Ocean Nova: Extended Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica

After the airport welcome, transfer to the pre-voyage hotel in Ushuaia and settle in before the expedition begins. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore the world's southernmost city at your own pace. An optional evening briefing offers a first chance to ask questions and meet fellow travellers.

Settle into the rhythm of the first sea day as Ocean Nova crosses open water towards the Falkland Islands. Essential briefings explain expedition safety and the environmental rules that protect the regions ahead. The onboard specialists also begin their talks on local wildlife, history and geology, while the outer decks offer time to watch for seabirds.

Explore one of the western outposts of the Falklands if weather and landing permission allow. The islands' rugged ground, farmland, beaches and cliff-lined coast provide a striking introduction to this remote archipelago. Depending on the site selected, there may be opportunities to observe albatross colonies and rockhopper, king or Magellanic penguins without any sighting being assured.

Call at Stanley if port arrangements and conditions permit. The Falklands' largest town sits in a sheltered harbour, and its museum traces maritime exploration, natural history and the 1982 conflict. A visit may also include Gypsy Cove, where Magellanic penguins nest in burrows, or nearby Ordnance Point with its Second World War guns; the final plan is confirmed locally.

Ocean Nova turns east for the open-ocean passage towards South Georgia. Lectures and informal discussions prepare you for the island's ecology and history, while the sea itself becomes part of the expedition. Seabirds may use the updrafts above the swells, and patient deck watches can reveal a whale blow, but wildlife remains unpredictable.

Continue towards South Georgia and cross the Antarctic Convergence, where colder water can bring a noticeable change in birdlife. Wandering albatrosses, southern giant petrels and tiny Wilson's storm petrels are among the species that may ride the wind around the ship. The first iceberg or a distant whale blow is possible, while clothing and equipment are prepared for the strict shore biosecurity checks.

Begin the flexible four-day exploration of South Georgia's glaciated leeward coast. The expedition team selects the best available landing or Zodiac route for the day's swell, weather and wildlife activity. Breeding penguins, seals and seabirds can gather here in remarkable numbers, framed by steep mountains, glaciers and sculpted ice, but the exact site and encounters remain conditional.

Continue along South Georgia, where the scale of the breeding colonies can be one of the defining experiences of the voyage. The day's plan may combine time ashore with a Zodiac cruise, always keeping the required distance from penguins, seals and seabirds. Swell, weather and animal activity determine which bay or beach can be approached and how long each activity lasts.

A call in the Grytviken area is planned within the flexible South Georgia programme, subject to access and local permission. The former whaling station reveals an important chapter of the island's human history. At the small cemetery, you can reflect on Ernest Shackleton's final resting place before the day returns to the surrounding mountains, glaciers and wildlife coast.

Use the final South Georgia day for another landing or Zodiac cruise chosen by the expedition team. The leeward coast combines sharp mountain relief, glaciers and sculpted ice with important breeding areas for penguins, seals and seabirds. The exact bay is deliberately left open so the team can respond to swell, weather, wildlife and local restrictions rather than follow a fixed promise.

Leave South Georgia and set a southerly course across the Scotia Sea towards Antarctica. The onboard presentation programme continues, turning the crossing into time to understand the ecology, geology and exploration history of the region ahead. Wildlife watches remain part of the day, and the icebergs may become larger and more frequent as the ship progresses.

Continue southwest across the Scotia Sea as the Antarctic environment becomes more evident. Specialists deepen the context for the peninsula's wildlife, ice and exploration history, while quieter hours leave room for reading and deck observation. Seabirds, a whale blow or an iceberg may appear, but weather and sea state shape both sightings and the onboard schedule.

The final part of the Scotia Sea crossing brings the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula closer. Icebergs can become more plentiful as the expedition team reviews forecasts, ice and wind before choosing the first possible activity of the Antarctic block. Landing and Zodiac briefings are completed, but the exact timing and site remain dependent on safe local conditions.

Begin the flexible four-day Antarctic exploration in the South Shetland Islands or near the peninsula, according to ice, weather and local access. The team may select a sheltered bay for a Zodiac cruise or a landing on foot. Iceberg-rich channels, penguin colonies and seals can all form part of the day, while every activity and wildlife encounter remains conditional.

Navigate among the South Shetland Islands and the northern Antarctic Peninsula, using sheltered channels when conditions allow. A Zodiac cruise or shore visit may reveal a different mix of ice, rugged coastline and wildlife from the previous day. Historic landing places or active scientific stations are possible, but access, local rules and the expedition leader's safety decision determine the plan.

Explore another peninsula bay or iceberg-filled channel by Zodiac and, if a safe site is available, on foot. Glaciers and sculpted ice reveal the scale of the landscape from water level, while penguins, seals or whales may be encountered along the coast or in surrounding waters. The expedition team chooses the route in response to wind, ice movement, visibility and wildlife activity.

Use the last day in the Antarctic block for the best available bay, landing site or Zodiac route. The team may consider another wildlife-rich coastline, a historic place or a scientific station, but no particular call is promised. After the final safe activity, Ocean Nova turns north towards the Drake Passage, leaving the exact sequence shaped by the day's ice, weather and access.

Leave Antarctica behind and begin the northbound crossing of the Drake Passage. The open ocean offers time to review what you have seen, join the remaining presentations and watch from deck for seabirds or a whale blow. Sea state sets the rhythm, and the expedition team adjusts the onboard programme as Ocean Nova makes its way towards Tierra del Fuego.

Continue north on the final full day at sea as Ocean Nova closes the distance to Tierra del Fuego. Deck time may bring a last view of albatrosses or other seabirds, while the expedition team gathers the story of the voyage in a special slideshow and passenger photo contest. A final celebratory meal brings everyone together; sea and weather still determine the timing of the approach to Ushuaia.

Ocean Nova arrives back in Ushuaia and the voyage concludes with a morning departure from the ship. The included group transfer serves selected airport departures or downtown Ushuaia, according to the final arrangements. From there, continue to Buenos Aires or stay longer in Tierra del Fuego, allowing sensible time around a return that remains subject to maritime conditions.