Antarctica Whale Journey
Set sail in search of whales and other Antarctic wildlife on this cruise aboard the Ocean Endeavour
From: USD 6,465
A 11-day expedition cruise
5 Reviews
The Trip Highlights
Antarctic Peninsula's remarkable history
Whale watching from your Zodiac
Set foot on the White Continent
Observe penguins in their natural habitat
Your Polartours 'Plus' Experience
Experience the chill of a polar plunge
Expert guides answer all questions
Your trip is 100% carbon offset
Expedition Parka to take home
Embark on a remarkable journey in search of the giants of the Southern Ocean on this voyage of discovery to Antarctica. Brave the infamous Drake Passage and have your camera ready for sea birds as they soar and swoop around the ship, keep your eyes peeled for underwater movement and that unmistakable breach. Jaw-dropping scenery, immense glaciers and ice-filled channels await and provide a perfect backdrop as you explore by zodiac the ice filled bays, getting you up close and personal to the migrating mammals. Take a step on the continent and spot seals laying along the shores and walk among penguin rookeries. On board, enjoy optional activities, lectures presented by resident polar experts and a state-of-the-art wellness and fitness facilities.
There is no better way to discover the majestic beauty of the Antarctic peninsula and its amazing whales.
Your ship: Ocean Endeavour
The Ocean Endeavour is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the Antarctic cruise ships of old and it’s quickly become one of our favorites thanks to the things they do differently on board.
Firstly, the Ocean Endeavour provides a class-leading ratio of 1 crew member per 8 passengers, giving you a more personal, informative, and comfortable Antarctic adventure.
The ship also features a focus on health and wellness. The onboard spa, gym, and sauna are overseen by the ship’s health and wellness expert, and there is a dedicated medical center with a permanent onboard doctor and paramedi … Read more about Ocean Endeavour
Amenities
Fitness Center
Bar
Mudroom
Observation Deck
Pool
Zodiac Fleet
Yoga
Observation Lounge
Hot Tub
Gift Shop
Sauna
Medical Services
Food & Drinks
Like everything else about Ocean Endeavour, mealtimes are all about enjoyment, relaxation, and learning. Enjoy open-seating meals in the roomy Polaris Restaurant, surrounded by ocean views, while the expert guides and crew happily mingle and share their expertise with you.
Breakfast and lunch include a wide variety of tasty and healthy choices. Globally inspired à la carte suppers to offer options to suit every taste, including fish and vegetarian options. Desserts, made fresh daily, are a highlight! Food allergies, special diets, and personal choices can all be accommodated by our skilled chefs with advance notice.
Early-bird breakfast, afternoon tea, late-night snacks, and treats round out the offerings. And tea, coffee, and cookies are always freely available.
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Adventure Options
Adventure Options during your cruise
Day 1 • Arrival at Ushuaia. The end of the world. The beginning of everything!
On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where a representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. They will be holding a sign with your name on it. Should you not be able to contact them, please refer to the front of your itinerary for emergency contact details of our representative office.
Your cruise itinerary begins with an overnight stay in Ushuaia. If you arrive into Ushuaia early enough, the day is yours to explore. Avenida San Martin and the surrounding streets are where most hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes and tourist services are located.
Ushuaia is often called the "Gateway to Antarctica". Thanks to its position on the shores of the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia's harbor is equally popular with luxury cruise vessels and huge, rugged ice breakers. A vital port for the resupply of many of the Antarctic research bases, Ushuaia is also a beautiful city that really does feel like it's at the edge of the world. You can have a walk in the city to explore fascinating museums like "the end of the world" musem and other cultural centers. It is the perfect place to start boat trips along the Beagle Channel to get up close and personal with penguins and seals. Ushuaia is definitely a remarkable destination in its own right, as well as a wonderful place to start any kind of cruise and trip through Patagonia.
Day 2 • Embark on your new home, the Ocean Endeavour.
