8 Antarctica expedition cruises where you can kayak with penguins
The best expedition cruise companies have that level of expertise developed over years of traveling throughout the Antarctic region, which is why they're my top picks for a guided trip to Antarctica.
WORLD'S BEST: 15 best group travel companies for guided tours around the world
1. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has been taking travelers to Antarctica since 1966, giving the tour company almost six decades of experience on the White Continent. Each of its ships have been designed to help guests remain comfortable during the challenging journey to Antarctica: National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution feature a patented X-Bow design for smooth and quiet travels in tough conditions, while the certified ice-class National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion vessels are built specifically for maneuverability and comfort while voyaging through the region's polar waters.
PLAN AHEAD: The 5 questions you should ask before booking any guided tour
Tours include opportunities for wildlife watching and the flexibility to explore by kayak, Zodiac, or on foot alongside an expedition team of researchers, photographers, naturalists, and scientists. Travelers not only experience the destination but also work to help preserve it as citizen scientists, collaborating with scientists on research and conservation work through the company's Visiting Scientist Program. That could include everything from monitoring a supergroup of fin whales to tracking and researching snow algae blooms along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Notable Antarctica itineraries include the 12-day Voyage to Antarctica with kayaking in coves alongside penguins and snowshoeing or skiing across sea ice, the 18-day Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords trip that features hiking among the 'horns' of Torres del Paine National Park and special access to Karukinka Natural Park, and the 22-day Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands tour that explores traditional Falkland techniques and features the possibility of 'parking' the ship in the fast ice for a once-in-a-lifetime walk over the sea ice.
2. Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions took the first commercial passengers to the North Pole in 1991 and followed that up with the first passenger voyage to the Far Side of Antarctica in 1992. In 1996, it began a circumnavigation of Antarctica for commercial passengers, the first-ever voyage of its kind. With a focus on polar-only travel, the company is more than experienced in those regions.
The company's smaller ships (138 to 199 passengers) can get places where larger vessels can't, and its 6:1 guide-to-guest ratio is the highest in the industry, with an expedition team whose backgrounds include marine biology, history, glaciology, and geology. Guides get guests off ships and exploring, whether that's in a helicopter, on a Zodiac or kayak, or by foot.
GET ACTIVE: The best new guided adventure tours for 2025
Quark Expeditions' new Antarctic voyages include Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains, and Remote Lands, a 12-day trip that provides access to rarely visited eastern regions of the Antarctic Peninsula like the Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea, and Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales and Seals, an 11-day trip in partnership with the Friedlaender Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz, on which guests can learn from and assist leading marine mammal experts in collecting whale behavior data and tracking migratory species. The Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill trip is also back after a brief hiatus.
3. Ponant
Ponant was founded in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy. The company focuses on small-ship cruises that can explore less-visited destinations. Its Le Commandant Charcot was the world's first luxury icebreaker, taking travelers to spots like the geographic North Pole and the Pole of Inaccessibility. Designed to feel like a yacht, it includes a spa in partnership with Biologique Recherche, a dedicated snow room chilled to 14 degrees Fahrenheit with fresh powder snow, and other wellness spaces where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the icy landscape outside.
LOOK UP: These unique Northern Lights tours offer unforgettable ways to see the Aurora Borealis
Another Ponant ship, L'Austral, was designed by acclaimed French architect Jean Philippe Nuel and offers plenty of comforts for passengers. Sustainability is a key focus for the company, which will debut its Swap2Zero (Sustainable, Wind Assisted Propulsion, Zero Emission Ready) zero-emission transoceanic ship in 2030.
Ponant's high-end Antarctica cruises include its 12-day Emblematic Antarctica sailing that features sea kayaking and hiking, the 19-day Great Austral Loop cruise that travels from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia to Antarctica, and the memorable Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea excursion. The company's expedition cruises always include a team of naturalist-guides and experts, and Ponant does everything it can to make Zodiac boat expeditions and other activities accessible to everyone.
4. Aurora Expeditions
A B-Corp-certified expedition travel company with more than 30 years of expedition experience, Aurora Expeditions offers small-group expeditions (about 130 passengers) to Antarctica on state-of-the-art expedition vessels like the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle. The company is committed to sustainable travel practices and eco-friendly operations, with a fleet purpose-built for low-impact exploration. That means elements like fuel-efficient engines, advanced waste management systems, and sustainable sourcing practices onboard to minimize the company's environmental footprint.
