Antarctic Explorer featuring the Chilean Fjords – Sylvia Earle, March 2025

Antarctic Explorer featuring the Chilean Fjords – Sylvia Earle, March 2025

Trip Summary

Dates: Mar 1, 2025 – Mar 14, 2025
Duration: 14 Days
Adventure Options: Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Polar Diving, Snorkelling
Starting at $18,795.00View Prices

About the Antarctica & Chilean Fjords - Fly/Sail Expedition Itinerary

Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill. On this […]

Itinerary Map

Pricing Information

$18,795 - Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$20,395 - Aurora Stateroom Superior
$20,995 - Balcony Stateroom Category C
$22,095 - Balcony Stateroom Category B
$23,795 - Balcony Stateroom Category A
$25,995 - Balcony Stateroom Superior
$32,595 - Junior Suite
$38,595 - Captain's Suite

About the Antarctica & Chilean Fjords - Fly/Sail Expedition Itinerary

Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill. On this voyage, the splendid scenery extends through the Chilean Fjords, with channels flanked by majestic mountains.

  • Witness extraordinary wildlife including many mammals and birdlife that are unique to this area.
  • Zodiac cruise in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice and photograph enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs in various shades of blue.
  • Keep a close watch for the tail fluke of whales as they take a deep dive, see porpoising penguins and ice seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on ice floes.
  • Sail the Chilean Fjords, keeping watch for the many seabirds and marine wildlife including dolphins, sea lions and whales preparing to return to warmer climates for the winter.

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Punta Arenas

Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).


Day 2: Fly to King George Island & Embarkation

This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings.

Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.


Days 3 - 10: Antarctic Peninsula

It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.

Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.

While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting!

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.


Days 11 - 12: Drake Passage

Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.

With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.


Day 13 - Chilean Fjords

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting. Sail through fjords and channels flanked by majestic mountains discovered by European explorers over 500 years ago. Keep a look out for seabirds and marine wildlife including dolphins, sea lions, and whales preparing to migrate to Antarctica to fatten up on plentiful krill.


Day 14 - Punta Arenas

During the early morning, we are quietly slipping into dock in Punta Arenas, where we begin disembarking at around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow travellers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.

 

 


Welcome Aboard the Sylvia Earle


Due to sail soon, this new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer,  Dr. Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998 – this vessel pays tribute to Dr. Earle’s long-standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Dr. Sylvia Earle will be involved in the development of her namesake.

They drew on centuries of collective experience to map out the Sylvia Earle: purpose-built for expeditions to the most remote places on earth. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, this allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, inviting communal areas and unsurpassed environmental credentials, the Sylvia Earle offers the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.

Accommodating an average of 130-140 expeditioners per voyage, every cabin on the Sylvia Earle has an ocean view and nearly all have balconies. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, Zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym and wellness centre, jacuzzis, a mudroom and many other amenities.

Technical Specs

Capacity: 132
Staff: 15-18
Crew: 47-56
Cabins: 71
Decks: 8
Length: 104.4m
Breadth: 18.2 m
Draught: 5.3m
Cruising Speed: 10-12 Knots
Full Speed: 15.5 Knots
Gross tonnage: 7400
Registry: Bahamas
Active Stabilizers

Cabins & Amenities

The Sylvia Earle offers eighty comfortable staterooms ranging from porthole to balcony categories, all with en suite bathrooms and plenty of storage space. All staterooms feature twin or king bedding configuration.

Aurora Stateroom Triple Share (15 – 23 sqm): Located on Deck 3. Porthole, en suite
Can be converted to a Triple Stateroom

Aurora Stateroom Superior (20 – 22 sqm): Located on Deck 7
King or twin beds, en suite

Balcony Stateroom Category C (21 – 31 sqm):Located on Deck 4.
Private balcony, ensuite

Balcony Stateroom Category B (21 – 31 sqm): Located on Deck 4.
Private balcony, ensuite.

Balcony Stateroom Category A (21 – 31 sqm):Located on Deck 4.
Private balcony, ensuite.

Balcony Stateroom Superior (36 sqm): Located on Deck 7.
– Private balcony, ensuite and lounge.
– Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms

Junior Suite (44.4 sqm): Located on Deck 7.
– Private balcony, ensuite and lounge.
– 1 free pair of binoculars per suite
– 1-hour spa treatment per person (valid on 1-hour massage or facial treatment only)
– Free stocked mini bar (stocked once only)
– Gratuities/tips for crew included – to the value of AUD$15 per person per day
– 1 free bottle of champagne per suite

Captain’s Suite (46.3 sqm): Located on Deck 4.
– Private balcony, ensuite and lounge.
– 1 free pair of binoculars per suite
– 1-hour spa treatment per person (valid on 1-hour massage or facial treatment only)
– Free stocked mini bar (stocked once only)
– Gratuities/tips for crew included – to the value of AUD$15 per person per day
– 1 free bottle of champagne per suite

 

Ship Facilities:

  • State of the Art Lecture Facilities
  • Science Centre & Lounge
  • Library
  • Mudroom
  • Swimming Pool & Sun Deck
  • Sauna, Spa & Gym
  • Dining
  • Bars & Lounges

 

Notes

  • Flights included for Fly/Cruise itineraries
  • All Antarctic voyages include one night’s pre-voyage accommodation and arrival airport transfer (on selected preferred flights)
  • Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate in all cabin categories
  • Please note that emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory for all passengers joining an expedition to Antarctica.
  • Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.

Optional Adventure Activities:

  • Kayaking
  • Snowshoeing
  • Ski/ Snowboard Touring
  • Alpine hiking/climbing
  • Polar Diving
  • Stand-up paddleboarding
  • Shackleton Crossing in South Georgia
  • Camping  (Free of Charge)
  • Photography (Free of Charge)

Ask us about pricing for your preferred adventure option!

Book now for early bird discounts on the 2024-25 season

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