expedition ship. Spend an extended period of 7 action-packed days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Attractive comprehensive transfer package from Buenos Aires available on select departures. Wide choice of optional…
- 14 Days
- $20,490
4.6 out of 5
Traversing the Antarctic Circle
For an unparalleled Polar Circle experience spending 8 full days in Antarctica, choose this trip. Head south when penguin and whale activity is at its peak, accompanied by a highly experienced team. This elegant 139-passenger ship combines true comfort and…
- 15 Days
- $15,555
An epic 23-day voyage which packs in an astonishing 7 days in Antarctica, 4 days in wildlife-rich South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south. It's very rare to find a trip combining all three places. Limited departure…
- 23 Days
- $39,490
4.8 out of 5
Antarctic Circle Odyssey
Sail south to the iconic Polar Circle for 7 full days exploring the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula as part of an epic 14-day adventure. Pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia and a 3-in-1 parka jacket are included. An optional one-off…
- 14 Days
- $18,995
4.5 out of 5
66 Degrees South Fly Cruise
By offering time saving flights, extended time in Antarctica and the chance to reach the Polar Circle, this 10-day voyage maximises the polar experience. Minimum travel time and maximum exploring time and all the benefits of only 73 people…
- 10 Days
- $15,995
4.8 out of 5
South of the Antarctic Circle
By including optional kayaking and diving, these late season voyages offer the chance to maximise your polar crossing experience by exploring Antarctica both on and under the water. Travelling at that time provides excellent photographic and whale watching conditions, alongside…
- 12, 13 or 14 Days
- $10,000
Viewpoints from the deck
Stonington Island's historic Base E
Blue icebergs
The Lemaire Channel, en route to the Antarctic Circle
Humpback whale showing its flukes
A leopard seal out on the ice
Highlights of the Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
For many polar travellers, just making it to the 7th Continent is achievement enough, but crossing the Antarctic Circle is where you’ll find the most select group of enthusiasts, inspired by the romance of some of the world’s greatest explorers.
This frozen line of latitude of almost mythic proportions lies at 66°33’ south. Crossing the Arctic Circle in the north is a relatively straightforward proposition, but very few travellers ever get to make it this far south. Achieving the Circle means sailing much further south than on a classic Antarctic Peninsula trip – which in turn means that these cruises get to spend more time exploring Antarctica.
As you sail south, the landscapes become starker and even more untamed, until the ship’s navigation announces your arrival. While there’s no ‘sign’ that you’ve crossed the line, the crew and expedition team traditionally hold an on board celebration, to celebrate your graduation into a very select travel club indeed.
Remoteness
Sailing below the Antarctic Circle is an opportunity to truly see another side of the White Continent. While the Peninsula can feel like a relatively intimate environment, the landscapes south of the Circle offer up a complete change: expansive, raw and rugged. Antarctica here feels even more untamed than you can imagine.
Locations visited on an Antarctic Circle cruise can include the stunning Crystal Sound, where many ships cross the Circle, the epic glaciers of Marguerite Bay and Red Rock Ridge, one of the continental landing sites south of the Circle. A true highlights is attempting to pass through The Gullet, a strait so narrow you can almost reach out and touch the rocks either side of you. Add in the ice floating in the water and it's one of the most dramatic passages in Antarctica.
Sailing beneath the Antarctic Circle feels like entering a land no one else has encountered: with relatively few visitors, yours are sure to be the first footprints in the snow.
History
Sailing south of the Circle allows you to connect with a history of Antarctica that has been literally frozen in time. The region has a number of abandoned research bases that transport you back to the early frontiers of polar science.
Horseshoe Island, Detaille Island and Stonington Island are all home to a series of British research bases established in the 1940s and 1950s. They have been perfectly preserved by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, and several of their buildings are open to be explored – even with original tins of food still on the shelves. Base E, on Stonington Island is especially notable as the place where Edith ‘Jackie’ Ronne stayed in 1947-48: the first woman to overwinter in Antarctica.
Other pioneers are remembered in the landscapes here: the delightfully-named Pourqoui-Pas Island for instance takes its name from the ship of Jean-Baptiste Charcot’s French Antarctic Expedition in 1907.
