Antarctica
Antarctica, one of the World’s last frontiers, is a perfect example of where Water, Wilderness and Wildlife combine with breath-taking perfection. The continent is magnificent, inspiring visitors with its majestic beauty and dramatic ice scenery. Towering white mountains, sweeping glaciers and icebergs form an unrivalled backdrop for an abundance of penguins, sea birds, whales and seals which reside here. 

Our in-depth experience tells us that small ship expedition cruises provide the very best insight into this wilderness. Maximise your time off ship through daily expert guided walks, supported by evening presentations and delivering intense memorable encounters with Antarctica and its wildlife. Aqua-Firma invite you to explore the continent by small ship departures from Ushuaia or by flight across the Drake's Passage from Chile.

Antarctica Planning - A Regional Guide
Being larger than USA and Mexico combined, it is not surprising that Antarctica offers a number of distinct regions to explore. One of the first steps is to decide which part of the continent you wish to spend time in !

Our simple Guide to Antarctica is a good place to start.

When to visit
Our small ship Antarctic voyages are available Oct-March. In late October, there are huge volumes of ice and snow, a scenically pristine environment. Penguin courtship displays signify the height of the breeding season. It is an adventurous, memorable and cost-effective time to visit, though access to deeper sites within Antarctica may be blocked still be ice.

By December and January noisy penguin chicks and seal pups dominate and by March, as the season progresses, we continue to witness an increased abundance of whales.

Small ship voyages
Carrying between 12 and 200 passengers,  strong, comfortable ships foster an intimate atmosphere for like minded people who share a true passion for remote, wild and wonderful corners of our planet. Ships vary appreciably in level of comfort from an expedition ship to a more luxurious small ship cruise offering spacious en suite cabins and excellent cuisine. All our voyages are designed for close encounters and deeper insights into the Antarctica environment maximising time spent off the ship with inspired daily landings, informed presentations and exploration in the company of experts.

A full complement of Zodiac craft (rigid inflatable boats) facilitate small group exploration. Onboard  lecture programmes span subjects such as: wildlife, birdlife and marine life as well as human history, geology, and polar conservation.

 

Your guides are the key to inspire and enrich your knowledge of the unique polar environment. Aqua-Firma marine scientists, guides, polar divers and kayakers have many years of in depth on location experience. Specialist knowledge on certain trips enable us to offer Antarctic adventure options such as kayaking, camping, mountaineering, paddle boarding  and polar photography workshops onboard.

Antarctica is probably the ultimate wilderness polar diving location, one which few have had the privilege to experience. Aqua-Firma has the expertise to explore beneath Antarctica's icebergs and glaciers, a little known world of sculpted blue ice formations. Click here for advice from our experts: Diving in Antarctica

Our promise and your protection

 

Polar voyages are a major commitment for most travellers. We offer a personal and professional service with a promise that for any experience which is directly comparable, our prices are never beaten.   Detailed information is provided throughout your booking and preparation process and with our first hand experience we are always available to answer any questions, no matter how small, giving 24 hour support before you depart and whilst away.

 

Although our voyages can be enjoyed as stand alone experiences, we are a fully ATOL bonded travel company and happy to provide flights and accommodation before and after your voyage. Aqua-Firma have the expertise to extend your travel plans and are a specialist at tailor made travel within Argentina and other parts of Latin America.

 

Our Commitment to the Climate   Aqua-Firma is committed to the conservation of the places it visits. This is why, at the inception of Aqua-Firma, we established our Rainforest4Climate Programme to help address carbon emissions created by your voyage & flights booked through us for polar voyages.

 

 

Select one of our Antarctic experiences for further voyage reviews