Arrival in Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia and settle into your pre-expedition hotel before the Antarctic voyage begins.
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ANTARCTICA · WILDLIFE EXPEDITION · WHALE MIGRATION
Antarctica’s Great Whale Migration
Journey into Antarctica during the late-summer whale migration, combining wildlife-rich waters, twice-daily Zodiac excursions and immersive exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula.
LETZPLAN OFFBEAT · ANTARCTICADuration11 Days / 10 Nights
Start / EndUshuaia, Argentina
Best Window12 – 22 March 2028
Journey StyleWildlife Expedition Voyage
THE EXPERIENCE
Meet Antarctica at the height of whale season.
Late summer brings the Southern Ocean to life as sea ice retreats and nutrient-rich waters support abundant krill. Humpback whales, minke whales and orcas gather around the Antarctic Peninsula, alongside penguins, seals and an extraordinary variety of seabirds. This expedition is designed around immersive wildlife encounters, guided shore landings and time on the water in one of Antarctica’s most dynamic seasons.
Whale-focused exploration
Travel during the late-summer migration period with opportunities to encounter humpback, minke and orca in krill-rich Antarctic waters.
Twice-daily exploration
Use Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings to experience wildlife colonies, glaciers, icebergs and sheltered Antarctic bays.
Expert-led discovery
Learn from expedition naturalists through onboard lectures, wildlife briefings and interpretation throughout the voyage.
HIGHLIGHTS
Five defining moments of the expedition.
Whale Encounters
Witness the peak of Antarctica’s annual whale migration as humpbacks, minkes and orcas gather in krill-rich waters.
The Antarctic Peninsula Experience
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula through twice-daily Zodiac cruises and guided shore landings.
Diverse Wildlife Encounters
Spot penguins, seals, albatrosses and seabirds in one of the world’s richest wildlife environments.
Learn from Experts
Learn from expert naturalists through engaging onboard lectures and wildlife briefings.
Purpose-built Expedition
Travel aboard the purpose-built expedition vessel Sylvia Earle, designed for immersive polar exploration.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL12 – 22 March 2028
Late summer is a particularly rewarding period for whale-focused Antarctic exploration.
IDEAL TIME TO VISIT
Travel when the Southern Ocean is alive with wildlife.
March is widely considered one of the strongest periods for whale sightings in Antarctica, especially for humpback and minke whales feeding toward the end of the expedition season.
- Peak late-summer whale activity
- Wildlife-rich waters around the Antarctic Peninsula
- Long daylight hours for exploration
- Opportunities for penguin, seal and seabird encounters
ITINERARY
Eleven days from Ushuaia into Antarctica’s wildlife-rich waters.
The following is the planned journey framework. Exact landings, routing and activity order can change with weather, sea ice, wildlife, vessel operations and safety conditions.
Embarkation
Board the expedition vessel Sylvia Earle, meet the expedition team and begin the journey through the Beagle Channel.
Drake Passage Crossing
Cross the legendary Drake Passage while attending expert lectures and scanning the skies for albatrosses, giant petrels and other seabirds.
Antarctic Peninsula Exploration
Explore the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula through Zodiac excursions and shore landings. Look for whales in sheltered bays while encountering penguins, seals, glaciers, icebergs and pristine polar landscapes.
Return Across the Drake Passage
Begin the voyage north with final wildlife sightings, expert presentations and time to reflect on the Antarctic adventure.
Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Sail through the scenic Beagle Channel before disembarking in Ushuaia and concluding the expedition.
THE POLAR LANDSCAPE
A journey told in whales, ice and open water.
A selection of imagery from the experience source material, presented within LetzPlan’s Offbeat visual language.
WHERE TO STAY
Sylvia Earle
The expedition voyage is operated aboard a purpose-built polar expedition vessel, with accommodation arranged around the expedition schedule.
Sylvia Earle
Antarctic Expedition Vessel · Cruise
A purpose-built polar expedition vessel supporting wildlife exploration, Zodiac excursions and guided landings.
Accommodation, cabin category and final vessel arrangements are subject to expedition availability and will be confirmed during enquiry.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Built around nature, weather and wildlife.
Antarctica is a remote operating environment. The route, landing locations, activity order and wildlife-viewing opportunities can change because of weather, sea ice, wildlife behaviour, vessel operations and other safety considerations.
Operational flexibility
The itinerary is a framework rather than a guarantee of exact timings or landings. Expedition leadership may adjust the route to make the most of safe operating windows.
Wildlife encounters
Whale sightings are a central focus of this journey, but wildlife remains wild and sightings, species and behaviour cannot be guaranteed.
START PLANNING
Ready to experience Antarctica’s great whale migration?
Tell us your preferred travel window, number of travellers and what draws you most to Antarctica. We’ll help you understand the current expedition options and availability.