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Antarctica Whale Watching 10 Day | Hondius

10 Days
From NZD 13,334

STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise 

Trip Code: ACOW10WW

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

SHIP: Hondius

DestinationDestination

Antarctic Peninsula

DestinationDeparture Date

14/03/2025

MealsMeals

All Meals On board The Ship

TransportTransport

Group Transfers On Disembarkation To The Airport 

TransportAccommodation

Cabin on board a ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Daily Antarctica Excursions in location, Zodiac Cruising, On board Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions 

OVERVIEW

On this Antarctic Peninsula tour, you will see untamed white snow, craggy rock, and an amazing array of wildlife. Come greet the seals, penguins, and whales.

 

*Rates are subject to currency fluctuation and availability at the time of booking. Please contact us for the latest pricing and availability. 

ITINERARY

Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina & Embarkation

Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

Crossing the Drake Passage - Days 2 & 3

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

Antarctica - Days 4 to 7

The Antarctic landscape presents a stunning spectacle of gray stone peaks dusted with snow and towering formations of broken blue-white ice, amidst a diverse array of wildlife both above and below. As you navigate past the snow-capped Melchior Islands and through the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Islands, several notable sites await exploration:

Danco Island offers opportunities to observe gentoo penguins nesting on the island, along with sightings of Weddell and crabeater seals nearby.

Neko Harbour boasts mammoth glaciers and wind-carved snow, providing ideal conditions for Zodiac cruises and landings with close-up views of the surrounding alpine peaks.

Paradise Bay invites you to embark on a Zodiac cruise through sprawling, ice-flecked waters, with a high likelihood of encountering humpback and minke whales.

Pléneau & Petermann Islands, weather permitting, allow for a potential passage through the Lemaire Channel in search of humpback and minke whales, as well as leopard seals.

Port Lockroy, accessible via the Neumayer Channel, offers the opportunity to visit the former British research station on Goudier Island, now transformed into a museum and post office. Activities around Jougla Point may include encounters with gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.

At nearby sites like Damoy Point, you may have the chance for snowshoeing to the old ski-way, a favorite camping site.

Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren provide excellent opportunities for spotting humpback whales. You may also embark on a Zodiac cruise culminating at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape populated with icebergs, further encounters with whales, leopard seals, and crabeater seals are possible.

Please note that departure times are subject to conditions in the Drake Passage.

Crossing the Drake Passage - Days 8 & 9

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

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Hondius

Hondius

Hondius offers the best of both worlds - Hotel comfort and expedition class. It is of the few vessels to be built to class “LR PC6”, meeting the latest and highest demands of Lloyd’s Register for “Polar Class 6” vessels, the highest Polar Class notation for ice-strengthened vessels. The vessel will also fully comply with the mandatory requirements of the Polar code, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), for safe ship operation and the protection of the Polar environment.

Hondius is one of the strongest ice-strengthened vessel in the Polar Regions and is equipped with stabilizers, and very suitable for advanced, innovative exploratory quality voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions.

The expert expedition team onboard will do their best to ensue you see a range of wildlife and terrain when the opportunities present themselves. You will have 70 crew and staff members (including expedition and hotel staff) at your service while on board, ensuring that what little time you do spend on the ship you will spend comfortably entertained.
 

The ship takes up to 170 passengers and offers a range of high quality accommodation, a large observation lounge and separate, dedicated lecture room. The vessel is elegantly designed, but has a distinctive informal and cozy atmosphere onboard. 

 

Ice Class: Length: 107.6 meters
Breadth: 17.6 metersMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 15 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:
174

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Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.

Hiking

Hiking excursions are among the most popular options in Antarctica as many itineraries are short and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Guided hikes lead you to amazing vantage points and allow even closer interaction with local wildlife, so don’t forget to pack your camera!

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Photography

For photography enthusiasts of any skill level. You will receive expert advice on taking and producing amazing photos of Antarctica.

Learn More

Pricing per person & date

Antarctica Whale Watching 10 Day | Hondius from NZD 13,334
Departing Ending Duration
14 Mar 202523 Mar 202510

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Important Information

  • Prices are based on per person, and may be based on quad/triple/twin share.

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. 

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.

  • INCLUSIONS

    Cabin Accommodation on board MV Hondius
    All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
    All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
    Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
    Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
    Group departure transfers in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
    All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
    Comprehensive pre-departure material
    Access to 1.5 GB of free internet connectivity per person, which resets every 24 hours. Supplementary vouchers available to purchase on onboard. Subject to satellite coverage

     

    EXCLUSIONS

    Airfares to/from disembarkation city 
    Visa & passport fees (if applicable)
    Travel insurance
    Beverages (other than tea & coffee)
    Meals ashore
    Personal expenses such as laundry & bar
    Gratuities for the crew (guidelines will be provided)
    Pre and post land arrangements 
    Government arrival or departure taxes (if applicable)
    Additional optional activities

     

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request. Please contact us for more details. No single supplement will apply if willing to share in selected cabins. 

  • Departure Date, Fuel Surcharges, Cabin Category, Currency Fluctuations, Seasonality & Availability.