Antarctic Explorer
Discovering the 7th Continent. Sail the Drake Passage and explore the Antarctic Peninsula aboard Ocean Explorer or World Voyager.
From US$17,906 per person, twin share. Subject to departure and availability.
Why we picked it
A classic first Antarctic expedition, with four planned exploration days and two comfortable modern ships.
The appeal is straightforward: sail from Ushuaia, spend four planned days exploring the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, and return across the Drake. We like this route for travellers who want a traditional sea crossing and comfortable surroundings between excursions. The best fit depends on your travel dates, preferred ship and the arrangements for reaching it.
A smaller 138-guest ship with an X-Bow and private veranda options. Arrange your own flights to Ushuaia.
A ship with a dedicated Science Hub. Its Buenos Aires charter flight and hotel package is included in the current 11-day programme.
Four planned Antarctic days suit a compact introduction. Choose a longer route if extra exploration time or the Antarctic Circle is your priority.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Antarctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our polar guiding experience helps you understand the crossing, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage overview
One classic Peninsula route, with two ways to begin your journey.
This reference page focuses on the 11-day Ocean Explorer and World Voyager programmes. Quark also offers Antarctic Explorer on Ultramarine and with different durations; ask us to compare the current options.
From the Beagle Channel to Antarctic ice
Both ships embark in Ushuaia on Day 2. Days 3 and 4 are allocated to the Drake Passage, followed by four exploration days and two days sailing north. Disembarkation is on Day 11.
The first and last days differ: Ocean Explorer starts and finishes in Ushuaia; World Voyager starts with a Buenos Aires hotel night and ends with a flight back to Buenos Aires.
These are Peninsula itineraries. An Antarctic Circle crossing is not part of the planned programme. Landing sites, wildlife encounters and the number of outings depend on conditions.
Day-by-day plan
The expedition team adapts the route each day. This outline describes the planned sequence, rather than guaranteed calls at named sites.
Arrive in Argentina
Ocean Explorer: arrive in Ushuaia for your included hotel night. World Voyager: arrive in Buenos Aires and make your own way to the hotel covered by the charter flight and hotel package. Allow time for the welcome information and final preparations.
Board your expedition ship
Ocean Explorer guests transfer from the Ushuaia hotel to the ship. World Voyager guests transfer to the airport, fly to Ushuaia and transfer to the ship. After embarkation and safety briefings, settle in as the voyage begins through the Beagle Channel.
Sail the Drake Passage
Use the crossing to get to know the expedition team and prepare for outings. Presentations introduce polar wildlife, history and ice, while time on deck offers a different perspective on the Southern Ocean. Sea conditions vary considerably; choose a cabin with your comfort priorities in mind.
Explore the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula
Four planned days are devoted to exploration. The team chooses landing sites and Zodiac routes according to weather, ice and local requirements. Expect a changing mix of shore walks, time near penguin colonies and boat excursions along glaciated bays. Wildlife is part of the attraction, but no species or individual encounter can be promised.
Return across the Drake
Sail north with time to review photographs, continue learning with the team and enjoy the ship. Keep looking out from the decks: the return passage remains part of the experience, even as attention turns to homeward travel.
Disembark in Ushuaia
Ocean Explorer guests take the scheduled departure transfer in Ushuaia. World Voyager guests transfer to the airport for their included group flight back to Buenos Aires. Confirm final flight timings and connection advice with us before arranging onward travel.
Dates, cabins and your quote
Based on two guests sharing an Ocean Explorer Veranda Suite on a selected 11-day departure, checked against Quark’s official booking page on 28 September 2026. This is a planning guideline, not live availability or a quote. Fares vary by date, ship, cabin and offer conditions.
Request current prices and availability from Expedition Advisory. We will confirm your cabin, inclusions and complete travel cost before you book.
World Voyager’s charter flight and hotel package
The current 11-day Buenos Aires programme includes the required package in the expedition price: one pre-expedition hotel night with breakfast, group flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, and specified group transfers. Your initial Buenos Aires airport-to-hotel transfer is excluded. Ask EA to reconfirm the package, airports, baggage limits and connection advice for your chosen sailing.
Choose the ship that fits you
Both ships offer comfortable expedition travel. Ocean Explorer has the smaller guest complement; World Voyager adds a dedicated Science Hub.
Ocean Explorer · 138 guests
Ocean Explorer carries 138 guests, with 15 Zodiacs and a published ice class of 1A / PC6. Its X-Bow, two-storey library, observation lounge, restaurant and bar provide comfortable spaces between outings. A gym, dry sauna and two outdoor Jacuzzis round out the facilities. Its smaller guest complement may appeal if you prefer a more intimate ship. Motion is still possible during either Drake crossing.
