When you travel to one of the most remote, awe-inspiring environments on Earth, you deserve more than just a tour. You deserve a true expedition.

At Terra Nova Expeditions, we believe the soul of any Antarctic journey lies in the quality of the guiding team—and how accessible they are to each and every guest. That’s why we maintain one of the most generous ratios in the polar tourism industry:
14 highly experienced expedition staff for just 98 guests.

In the wild Southern Ocean, beneath the crashing waves and circling albatrosses, a hidden force moves with unmatched power — encircling an entire continent, linking oceans, and shaping the planet’s climate. This is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the largest and most influential ocean current on Earth.

It may not be visible to the eye, but without it, Antarctica would be warmer, sea levels would be higher, and the global climate as we know it wouldn’t exist.

When people picture Antarctica, they usually imagine an endless canvas of snow, ice, and penguins. But beneath that frozen surface lies a landscape forged by fire, crushed by glaciers, and sculpted by tectonic shifts over millions of years. Nowhere is this hidden drama more accessible than along the Antarctic Peninsula — a spine of jagged mountains and dramatic coastlines that reveals a geological story as powerful as any in the world.

For much of history, Antarctica was seen as the domain of rugged men with ice in their beards and glory in their sights. But while the Heroic Age of polar exploration was dominated by names like Amundsen, Scott, and Shackleton, there’s another side to the story — one that is only now receiving the recognition it deserves.

The term "expedition ship" has become a buzzword — but not all “expeditions” are created equal.

Today, many larger operators are branding their vessels as “explorer class” or “luxury expedition yachts.” But once guest numbers start climbing into the hundreds, something gets lost .. intimacy, flexibility, immersion.

At Terra Nova Expeditions, we believe small is powerful. Our ships carry fewer than 100 guests for a reason. Here’s why that matters — and what makes our kind of travel different from the big-ship expedition experience.

This exceptional 60-foot expedition yacht was custom-built by the renowned Trintella Shipyard in the Netherlands — a name synonymous with craftsmanship, seaworthiness, and durability. Her aluminium hull is heavily reinforced, designed to withstand the rigours of sailing in icy waters. In fact, Icebird features six watertight compartments, including a fully protected engine room, ensuring an extraordinary level of safety at sea. She’s insulated throughout, and with her central heating system, offers a surprisingly cosy environment for extended voyages in the world’s most remote and coldest regions.

Antarctica may be Earth's most remote and inhospitable continent, but its story is one that spans millennia — from ancient Greek theories of balance and symmetry, to heroic age explorers, to climate science and international cooperation. Frozen and uninhabited it may be, but Antarctica has a deep and fascinating human history, one shaped by mystery, ambition, and discovery.

Waddle this way for a closer look at Antarctica’s most iconic locals.

They don’t fly. They don’t mind the cold. They smell weird, look fantastic in monochrome, and have absolutely zero personal space boundaries. Welcome to the world of Antarctic penguins — nature’s most charmingly dysfunctional flightless birds.

In the world of ships, some vessels transcend their steel and rivets, earning a place in history not just for where they’ve sailed but for what they’ve meant to people. The RMS St Helena is one such ship, affectionately known as “The Lifeline.”

Nestled between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the icy waters of the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia is more than just a port town — it’s a place where history, culture, and geography converge at the end of the Earth. Today, it’s known as the bustling gateway to Antarctica, but its story stretches back thousands of years, long before the first expedition ship ever cast off for the Southern Ocean.

When people dream of visiting Antarctica, they often picture powerful icebreakers smashing through thick sea ice, forging a path into the wild white continent. But the reality of modern Antarctic travel – particularly on the Antarctic Peninsula – is quite different.

When we launched Terra Nova Expeditions, we knew we weren’t going to be everything to everyone. And honestly .. why would we want to be? Our purpose has never been about chasing numbers or fitting into the mould of mainstream cruising. It’s about crafting an experience so personal, so immersive, that every moment feels like it belongs to you.

Ever wondered what makes a ship truly safe and reliable before it sets sail? Ship classification might not grab headlines, but it’s the backbone of maritime safety, environmental compliance, and passenger confidence. Discover why classification (and the flag a ship flies) matters so much—especially when venturing into remote places like Antarctica.

The Drake Passage—where three oceans collide—is an 800 km stretch between South America and Antarctica known for its powerful currents and unpredictable seas. But is it always rough? When’s the best time to go? Here's what to expect.

At Terra Nova Expeditions, our philosophy is simple: travel with purpose, operate with integrity, and make conscious choices that reflect our values. Our decision to bring the RMS St Helena into our fleet is rooted in that ethos.

 This remarkable vessel has a long and storied legacy—originally built to connect the remote island of Saint Helena with the outside world, she was engineered to carry both passengers and cargo reliably across vast ocean distances in the inhospitable waters of the Atlantic.

Discover the rich history of British exploration on the Antarctic Peninsula — from heroic early expeditions to WWII bases like Port Lockroy and modern scientific research at Rothera. Explore the legacy with Terra Nova Expeditions.

See-LEVEL is an innovative approach that addresses the root cause of the problem of sea sickness, which is the visual disturbance experienced on a boat. This solution immerses the patient in a 360-degree virtual reality environment – Removing them from the vessel - virtually.

Experience the dynamic spectacle of Antarctic wildlife during the austral summer (November-March), from penguin courtship and hatching to whale migrations and seal pupping, with each month unveiling unique natural wonders.

The Antarctic Treaty and its 1991 Protocol emphasize environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and respect for scientific research. It prohibits harmful interference with animals, requires permits for entering protected areas, and mandates safety and sustainability in activities. Visitors must avoid littering, collecting specimens, and disturbing ecosystems, ensuring Antarctica's preservation.