Ushuaia is often called the "Gateway to Antarctica". Thanks to its position on the shores of the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia's harbor is equally popular with luxury cruise vessels and huge, rugged ice breakers. A vital port for the resupply of many of the Antarctic research bases, Ushuaia is also a beautiful city that really does feel like it's at the edge of the world. You can have a walk in the city to explore fascinating museums like "the end of the world" musem and other cultural centers. It is the perfect place to start boat trips along the Beagle Channel to get up close and personal with penguins and seals. Ushuaia is definitely a remarkable destination in its own right, as well as a wonderful place to start any kind of cruise and trip through Patagonia.
Day 3-4 • Cross the infamous Drake Passage.
The Drake Passage is the name given to the infamous stretch of open ocean between the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
It usually takes 2 or 3 days to cross the Drake Passage, and this is a great time to learn from your expert Antarctic naturalist guides. Through a series of fascinating talks and lectures, you'll begin to learn more about the remarkable wildlife and awe-inspiring geology of the Antarctic continent.
Your guides are always on hand to help you identify the sea bird species that always follow the ships, as well as spotting whales and other cetaceans that can be seen en route to the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands.
Day 5-6 • The South Shetland Islands
Sometimes overlooked as a destination by people keen to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a must-see destination in their own right.
Often the first and last landfall on an Antarctic cruise, many people are taken aback by the stunning beauty of these islands. What better way to make contact with the Antarctic than by making your first beach landing here surrounded by gentoo penguins?
Apart from some of the most southerly species of penguin, the South Shetlands are home to a huge range of Antarctic wildlife, and they make a superb introduction to the wildlife of the whole region, including key species like elephant seals, humpback whales, and more.
With active volcanoes, the relics and remains of its history as a centre for whaling, and some of the most beautiful Antarctic mountain scenery, the South Shetland Islands are a fitting first destination for any Antarctic cruise.
Day 7-8 • The Antarctic Peninsula
The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited by expedition cruises and is home to many of the most popular landing sites. The Gerlache Strait is renowned for the stunning scenery with the snow covered mountains, as if covered in icing sugar, with numerous glaciers tumbling down to the sea.
Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are ice-free in the early season, being important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.
It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.
Day 9-10 • Spend the last 2 days crossing the Drake Passage towards Ushuaia
The Drake Passage is the name given to the infamous stretch of open ocean between the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
It usually takes 2 or 3 days to cross the Drake Passage, and this is a great time to learn from your expert Antarctic naturalist guides. Through a series of fascinating talks and lectures, you'll begin to learn more about the remarkable wildlife and awe-inspiring geology of the Antarctic continent.
Your guides are always on hand to help you identify the sea bird species that always follow the ships, as well as spotting whales and other cetaceans that can be seen en route to the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands.
Day 11 • Your unforgettable Antarctic cruise comes to an end in Ushuaia
You are scheduled to arrive into Ushuaia early this morning, and you'll disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Endeavour.
After saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean Endeavour, you'll transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, or you may like to spend some extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.
PLEASE NOTE: You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday on disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions.
Ushuaia is often called the "Gateway to Antarctica". Thanks to its position on the shores of the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia's harbor is equally popular with luxury cruise vessels and huge, rugged ice breakers. A vital port for the resupply of many of the Antarctic research bases, Ushuaia is also a beautiful city that really does feel like it's at the edge of the world. You can have a walk in the city to explore fascinating museums like "the end of the world" musem and other cultural centers. It is the perfect place to start boat trips along the Beagle Channel to get up close and personal with penguins and seals. Ushuaia is definitely a remarkable destination in its own right, as well as a wonderful place to start any kind of cruise and trip through Patagonia.