Wildlife
Visitors to the Antarctic Circle often anticipate that the further south they travel, the richer the wildlife experience, su learn that this isn’t actually the case.
The large penguin colonies that are a feature of the northern Antarctic Peninsula are absent south of the circle. If you see penguins, they are likely to be individuals or in isolated groups. Adelie penguins are the most likely species to spot.
There will be a small number of seals, with a chance of seeing crabeater seals, which are more dependent on sea ice for their lifestyle. A notable exception to the scarcity of wildlife is if your ship makes it to Jenny Island, which is known for its fur seals and elephant seals, particularly late in the season.
While the Circle is more about the scenery than the wildlife, the voyage here still passes along the northern Peninsula, so there will be plenty of opportunities for classic Antarctic wildlife watching.
What our customers think of Antarctic Circle Cruises
Antarctic Circle Cruises trips scored 4.4/5 from 100 reviews
Crossing the circle was an achievement, especially as so few tourist ships make it that far south. Learning about the history of the place while being there also made a great impact, as did the other talks about the wildlife.
Travelled: February 2018
Sue - Australia
The highlight was watching a leopard seal peeping up to check the icebergs, diving back in, swimming under our zodiac and eventually deciding on a flattish iceberg. Rolled on its back to give himself a good scratch, then fell asleep in the sun!
Travelled: January 2018
Lucien & Marie-Eve - South Africa
For me, the highlight was crossing the Antarctic circle. Unbelievable landscapes and wildlife. Loved the whole experience, very impressive. Read the full review
Travelled: January 2018
Tony & Penny Devries - United States Of America
Incredible! Every day was surprising, filled with adventure. I would encourage anyone considering it but who might be nervous to go for it!
Travelled: December 2017
Deidre - New York
Top marks to Swoop Antarctica - we can’t thank you enough for going over and beyond your remit. Advice for future visitors: these guys know their stuff - listen and ask. They have a passion that they just want to share.
Travelled: December 2017
Sam - UK
Review:
From One to One Hundred
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About Antarctic Circle cruises
What is the Antarctic Circle?
The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth (the innermost of the two circles around the outside of the continent). Voyages that cross it have been designed not only for you to explore the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, but also to reach that all-important goal of crossing the circle at 66 degrees south.
Very few travellers make it this far south, thus in doing so, you'll become part of an elite group of people who have not only walked on the great white continent itself, but also ventured to some of the most secluded spots in the Antarctic.
Are you guaranteed to cross the Antarctic Circle?
While all efforts by the captain and expeditionary leader will be made to cross into the Antarctic Circle, and typically they are successful, it will always depend on the weather and local ice conditions.
This uncertainty is always present on any Antarctic voyage and underlines the challenges and unknowns of travelling in such a remote and logistically challenging region. On successfully reaching 66 degrees south, however, you can be guaranteed that the occasion will be suitably marked.
Loli says
It's a whole day's sailing to reach the Polar Circle, but the ice down there is thick enough to just drop the ship's gangway and walk straight out on to it.
Loli Figueroa Polar Specialist
How much longer is an Antarctic Circle cruise?
Ice and mountains, Antarctic Peninsula
As well as the kudos attached to bisecting the Antarctic Circle, these voyages also carry the distinct benefit of actually spending more time in Antarctica than any other Antarctic voyage.
On a classic Antarctic Peninsula cruise, you typically spend four days actually in Antarctica, excluding the time involved in getting to Antarctica and back. On an Antarctic Circle cruise, this increases to 6-7 days in Antarctica, the main reason being that you need extra time for the longer journey south to the circle. So for anyone looking to maximise their time in Antarctica, this is the cruise for you.
Will I see more wildlife?
The short answer is, no. Wildlife, in fact, starts to thin out the further south you travel towards the Antarctic Circle, with wildlife found in greater numbers further north in the area you will travel through. What you will notice however are increasingly stark landscapes, heavier ice and fewer ships.
If seeing as much wildlife as possible is important to you, we would strongly recommend you also consider incorporating South Georgia and the Falkland Islands into your Antarctic cruise.