OLDER TRAVELERS: 8 best senior travel tour companies around the world
Each expedition doubles as a floating research platform, where passengers can participate in citizen science programs and educational workshops led by marine biologists, oceanographers, and conservationists. Activities on Aurora's Antarctica cruises include daily Zodiac excursions for wildlife viewing, guided hikes, and unique adventures like ice camping, kayaking, and even scuba diving on select trips.
Aurora's 2025-26 Antarctica season features a range of voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, with eight new itineraries visiting regions including East Antarctica, the Ross Sea, and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands and four voyages leaving from new departure points Hobart, Australia; and Dunedin, New Zealand. The season will also include the inaugural voyage of the Douglas Mawson, the company's newest state-of-the-art, purpose-built expedition ship that will sail more of Antarctica's regions than ever before. And Aurora Expeditions' first-ever women-only Antarctic voyage will launch in 2027.
5. Oceanwide Expeditions
Oceanwide Expeditions has three decades of polar expedition cruise experience offering intimate, small-ship journeys to some of the most remote regions in the world. That includes iconic Antarctic locations such as the Weddell Sea, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. It was named Best Expedition Cruise Operator for the Polar Destinations, Best Medium Expedition Cruise Operator, and Best Expedition Cruise Operator for Sustainability at the 2024 Expedition Cruise Awards.
MULTIGENATIONAL MAGIC: Seeing my mom push her limits on an Iceland tour reminded me why parents make great travel buddies
Operational flexibility allows the company to react to weather changes and local conditions. With extensive knowledge of the area, Oceanwide Expeditions can adjust plans on the fly and offer guests alternative landing sites and daily itineraries. Its three purpose-built expedition vessels that operate in Antarctica (the largest of which carries up to 170 guests) are smaller than many other vessels and can therefore access more remote areas.
Onboard staff include biologists, conservationists, glaciologists, photographers, and polar historians who share their in-depth knowledge of the polar regions with guests. The family-owned company prioritizes authentic experiences over luxury, helping guests connect with the natural world and enjoy memorable wildlife encounters through sea and land-based activities. Ships operate under an open bridge policy, allowing guests to interact with the captain and crew or use the space for viewing wildlife and photography.
6. HX Expeditions
HX Expeditions has been leading adventure travel trips since 1896 and has more than 20 years of experience operating in Antarctica. The company's Antarctic fleet includes two hybrid battery-powered vessels: MS Roald Amundsen, the world's first of its kind; and MS Fridtjof Nansen, the newest addition to the company's fleet.
Cruises to Antarctica with HX Expeditions now include everything from meals and daily activities onboard to excursions like kayaking through ice packs and snowshoeing across the tundra. The onboard Science Center hosts lectures and workshops that help passengers gain a deeper understanding of the region, and travelers can also contribute to long-term research by taking part in the Citizen Science program led by Dr. Verena Meraldi, the cruise industry's first on-staff chief scientist.
ON THE MOVE: The best good walking, trekking, and hiking tour companies
New Antarctica trips include Audubon Voyages with a focus on bird conservation. In celebration of 130 years since its first expedition, HX Expeditions will launch the new Explorer's Route itinerary in 2026, a nine-day journey across the Antarctic Peninsula during which guests will visit the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea, Gerlache Strait, and Penola Strait. The company also recently launched a new pre-voyage Antarctica course in partnership with the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies available to travelers 60 days before departure.
7. Poseidon Expeditions
Founded in 1999 as an operator of cruises to the North Pole aboard a nuclear icebreaker, Poseidon Expeditions later expanded to offer trips to Svalbard, Greenland, and Antarctica. Guests can book South Georgia and Falklands cruises or Antarctic Peninsula cruises that travel aboard the 114-passenger M/V Sea Spirit.
ACT FAST: Whale photography tips from an expedition cruise photo instructor
The ship's smaller size means everyone can go ashore together, avoiding the rotation system required on larger vessels and maximizing guests' time on land. Poseidon's 'old school' expedition cruising philosophy puts the focus on time spent off ship and immersed in nature via activities like Zodiac cruises, hiking, polar plunges, wildlife encounters, and kayaking. Those experiences are complemented by an onboard 'edutainment' program that includes lectures and workshops.