Reviews
Marsha012
I started off my Antarctica trip with a three night stay in Ushuaia before departure March 8. Staying at Hotel Albatros I only had to go across the street to the parking lot for the Rumbo Sur buses waiting to take us to our ship. Upon entering Ocean Endeavor I was pleasantly surprised to find the triple share room had two bathrooms as well as more than enough storage to hold the belongings for three people. We spent four glorious days in Antarctica before cutting our voyage short due to flight ban possibly being put in place. Quark got us in before the ban but we had to stay until the 23 due to a quarantine by the government. Crew staff especially Laurie was awesome in keeping us briefed about the changing situation. Quark got extra provisions aboard and we were given free wi fi and telephone cards during our quarantine in Ushuaia. Quark went over and aboard by arranging for two charter flights to take passengers and crew from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. I was among second charter group and Quark arranged for passengers and crew members to stay at Sheraton in Buenos Aires. Quark is amazing company and they went way beyond the normal in a difficult situation caused by the coronovirus. The kitchen was kept running and provided amazing meals and there was always plenty of activiites aboard the ship. (Copied from Trip Advisor)
klmsmm
We travelled to Antarctica on the Ocean Endeavour and had an amazing trip. The ship is comfortable and the staff very friendly and attentive. The food was good and there was a nice variety of choices, something for every palate. The crew provided informational talks which we found very interesting. The zodiac tours and landings were well coordinated. The itinerary is flexible due to landing conditions but even when the plans change, there is a great substitute. (Copied from Trip Advisor)
Traveller-up
We had 21 night amazing voyage from Ushuaia to Falklands, South Georgia and crossing Antarctic circle in February/March 2020. The expedition team led by Laurie was great, as well as excellent food in the restaurant. I was a solo passenger, but was matched with another female. We had a suite with two bathrooms and it was plenty of space for two of us. However, the ship was a bit dated and it was used by Quark for the last season. I like on other modern ships better lounges with huge windows for observations, which was not the case on this one. Sauna was very good. Pool is available in theory, but was filled only for 1 day. It depends on ocean conditions. Overall, we were very lucky with the weather with all our landings in South Georgia, it was not so good when we crossed the Circle. However, they still were able to organise the Arctic plunge there. We saw more than 300 whales including a rare blue whale, southern right whales, orcas, minky whale and plenty of humpbacks. Laurie even convinced the Captain to change the program a bit and visit currently the largest iceberg A68A. In some days, we had two landings and two zodiac cruises, thus it was good to have 1-2 dasy at sea afterwards to relax. Overall, the professionalism of the crew and expedition team made this trip unforgettable. (Copied from Trip Advisor)
Allison BH
My husband and I went to Antarctica with Quark in March 2020. The expedition was the best we've ever been on. — Interesting, friendly, and intelligent staff who were more than happy to answer my billion questions about penguins — Plenty of fun activities no matter your interests — Excellent communication from leadership, and an obvious effort to make the trip everything we've ever dreamed of — The hotel crew was attentive and friendly. The crew knew our names by the 3rd day and remembered that I tend to like my white wine glass full (thank you, Mary Lou!) — The sea kayaking program was INCREDIBLE. I have only been river kayaking a couple of times, yet Ryan and Cam (the two leaders) got me comfortable in the sea kayak very quickly. My husband and I were nervous about joining, but I couldn't have imagined a better way to see Antarctica than in a sea kayak. ^^ and this was just the trip that we signed up for. While we were on board, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Quark not only went above and beyond for us during our planned trip, but when Argentina ordered a 14-day quarantine, they contacted everyone's embassies to help us get home, brought on needed medications and provisions, and planned more fun activities. When everyone's flights continually got canceled, they brought us on a charter flight (free of charge) and paid for our hotel in BA for one night. Laurie, the expedition leader, continually got standing ovations with her leadership and communication with us. She handled the crisis phenomenally, and I left the ship MORE likely to book another Quark Expedition, despite the global pandemic. We'll probably wait another year or so before we do it though. lol. (Copied from Trip Advisor)
Julia B
The 13 night trip of a lifetime, I could not fault the experience with Quark Expeditions on 'Crossing the circle' with 3 nights inside the Antarctic circle. The ship was excellent for the purpose with amazing expedition crew, twice daily zodiac cruises around the ice, landings onto penguin colonies and bays with amazing wildlife. Scenery,glaciers and ice blew me away. Science lectures on board. Plus this ship had a heated pool and sauna and ran yoga classes. Food was five star plus so much better than I expected. (Copied from Trip Advisor)
