Icebird
2 Crew
6-8 Guests
8 Berths
1 Zodiac
Sometimes, you get the opportunity to do something truly different… Welcome to our pioneering journeys aboard Icebird — a true world first for an expedition cruise company.
Welcome aboard Icebird, a rare breed of expedition yacht built for those who crave raw, intimate adventure. Designed specifically for polar conditions, Icebird takes you deeper into Antarctica’s heart than larger vessels ever could.
Icebird is available on select departures, either as an optional day sail or as a multi-day extension during our Ultimate Antarctica journey.
INTRODUCING ICEBIRD: ICE-STRENGTHENED, WIND-DRIVEN, EXPEDITION-PROVEN.
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Just six guests on extended voyages for a truly personal experience — and eight guests on day sail programmes. Icebird features six watertight compartments and a heated, double-glazed pilothouse saloon offering all-round views of the spectacular scenery as the yacht makes way. Icebird is fully insulated and climate-controlled, with reticulated hot water radiators and air conditioning. Even the bathrooms have heated towel rails!
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Purpose-built for polar conditions, she’s classified for operation in all oceans — including the Arctic and Antarctic. Icebird’s ice-reinforced aluminium hull features six watertight compartments for maximum safety. Her heated, double-glazed pilothouse saloon offers panoramic views of the spectacular Antarctic landscapes as the yacht navigates through ice and sea.
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Fully insulated and climate-controlled, with a hot water radiator system and air conditioning throughout, Icebird ensures comfort even in the harshest conditions — right down to heated towel rails in the bathrooms. Her aft garage provides generous storage for expedition equipment: a rigid aluminium-hulled inflatable boat, skis, kayaks, diving gear, and everything needed to make the most of the remote places you’ll explore.
HIGHLIGHTS
With only six guests on board, every journey is personal, every landing remote, and every moment unforgettable.
Whether it's kayaking alongside towering icebergs, hiking untouched ridgelines, or sipping coffee as leopard seals drift past your porthole, Icebird is your gateway to a version of Antarctica few will ever experience.
ICEBIRD IS MORE THAN A YACHT, SHE’S A POLAR THOROUGHBRED.
At Terra Nova, we believe smaller ships leave a lighter footprint and create deeper experiences, Icebird is the ultimate expression of that vision.
“Icebird captures the heart of Terra Nova’s mission—real expedition travel, up close and personal. With just six guests, we reach places others can’t, offering true immersion and adventure in Antarctica’s most remote corners.”
-Greg Carter, CEO & Founder
Technical Information
About Icebird
Built for the world’s most demanding waters, Icebird is an Australian owned - custom 61-foot aluminium expedition yacht designed by Van de Stadt and constructed to exacting standards at the renowned Trintella Shipyard in the Netherlands. Purpose-built for polar conditions, she’s classified for operation in all oceans — including the Arctic and Antarctic
Icebird’s ice-reinforced aluminium hull features six watertight compartments for maximum safety. Her heated, double-glazed pilothouse saloon offers panoramic views of the spectacular Antarctic landscapes as the yacht navigates through ice and sea. Fully insulated and climate controlled with a hot water radiator system and air conditioning throughout, Icebird ensures comfort even in the harshest conditions — right down to heated towel rails in the bathrooms.
Her aft garage provides generous storage for the expedition’s equipment: a rigid aluminium-hulled inflatable boat, skis, kayaks, diving gear, and everything needed for making the most of the remote places you’ll explore.
At the heart of her sailing performance is a unique and nearly indestructible AeroRig — a 100-foot rotating carbon spar with a fixed boom — allowing for efficient, no-fuss handling in the Southern Ocean. Icebird can be tacked or gybed with a simple turn of the wheel. With her 3.3-metre keel extended, she sails upwind with ease and can run square before the wind when needed.
Icebird is more than a yacht — she’s a polar thoroughbred. Strong, self-sufficient, and elegantly simple, she offers a rare blend of capability and comfort for small-group Antarctic exploration.
Key Features:
Exclusive, unique itineraries exclusive to Terra Nova Expeditions
Just 6 guests per extended voyages for a truly personal experience // 8 guests on day sail programs
Ice-strengthened aluminium hull for navigating remote Antarctic waters
Guided kayaking, hiking, and shore landings
Icebird is available for day sails (select voyages only) as well as our world first Ultimate Antarctic Adventure: St Helena and Icebird Yacht Expedition
EXPLORE MORE
DESTINATIONS
Explore remote destinations, from polar wildernesses to breathtaking landscapes, each promising adventure and unforgettable memories.
DISCOVER
THE ACTIVITIES
The ideal base to fully experience Antarctica, with a variety of thrilling activities like sailing, kayaking, wildlife encounters, and more, all crafted to deepen your exploration.
EXPERIENCE LIFE ONBOARD
A meticulously designed daily schedule that blends adventure and relaxation, creating lasting connections with the Antarctic landscape and fellow explorers.