Icebird: Purpose-Built for Antarctic Sailing Adventures
Some yachts are built for speed. Others for luxury. Icebird was built for the Southern Ocean.
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.
Her hydraulically operated lifting keel is a game-changer for Antarctic exploration. In shallow mode, the draft reduces to just 1.9 metres, allowing access to sheltered anchorages far away from drifting pack ice. When fully deployed, the 3.3-metre keel — with its 10-ton foil and 5 tonnes of lead bulb — delivers superb stability and handling, even in the roughest swells of the Drake Passage.
Comfort and Safety in the Wild
Antarctic sailing demands resilience, but Icebird ensures comfort is never far away. Her enclosed, heated, and double-glazed pilot house saloon offers 360-degree views — perfect for keeping watch in warmth or simply soaking in the breathtaking scenery without braving the elements. The pilot house is fitted with an extensive suite of navigation, communication, and monitoring systems, giving the crew the tools to operate safely in some of the planet’s most challenging waters.
Creature comforts on Icebird go far beyond the basics:
Two bathrooms with heated towel rails (perfect for drying gear)
A dedicated boot dryer for those wet landing days
A washer-dryer for longer voyages
Even a bread-maker, because nothing beats fresh bread in the middle of the Southern Ocean.
A large-capacity water maker ensures fresh water supply, while a spacious “garage” compartment easily stows skis, sea kayaks, and an inflatable powerboat — opening the door to multi-activity exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Purpose-Built for Polar Sailing
Icebird is rigged with a modern Aero-Rig — a 100-foot carbon mast and fixed boom that rotate together as a single unit. This innovative design simplifies sail handling and makes the yacht especially well-suited to the fast-changing conditions of the Southern Ocean. The uncluttered deck, free of complex rope systems, also provides a safe and spacious platform for storing and launching kayaks.
The yacht can accommodate six guests plus her professional crew — a skipper, mate, and expedition leader. With small group sizes, every passenger becomes part of the adventure. All expedition members take turns on watch, and help with sailing, cooking, and cleaning. No prior sailing experience is necessary; training is provided on board. What’s essential is a spirit of adventure, a willingness to embrace cold weather, and the understanding that the Southern Ocean can be as challenging as it is rewarding.
Sustainable & Responsible Exploration
Icebird isn’t just tough — she’s also responsible. As a proud member of IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), she adheres to strict environmental and safety standards. Every voyage is conducted with the utmost respect for Antarctica’s pristine environment, ensuring the landscapes and wildlife remain untouched for future generations.
Whether slicing through the legendary Drake Passage or gliding quietly along iceberg-lined channels, Icebird offers something rare: an authentic, hands-on Antarctic sailing experience aboard a vessel purpose-built for the task. For those seeking to go beyond simply visiting Antarctica — to truly live it — Icebird is the perfect companion.
