Ultimate Antarctic Adventure

CRUISE TO ANTARCTICA & THE ICE BIRD YACHT EXPEDITION

Experience Antarctica like few ever will on this exclusive expedition. Enjoy the comfort and camaraderie of RMS St Helena, paired with a rare six-night adventure aboard Icebird—a small sailing yacht exploring the remote Antarctic Peninsula with just five fellow guests.

Designed for true explorers seeking immersion, flexibility, and raw adventure, this journey offers the ultimate polar experience: crossing the Drake Passage in comfort, followed by the serenity of Antarctica aboard a six-passenger yacht. ** If you prefer to sail just for the day on our world first day sailing experience in Antarctica, please get in touch with our team.

Please note: this itinerary includes an additional suitability review for potential passengers. For a taste of Antarctic sailing without the full expedition, check out our day sail options available on select departures.

Dates and rates will be announced soon.
Want to be the first to know?

Outline of a star with multiple points.
Terra Nova Expeditions Icebird

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 19 Nights / 20 Days

  • In depth with twice the normal Classic Antarctic landings and wildlife encounters aboard RMS St Helena.
    Sailing, kayaking, and hiking among untouched landscapes! Expert guides, personalized experiences, and seamless rejoining of St Helena.

  • Get up close with abundant wildlife, including penguins, seals & whales.

  • RMS ST HELENA

    • Her open decks, generous observation lounges, and expedition-ready features provide an ideal platform for wildlife encounters, landings, and immersive exploration.

    • Inviting social spaces and panoramic observation areas

    • Two Jacuzzis, sauna and ample deck space

    • Full science lab set up, and active science taking place with our resident expert science team.

    THE ICEBIRD

    • Purpose-built for polar conditions, she’s classified for operation in all oceans — including the Arctic and Antarctic.

    • Her heated, double-glazed pilothouse saloon offers panoramic views of the spectacular Antarctic landscapes

    • 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.

    • Accommodation: Fully serviced cabins.

    • Meals: Daily meals, snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during lunch and dinner.

    • Shore Excursions: Guided walks, daily shore excursions, and Zodiac cruises.

    • Adventure Activities: Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Camping, Yoga (Subject to weather and operational conditions)

    • Expedition Team: Led by experienced guides.

    • Lectures: Educational talks and expert guiding services.

    • Expedition Equipment: Loaned muck boots and access to the onboard doctor and medical clinic.

    • Pre-departure Info: Comprehensive materials and an Antarctic booklet.

    • Port Fees: Includes port surcharges, permits, and landing fees.

    • Wi-Fi: Basic Wi-Fi complimentary; upgrades available for a fee.

    • Crew Tips/ Gratuities

  • Crafted for true explorers, this one-of-a-kind expedition is for those who value intimacy, flexibility, and deep connection with the wild. If the idea of sailing the Antarctic Peninsula on a six-passenger yacht, experiencing nature on its terms, and sharing it with just a handful of fellow adventurers excites you—this is your rare chance to live Antarctica like few ever will.

ITINERARY

  • Board the expedition vessel in the afternoon, where you'll meet your crew and fellow travellers. After settling into your cabin, the ship sets off along the picturesque Beagle Channel. Relish your first evening at sea as the southernmost tip of South America disappears from view.

  • Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem.

    While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica’s history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held.

    By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

  • The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities.

    Highlights Include:

    Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Strap on snowshoes to explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints, offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks or brave the frigid waters. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals lounging on ice or hunting in the water, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby.

    With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. As passenger vessel traffic has increased in recent years, competition for landing sites has intensified—but our deep knowledge of this pristine region ensures you’ll embark on true exploratory journeys, venturing beyond the crowds.

    Guided by our experienced crew, you’ll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise—it’s a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

    Join us for an adventure where the unknown awaits, and every landing is a moment of exploration.

  • Disembark your ship and join just five other guests aboard Icebird, a sturdy, expedition-equipped sailing yacht built for polar conditions. Your six-night yacht expedition into the Peninsula’s remote waters begins.For the next five days, immerse yourself fully in Antarctica’s wild side:

    • Sailing deep into narrow channels, secluded bays, and remote anchorages unreachable by larger vessels.

    • Zodiac excursions daily to land on untouched beaches and explore stunning glaciers.

    • Sea kayaking opportunities (weather permitting) to paddle quietly among icebergs and wildlife.

    • Guided hikes across pristine Antarctic terrain, visiting penguin colonies, historic huts, and icy vantage points.

    • Flexible daily program — follow the best conditions and maximize your exploration, with the freedom to stay longer where nature calls.

    • Evenings aboard Icebird offer hearty meals, incredible photography sessions, and the rare camaraderie of a true micro-expedition.

  • Back onboard your ship, join with crew and passengers and share tales of your sailing adventure as we continue to explore the Antarctic peninsula and head northward.

  • Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

  • Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.

Please note: The above itinerary is a general guideline. Our precise route and activities will be adjusted to optimize wildlife viewing and adapt to prevailing weather and ice conditions. The Captain and/or Expedition Leader will make necessary changes to ensure the best possible experience. A daily program will be provided onboard. Flexibility is essential for a successful expedition. Please note facilities onboard Icebird are shared, and a different category of vessel to the RMS St Helena. Itinerary is 19 to 20 days and varies in days due to operating schedules. Contact us for more details Additional booking forms apply for itineraries onboard Icebird, and as such need to be made directly with our team at info@terranova-expeditions.com

Icebird Yacht
  • Inclusions

    Accommodation: Fully serviced cabins (Shared facilities onboard icebird)
    Meals: Daily meals, snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during lunch and dinner hours.
    Shore Excursions: Guided walks, daily shore excursions, and Zodiac cruises.
    Adventure Activities: Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Camping, Yoga (Subject to weather and operational conditions)
    Expedition Team: Led by experienced guides.
    Lectures: Educational talks and expert guiding services.
    Expedition Equipment: Loaned muck boots and access to the onboard doctor and medical clinic.
    Pre-departure Info: Comprehensive materials and an Antarctic booklet.
    Port Fees: Includes port surcharges, permits, and landing fees.
    Wi-Fi: Basic Wi-Fi complimentary; upgrades available for a fee. Limited internet onboard icebird

    Crew Tips/ Gratuities

  • Exclusions

    Personal Expenses: Includes bar charges and Boutique Charges. Final payments must be made in cash (US Dollar or Euro).
    Additional Excursions: Any excursions or activities not listed in the itinerary.
    Accommodation Upgrades: Single room supplements and stateroom upgrades.
    Off-ship Meals: Meals not provided aboard the ship.
    Beverages: Alcoholic beverages and sodas outside of happy hour / dinner time.
    Optional Services: Examples include onboard boutique purchases.
    Unlisted Items: Anything not specified under "Inclusions."

Terra Nova Expeditions Landscapes

EXPLORE MORE

DESTINATIONS

Explore remote destinations, from polar wildernesses to breathtaking landscapes, each promising adventure and unforgettable memories.

Terra Nova Expeditions Trekking

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.

Terra Nova Expeditions Vessel Deck

EXPERIENCE LIFE
ONBOARD

A meticulously designed daily schedule that blends adventure and relaxation, creating lasting connections with the Antarctic landscape and fellow explorers.