The Sea Spirit blends a feeling of adventure with a high level of comfort, amenities, and service desired by many cruise-travelers, and every guest receives a complimentary polar parka for landings and Zodiac cruises. The company was named Best Polar Expedition Cruise Operator at the 2024 International Travel Awards and will be expanding the Sea Spirit's austral summer season in the Southern Ocean through April for the 2026-27 Antarctic season.
8. G Adventures
G Adventures has taken travelers on polar journeys for more than 15 years on its Expedition vessel. For the upcoming Antarctica season, it will be introducing a new vessel that will take on the Expedition name, offering 128 travelers an enhanced onboard experience while still preserving the adventurous and welcoming spirit that defines the company's polar tours.
TAKE A TRIP: 12 best G Adventures tours to take in 2025
Embarking on its first G Adventures departure to Antarctica in October 2025, the new ship will be significantly more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, helping the company in its goals to reduce its environmental footprint across all operations. Initial calculations estimate that the overall carbon footprint per person per day will drop by up to 30% by transitioning to the new ship. The new vessel features a restaurant and bar, presentation lounge, library, fitness area, observation and sun decks, and 70 cabins offering G Adventures' most modern and stylish accommodations to date, with each featuring either an ocean-facing porthole or window.
Travelers will enjoy the benefits of small-ship sailing, with 11 zodiacs hosting two daily excursions and all travelers having the opportunity to leave the ship at each stop. With at least 14 expedition experts on board (specializing in everything from marine biology to ornithology), the 10:1 passenger to expert ratio gives travelers the opportunity to connect with some of the region's leading experts and attend daily lectures. The new Expedition ship will operate five Antarctica itineraries, including the 11-day Antarctica Classic, 21-day Spirit of Shackleton journey, and 22-day Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica trip.
8 best tour companies for a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica cruise originally appeared on TourScoop.com.
More from TourScoop:
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US teen influencer pilot accused of unauthorized Antarctic landing reaches deal to leave Chile
A judge in Chile has agreed to suspend proceedings against a teenage American pilot and social media influencer who has been stuck on a remote Antarctic island since late June after he was accused of landing there without permission. Ethan Guo was attempting to fly to all seven continents solo, raising funds for cancer research, when he landed on a part of Antarctica where the South American country maintains a territorial claim. Prosecutors accused him of providing false information to ground control about his landing point. On Monday, a judge approved an agreement between Guo's lawyers and prosecutors to suspend the proceedings on the condition that he donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days. He must also leave the country and will be prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years. Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisosto told CNN on Tuesday that if Guo does not meet the conditions, the agreement would become void and the court proceedings would continue. CNN is attempting to reach Guo for comment. Crisosto said Guo and his plane were still in Antarctic territory and that he would also have to pay the costs of 'aircraft security and personal maintenance.' In previous cases, he said, such costs have been roughly $600 a day. Guo has several options to leave the Antarctic, Crisosto added, including boarding a military ship or commercial plane. The next commercial flight is expected to take off from the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas in early October. Chilean authorities said that Guo had submitted a false flight plan and took off from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas as the sole passenger and crew member aboard a Cessna 182Q aircraft, registered as N182WT, in late June. At one point during that flight, authorities say he turned off course toward Antarctica. Guo's lawyer has previously said that the young pilot experienced 'complications' while flying. 'While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,' Karina Ulloa said, adding that Guo claims 'that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not.' Guo, whose website states he was trying to raise $1 million for cancer research by becoming 'the first person ever to fly to all seven continents solo,' had broadcast his continent-hopping journey since last September to more than a million Instagram followers. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
Your summer travel could be helping you prevent dementia — here's how to get the most out of it