World Voyager · 168 guests
World Voyager carries 168 guests, with 18 Zodiacs and 1B ice class. Its Science and Discovery programme sits alongside a glass-domed observation lounge, lecture theatre, restaurant, gym, spa, sauna, outdoor pool and Jacuzzis. The ready room supports preparation for excursions, while the Science Hub gives curious travellers another reason to stay engaged between outings.
A closer look at the balcony cabins
A private walk-out balcony on either ship, with different layouts and deck positions.
Ocean Explorer · Veranda Suite
Decks 4 and 6 · approximately 200 - 205 sq ft
Twin or double bed arrangement, a separate sitting area with sofa bed, and a glass door opening to a walk-out balcony. The bathroom includes a shower and heated floor.
Exact layout and position vary by cabin. Ask us to check a specific cabin number against the deck plan.
Enquire about this voyage
World Voyager · Veranda Suite
Decks 5 and 6 · approximately 215 sq ft plus 55 sq ft balcony
One double or two single beds, a sitting area with sofa, refrigerator and private shower room. The balcony is an outdoor space you can step onto.
The ship’s Infinity Suite is a different design. Do not treat it as interchangeable with a walk-out Veranda Suite when comparing quotes.
Enquire about this voyageActivities and time ashore
Included exploration
Scheduled Zodiac cruising, landings, walking, presentations and photography guidance form the core programme. A polar plunge may be offered when conditions and the team allow it.
Science and Discovery
World Voyager’s programme adds opportunities to learn with researchers and guides. The particular sessions and field activities depend on the voyage.
Optional adventures
Sea kayaking and paddling excursions may be offered at an additional cost. Camping is limited to selected early-season voyages. Places, suitability requirements and weather conditions must be confirmed for your sailing.
World Voyager may also offer stand-up paddleboarding. Guided photography and pre-voyage Tierra del Fuego excursions are available on selected programmes. Ask EA to confirm the activities and costs for your dates before booking around a particular experience.
What is included, and what costs extra
Included aboard both ships
- Expedition programmeScheduled landings, Zodiac excursions and presentations with the expedition team.
- Accommodation and diningYour selected cabin, housekeeping, onboard meals and snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee, plus selected alcoholic drinks during the stated service hours.
- Polar equipmentA Quark parka to keep and waterproof expedition boots on loan.
- Core voyage chargesPort charges, service taxes and onboard luggage handling.
- ConnectivityBasic Wi-Fi on Ocean Explorer; World Voyager’s stated allowance is 1GB on one device. Extra data or premium access costs more.
Budget separately
- Reaching the voyageFlights to and from Ushuaia for Ocean Explorer. International flights to and from Buenos Aires, plus the initial airport-to-hotel transfer, for World Voyager.
- Travel preparationInsurance, passport and visa costs, additional hotel nights, unstated transfers and meals ashore.
- Personal extrasOptional adventures, voluntary gratuities, laundry, spa treatments and additional connectivity.
- ClothingRequired waterproof trousers and personal equipment beyond the supplied parka and loan boots.
Questions worth settling before you book
Do both ships sail the Drake Passage?
Yes. Both cross by ship in each direction. World Voyager’s package flights link Buenos Aires and Ushuaia; they do not fly over the Drake.
Does the itinerary reach the Antarctic Circle?
It is a classic Peninsula and South Shetlands itinerary, with no planned Circle crossing. If going farther south matters to you, compare our Antarctic Circle voyages.
Are there eleven days in Antarctica?
No. The eleven days include the arrival hotel night, embarkation, sea crossings and departure arrangements. Four days are planned for exploration around the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, subject to conditions.
Is World Voyager’s flight package optional?
The package is required for the 11-day Buenos Aires programme described here. Quark currently includes it in the expedition price. EA will confirm the full inclusions and total for your selected sailing.
Can I add kayaking to my voyage?
Kayaking and paddling places depend on the departure and have separate requirements and costs. Tell EA if this is a priority so we can check availability before recommending your voyage. All outings remain subject to conditions.
Find your Antarctic voyage
Tell us your dates, cabin preferences and the experiences that matter most. We will check the complete fare and compare the strongest options for you.
Ship selection, cabin checks and booking support, with no EA service fee.
Voyage information
Reviewed 28 September 2026 against Quark’s official Antarctic Explorer itinerary, ship information and the 2026/27 programmes for Ocean Explorer and World Voyager. Images: existing EA site media and Quark Expeditions, with individual credits where identified. Operator imagery remains credited to its source. Operator conditions and the final confirmed programme govern the booking.