How much does an Antarctic Circle cruise cost?
In comparison to a shorter Antarctic Peninsula trip, these Antarctic Circle departures are more expensive reflecting the extra days in Antarctica, greater distances travelled and that there are fewer of them.
Antarctic Circle voyages start from $7,600 per person for 6 days in Antarctica but will depend on the boat and cabin you choose. However, given the not insignificant time, effort and money that you will be investing to get to Antarctica, this relatively modest additional cost for 50% more time is well worth considering.
When should I book?
With far fewer Antarctic Circle departures each year than the shorter classic Antarctic Peninsula voyages, it really is a case of 'the sooner the better'. To be confident of securing your first choice that means booking 12-18 months in advance of your planned trip.
Fly & Cruise the Antarctic Circle
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.5 out of 5
66 Degrees South Fly Cruise
By offering time saving flights, extended time in Antarctica and the chance to reach the Polar Circle, this 10-day voyage maximises the polar experience. Minimum travel time and maximum exploring time and all the benefits of only 73 people…
- 10 Days
- $15,995
4.7 out of 5
Fly & Cruise Polar Circle
This impressive voyage combines all the comfort and speed of flying in both directions with extended time in Antarctica (7 full days) allowing you to head south towards the remote Antarctic Circle. Explore from the comfort of your outstanding purpose-built…
- 10 Days
- $22,495
4.3 out of 5
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Spend 6 full days exploring Antarctica with the Polar Circle at 66 degrees south as your most southerly objective, on board one of the most exciting new vessels. A maximum of just 132 passengers, with spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology and…
- 12-15 Days
- $16,195
Antarctic Circle Voyages
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.8 out of 5
Antarctic Circle Odyssey
Sail south to the iconic Polar Circle for 7 full days exploring the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula as part of an epic 14-day adventure. Pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia and a 3-in-1 parka jacket are included. An optional one-off…
- 14 Days
- $18,995
An epic 23-day voyage which packs in an astonishing 7 days in Antarctica, 4 days in wildlife-rich South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south. It's very rare to find a trip combining all three places. Limited departure…
- 23 Days
- $39,490
4.5 out of 5
Polar Circle Adventure
Travelling in January, at the height of the Austral summer, when weather and wildlife are arguably at their optimum, spend 15 days aboard a comfortable 114-passenger expedition ship as you make your way south to bisect the intangible Polar…
- 15 Days
- $12,795
5 out of 5
Encounter the Antarctic Circle
An extended voyage to the peninsula with 6 full days exploring the White Continent. Your comfortable 175 passenger ship will sail towards 66 degrees south in pursuit of the remote Antarctic Circle. An ice-strengthened PC6 hull allows your vessel to…
- 12 Days
- $10,995
4.8 out of 5
Quest for the Antarctic Circle
Aboard a very capable and spacious 134-passenger vessel, spend 7 days exploring the Peninsula with the planned highlight being reaching the Polar Circle. This 14-day trip benefits from spacious cabins and outer decks, and the option to camp out or…
- 14 Days
- $10,199
This fantastic trip covers all the must-see highlights of an extended Antarctic expedition. With 21 nights aboard, you will venture far south past vast icebergs to cross the Antarctic Circle before taking in jaw-dropping king penguin colonies in the wildlife…
- 23 Days
- $31,495
Luxury Polar Circle Cruises
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.6 out of 5
Traversing the Antarctic Circle
For an unparalleled Polar Circle experience spending 8 full days in Antarctica, choose this trip. Head south when penguin and whale activity is at its peak, accompanied by a highly experienced team. This elegant 139-passenger ship combines true comfort and…
- 15 Days
- $15,555
For a breathtaking tour of the very best of the Southern Ocean - including the rare combination of both South Georgia and the Polar Circle - this 17-day voyage is hard to beat. All aboard a modern, fast super-yacht with…
- 17 Days
- $19,948
Swoop says
Some people mistakenly think that you'll see more wildlife and extraordinary scenery on a polar circle trip, in fact the opposite is true. South of Port Lockroy, wildlife becomes increasingly sparse and the scenery more austere.
Antarctic Circle cruises: FAQs
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Am I guaranteed to cross the Antarctic Circle?
