Incredible Ice Sculptures Formed By Nature On An Antarctic Adventure

Photos courtesy of Kevin Austin

Have you ever watched a travel show of a remote place that looked so beautiful that you wondered to yourself, “Is this even real?”

Antarctica is such a place.

While getting there isn’t easy, the journey is worth it.

The Atlas World Traveller as seen from shore in Antarctica

We booked a trip on Atlas Ocean Voyages to Antarctica, out of Buenos Aires, Argentina—a fabulous place to spend a few days prior to leaving for Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of South America, where the ship embarks.

Atlas has two ships that explore Antarctica from October through March: the World Traveller and The World Navigator. They each carry only 200 passengers and about 98 crew members, including an onboard expedition team comprised of oceanographers, ornithologists and other science and nature experts.

Kayaking among icebergs gives a whole new perspective

The Atlas Ocean Voyages ships are small but luxurious, and the staff will make sure you are always attended to.

The first two days out of Ushuaia are taken up crossing the Drake Passage, one of the roughest bodies of water in the world. It’s an adventure, but as people on board said of The Drake Shake, “You have to go through the bad to get to the incredible here.”

The South Shetland Islands, 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica, are the beginning of your exploration of the region. If you are lucky, whales and penguins will welcome you. Passengers have described initially seeing land here for the first time as life-changing; many are driven to tears.

Once in Antarctica, your landings are “captain’s choice,” based on weather conditions. The goal is to have two landings per day via Zodiac boats, but if that proves impossible, Atlas provides small boats to cruise around in, without landing, which can prove to be just as enjoyable and informative.

There are only 100 people from the ship allowed on land at a time in Antarctica to preserve the landscape and wildlife. It is a sacred place of immense beauty and must be protected and preserved for future generations.

The wildlife in Antarctica includes many species of birds that you most likely have never seen before, such as the Skua, pink-faced Sheathbill and the Antarctic Tern. Humpback whales are present and, if you are quick, you can get the classic “whale tail” photo. Seals can be spotted lazily sleeping on glaciers, and waddling penguins will greet you at most every landing.

There are possible stops at old whaling stations and volcanoes, and—weather permitting—a landing on the seventh continent, which is a memory you will never forget.

The Polar Plunge is a bucket list item for many voyagers. Smile for the camera and get a picture that will take bragging rights to a new level. Not many people can say they jumped into the Antarctic Ocean!

Other excursions include kayaking, camping overnight on the Antarctic Peninsula, and 12-course gourmet dinners with the ship’s chef.

Once back on board your ship, relax at the spa, heated pool or hot tub, or work out in the gym. However, most everyone will spend any free time using the provided binoculars looking for wildlife. 

As with most cruises, breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style as the Zodiac landings are spaced throughout the day. A seated dinner is served every night. There are different theme nights in the lounge. It’s a place for everyone to get together after excursions and trade stories—even if it’s to talk about sights that left you speechless.

Check atlasoceanvoyages.com for prices and more details.  

Caren Austin is a writer for several Colorado magazines. She lives in Evergreen with her husband and two dogs.