Sylvia Earle: Antarctic Explorer | Polartours

Sylvia Earle

Antarctic Explorer

An expedition cruise to Antarctica, the "White Continent". Join us aboard the Sylvia Earle!

Length

12 Days

Ship category

Premium

Ship type

Mid-Sized Ship

Capacity

132 Passengers

Antarctic Explorer

Trip highlights

Penguin rookeries

Leopard Seals on ice floes

Breaching whales

Awe at immense icebergs

The Polartours experience

Fly the Drake Passage

60% fewer fuel emissions on board

Your booking contributes to our Conservation Project

Expedition Jacket

Your ship: Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle Final Exterior

Sylvia Earle deck plan

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Sylvia Earle Final Exterior

Welcome aboard the Sylvia Earle, a purpose-built expedition vessel named in honor of pioneering marine biologist and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle. Launched in late 2022, this state-of-the-art ship combines advanced nautical design with a deep respect for the natural world. Carrying a maximum of 130 guests, the Sylvia Earle fosters a more intimate, community-focused experience, where like-minded travelers can connect meaningfully while exploring the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring polar regions.

The ship features the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® design, which cuts through swell for … Read more about Sylvia Earle

Cabins

Captain's Suite Sylvia Earle

Captain’s Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Junior Suite Sylvia Earle

Junior Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Superior SE

Balcony Stateroom Superior

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Cat A Sylvia Earle

Balcony Stateroom A

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Category B

Balcony Stateroom B

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Aurora Stateroom Superior

Aurora Stateroom Superior

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Category C Sylvia Earle

Balcony Stateroom C

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Triple Cabin Sylvia Earle

Aurora Stateroom Triple

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

3

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Map

Itinerary

Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.

Adventure options during the cruise

polar diving

Polar Diving

Please note that depending on the ship, length of your cruise, and the itinerary, this price may vary. Inquire with your Polar Specialist. Join an Arctic or Antarctic diving cruises which will give you access to some of the most scenic dive sites in the polar regions. Explore the underbellies of icebergs, exotic marine life and more! The details of these diving cruises are based on the ample experience of your expedition diving guides, all of whom have worked in the underwater polar regions for many years. General information on our diving activity: Divers must be experienced with cold-water, dry-suit diving. We aim for one to two dives per day (one in the morning, one in the afternoon, weather permitting). All dive guides are certified and experienced experts in their field. We offer basic equipment on board (e.g., tanks, compressors, and weights), but divers must bring their own personal gear. We make dives from our Zodiac boats. Our maximum dive depth is around 20 meters / 65 feet. In both Antarctica and the Arctic, we may observe sea squirts, squat lobsters, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms, dogfish, sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, shrubby horsetails, jellyfish, sea hedgehogs, kelp walls, and several species of starfish. Our polar dive voyages are not for beginners. They are meant only for experienced divers who are familiar with cold-water, dry-suit diving. You must have at least 30 logged dives to participate. The first dive of the program will be a “check dive” to try out your gear and assure our dive leader that you have enough experience to participate. This is for your safety and that of our guides. IMPORTANT: This activity is dependent on weather conditions and logistics.

Price on request

Sea-Kayaking-What-To-Wear-In-Antarctica

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Sea Kayaking

Embark on an exhilarating sea kayaking adventure in some of the world's most magnificent and biodiverse wilderness areas, including Antarctica and the Arctic. Take in the breathtaking scenery as you navigate through ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. In Antarctica, spend unforgettable moments with penguins, seals and whales, and keep an eye out for the occasional encounter with leopard seals or killer whales. In the Arctic, paddle through bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around huge icebergs. Led by experienced guides, you will join a small group of like-minded adventurers to explore the picturesque coastlines of these wild and remote destinations. Paddling offers an intimate and unique way to experience the beauty of these regions and make the most of your time there. Important: This activity is subject to weather conditions and logistics.

Price on request

Polar Snorkeling

Polar Snorkeling

Please note that depending on the ship, length of your cruise, and the itinerary, this price may vary. Inquire with your Polar Specialist. Witness active wildlife and scenery unlike any other place on earth. Through crystal clear waters you’ll awe at the amazing speed and grace of penguins entering and exiting from the ice, marvel at beautiful sculpted icebergs below the water and swim through marine life such as crustaceans, isopods, starfish and nudibranchs! This unique experience will allow passengers to see both destinations in a completely new dimension. This excusrion is led by our expert polar guides, and includes state of the art equipment like drysuits, gloves, hood, fins, mask, and snorkel. Passengers will be provided with all of the training and equipment they need to comfortably experience Antarctica from this truly unique angle. Passengers who take part will enjoy the opportunity to snorkel daily (weather dependent), taking in the delightful sheltered bays, off shore islands and secluded ship wrecks which make for spectacular wildlife viewing. IMPORTANT: This activity is dependent on weather conditions and logistics.

Price on request

Day 1 - Ushuaia

Your incredible Antarctic adventure starts in Punta Arenas

Arrival to Ushuaia

Arrival to Ushuaia

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Laguna Esmeralda

City tour Ushuaia

Canoeing to Lapataia Bay

Dinner in a refuge

Tren del fin del Mundo

Beaver watching (opt.)

City Exploration

Dinghy tour to Lapataia Bay

Zug am Ende der Welt

Welcome Cocktail with the Crew

King Crab Lunch

Penguin Island Isla Martillo

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Picnic at Lapataia Bay

Boat Tour on Beagle Channel

Fahrradtour am Ende der Welt

Hike in Fireland National Park

Former Prison & Maritime Museum

End of the World Museum

Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.

Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history.

At approximately 6.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing. Afterwards, there’s free time to enjoy the local cuisine at one of Punta Arenas’s many restaurants. (Dinner not included).

Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (or similar)

Day 2 - Ushuaia

Fly to King George Island

Arrival to Ushuaia

Arrival to Ushuaia

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Laguna Esmeralda

City tour Ushuaia

Canoeing to Lapataia Bay

Dinner in a refuge

Tren del fin del Mundo

Beaver watching (opt.)

City Exploration

Dinghy tour to Lapataia Bay

Zug am Ende der Welt

Welcome Cocktail with the Crew

King Crab Lunch

Penguin Island Isla Martillo

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Picnic at Lapataia Bay

Boat Tour on Beagle Channel

Fahrradtour am Ende der Welt

Hike in Fireland National Park

Former Prison & Maritime Museum

End of the World Museum

This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes.

On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.