All Antarctic cruises are expeditionary in nature: this is a place of extreme environments and Mother Nature always has the final say in any itinerary.
Your ship's Captain and Expedition Leader will make all efforts to cross into the Antarctic Circle. It is rare for a dedicated Antarctic Circle trip to fail to complete its main objective, but the crossing is always subject to local weather and ice conditions. Getting to travel through this remote and logistically challenging region is part of what makes reaching 66 degrees south such a thrill.
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Where will I cross the Antarctic Circle?
The Antarctic Circle is crossed at 66°33' latitude south.
Most Antarctic Circle trips sail along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, typically crossing the line in the vicinity of Crystal Sound – a stunning body of water littered with ice. There is no sign or obvious change in the landscape when you reach this monumental latitude, but the ship's GPS – and the celebrations of the crew and expedition team – will prove you've truly made it to the end of the earth.
It is not possible to cross the Antarctic Circle on a Weddell Sea cruise on the eastern side of the Peninsula because of sea ice. Ross Sea cruises typically cross the Antarctic Circle in open water, on their way to latitudes lying even further south.
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What is the best time of year to visit the Antarctic Circle?
For expedition cruise ships to be able to cross the Antarctic Circle, their passage must be free of sea ice. Because of this, Antarctic Circle cruises start later in the season than cruises that just visit the Peninsula. Departures tend to begin from late December, but travelling in the new year gives the best chance of ice-free waters.
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How long will I spend south of the Antarctic Circle?
There are two types of Antarctic Circle cruise. Some itineraries push south from the Antarctic Peninsula to give the thrill of crossing the Circle, but only spend a limited amount of time exploring further south. Other cruise ships offer longer itineraries to spend more time getting to know the region. Swoop’s polar specialists can help guide you to the departure that best suits your desire to achieve this southerly latitude.
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Why are there fewer trips to the Antarctic Circle than to the Peninsula?
The extra time needed to sail south to cross the Antarctic Circle means that there are fewer departures than for a classic Antarctic Peninsula cruise. Most ships that offer this itinerary only sail to the Circle once or twice every season, which puts places on these cruises at a premium
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Is the wildlife different below the Antarctic Circle?
The further south you travel in Antarctica the colder it gets, and wildlife begins to thin out as a result. The large penguin rookeries you see at the northern end of the Peninsula are absent here: if you see penguins here they will be as individuals or in small groups. There is a good chance of whale sightings, but as a rule it’s the landscapes that are the draw south of the Antarctic Circle rather than the wildlife.
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Will I experience the 'midnight sun'?
The Antarctic Circle is the line of latitude during which the sun never sets below the horizon during the summer months. This midnight sun phenomenon peaks during the Summer Solstice on December 22.
The midnight sun can actually be experienced up to 55 miles (90 km) outside the Antarctic Circle, giving long days to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. Even further north along the Peninsula, it never gets truly dark in the summer; to ensure your rest, ship’s cabins are fitted with blackout blinds on the windows.
Why our customers love Swoop
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost
Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.
The Antarctic Experts. No Compromises
Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist
We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct
We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.
Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
1-855-369-8288Planning your Antarctic Circle cruise
When to go to the Antarctic Circle
The cruising season for the Antarctic Circle runs from late December through to March. Outside these months, the routes south to the Circle are mostly inaccessible due to sea ice. Some Peninsula cruise ships may attempt to make opportunistic visits earlier if ice conditions allow them to venture further south than normal, but this cannot be guaranteed or predicted.
If possible, we advise making your Antarctic Circle trip after the new year, to give the best chance of ice-free conditions.
More cruises to Antarctica
Luxury Antarctica Cruises
From the comfort of the cabins to the expertise of the expedition leaders, luxury Antarctica cruise ships deliver uncompromised, first-class adventuring.
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Fly & Cruise Antarctica
A short two-hour flight quickly and comfortably transports you to the White Continent. On arrival, you then switch to an awaiting ship that acts as your floating hotel.
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South Georgia Cruises
A jewel in Antarctica's crown, South Georgia is one of the world's great wildlife destinations: the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
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