Need an excuse to finally book that bucket-list vacation? Research suggests that traveling can be a boon for your brain, with some studies finding it may benefit dementia patients and even help fend off cognitive decline. That matters now more than ever. By 2060, 1 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with the memory-robbing disease every year — nearly double today's numbers. Advertisement 3 Engaging in travel-related activities can provide cognitive, sensory and social stimulation. tunedin – Experts estimate that up to 45% of dementia cases could be delayed or even prevented with simple lifestyle changes, and travel lines up with several of them. But a brain-boosting getaway takes more than a passport and a plane ticket. Read on to find out how to travel smart — and stay sharp. #1. Go somewhere new Advertisement Sure, your go-to beach resort is a blast. But if you want a trip that works your mind, opt for a different destination. New environments and experiences help stimulate mental activity — which may slow cognitive decline or even sharpen function. 3 Engaging in new learning experiences is critical for staving off age-related cognitive decline. JackF – Think: museum strolls, historic walking tours, nature hikes or sampling local dishes. Advertisement Traveling 'forces us to learn new things, navigate new environments and understand new routines that perhaps we are not accustomed to,' Dr. Augusto Miravalle, a neurologist, told Huffpost. #2. Get moving A trip packed with activity is more than just good fun — it's brain fuel. 'Exercise is often an important component of tourism experiences, and it is frequently included in dementia intervention plans,' Jun Wen, tourism lecturer at Edith Cowan University, told National Geographic. Advertisement Even small amounts of movement can make a big difference. One study found just 35 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity could cut your chances of developing dementia by 41%. 'The fact that travel is an active thing will signal to the brain to stay in shape,' Dr. David A. Merrill, a geriatric psychiatrist, told BrainHQ. #3. Make connections Booking a girls' trip or family reunion is great for bonding — and even better for your brain. Traveling also opens the door to social interactions with strangers, adding an extra dose of mental stimuli to your trip. 3 Engaging with others enhances memory and processing speed, boosting brain health. Drazen – Lack of social interaction is well-known risk factors for cognitive decline. In fact, a new study found that being socially active may delay dementia onset in older adults by as much as five years. Staying social helps strengthen neural circuits, making them more resistant to the age-related damage that leads to memory loss. It also activates the same areas of the brain involved in thinking and recall. 'Social activity challenges older adults to participate in complex interpersonal exchanges, which could promote or maintain efficient neural networks in a case of 'use it or lose it,'' explained Dr. Bryan James, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush University and lead author of the study. Spending time with others can also help ward off loneliness and depression — both of which are linked to a higher chance of developing dementia later in life, even for those diagnosed with mental health issues earlier on.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
Influencer Ethan Guo, 19, stranded in the Chilean Antarctic since landing plane without permission
What was intended as a fundraising mission for cancer research has become a nightmare for American teen influencer Ethan Guo, who has been stuck since June in a remote location in Chilean territory in Antarctica. Authorities say Guo landed his small plane illegally after providing false flight plan information to officials who opened an investigation. Guo made headlines last year when the then-19-year-old teen began a trip in an attempt to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents and, at the same time, collect donations for research into childhood cancer. 4 American teen influencer Ethan Guo has been stuck since June in a remote location in Chilean territory in Antarctica. AP As part of his trip, the teen, who identifies as Asian American, planned to go to the Antarctic, but according to the authorities, he lied to officials by providing authorities with 'false flight plan data.' Prosecutors said he had been authorized to only fly over Punta Arenas, but that he kept going south, heading for Antarctica in his Cessna 182Q — a single-engine light aircraft known for its versatility. Guo was charged on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization, but on Monday, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile's prosecutors. It requires the teen to give a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial. He must also leave the country as soon as conditions allow and is prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years. On Monday, after the judge's ruling, Guo told The Associated Press in a text message that he was 'relieved by the outcome.' 4 Guo was charged on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization, but on Monday, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile's prosecutors. @ For the past six weeks, since being charged, he has stayed at a military base. He was not forced to stay there, only to remain in Chilean territory, but because of the severe winter in that part of the southern hemisphere, there haven't been any available flights he could take. And he has been unable to fly his Cessna. 4 Authorities say Guo landed his small plane illegally after providing false flight plan information to officials who opened an investigation. Reuters Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto on Monday told reporters that Guo's plane 'does not have the capabilities to make a flight,' without providing details. But the American teen influencer said he is talking with this lawyer to see if there's a way he can fly it. 4 Guo made headlines last year when the then-19-year-old teen began a trip in an attempt to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents and collect donations for research into childhood cancer. @ 'I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,' Guo told AP. 'I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.' The prosecutor's office said Guo must also pay all costs for his 'aircraft security and personal maintenance' during his stay at the military facility. He also needs to cover all expenses for his return.
