Fly the Drake — Antarctic expedition cruising without the two-day crossing
The pioneer of Antarctic Air-Cruise — fly two hours from Punta Arenas (Chile) to King George Island, board a small expedition ship, skip the rough Drake Passage entirely. Three boutique vessels, ultra-luxury polar accommodation, Antarctic itineraries from 6 to 14 nights. No widget — bookable through us direct with the operator.
Antarctica21 sails from the ports listed below — every voyage is bookable through us directly.
Every voyage is bookable through us, tailor-made — we package the cruise with international flights, transfers, and pre- or post-cruise stays so your whole trip is arranged in one place.
Six reasons we recommend this line to the right kind of traveller.
Antarctica21 invented the Antarctic Air-Cruise. A two-hour BAE 146 flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island lands you in Antarctica directly. No 36-48 hour Drake Passage crossing each way. Saves up to four days at sea and removes the single most common reason travellers avoid Antarctica.
Magellan Explorer carries just 100 guests; Hebridean Sky 100; Ocean Nova 69. By far the smallest expedition fleet sailing Antarctica — meaning more zodiac landings per day, closer wildlife encounters and a community-feel on board.
On most days you'll make two zodiac landings — penguin rookeries, research stations, sheltered bays, fur-seal beaches. Optional sea-kayaking, snowshoeing, camping ashore and stand-up paddleboard on select expeditions.
Each voyage carries naturalists, glaciologists, photographers, ornithologists and Antarctic historians. Daily lectures, on-deck wildlife spotting, photography masterclasses. Genuine expedition science, not lecture-cruise theatre.
Every Antarctica21 fare includes the Punta Arenas hotel stay before and after, the charter flights to and from King George Island, all meals on board, soft drinks and house wine at lunch and dinner, all zodiac landings and lectures, polar parka to keep, expedition boots loan, and gratuities.
Founded in Punta Arenas in 2003 by Chilean entrepreneur Tomás Holik, Antarctica21 has run the Antarctic Air-Cruise format longer than any other operator. The expedition staff are mostly returning Antarctic-season specialists.
No cruise line is for everyone. Here's where Antarctica21 might not fit. We'll point you elsewhere if so.
Antarctica21 ships carry 69-100 guests — boutique expedition scale. No theatre productions, no waterparks, no formal nights, no casinos. The ship is for sleeping, eating and lecture-listening; the Antarctic is the entertainment.
Air-Cruise is a premium product — the charter flights add significant cost over traditional ship-only Antarctic voyages from Ushuaia. Compare Antarctica21's 6-night Air-Cruise to a 10-12 night ship-only voyage on Hurtigruten Expeditions, Quark or HX.
Antarctica21 has age minimums of 8+ on most voyages, with specific physical fitness requirements (zodiac transfers, polar conditions). Not suitable for under-8s, and the adult atmosphere isn't family-themed.
This is expedition cruising — small ships, ice-strengthened hulls, daily zodiac operations, lecture programmes, polar weather. If you want gentler Antarctic Peninsula sailing with a larger ship and resort-style amenities, look at Silversea Expedition or Seabourn Venture.
The Antarctica21 fleet at a glance.
Purpose-built for the Antarctic Air-Cruise — 100 guests, expedition-grade ice-strengthened hull, panoramic observation lounges and the most spacious cabins in the fleet. Launched 2019 as Antarctica21's first owned ship.
Boutique expedition ship sailed by Antarctica21 under charter — 100 guests, classic small-ship layout with all-suite accommodation, library lounges and an open-bridge policy.
The smallest ship in the fleet — just 69 guests for the most intimate Antarctic expedition experience. Originally built for Greenland coastal service; ice-class hull designed for polar conditions.
A glance at the on-board experience and the destinations beyond the ship.
A single main dining room with Chilean-South American influence. Locally sourced ingredients flown in with each voyage, daily menus that change with the route. Casual atmosphere; soft drinks, house wine and Chilean reds included at lunch and dinner.
Penguin rookeries, leopard seal cruises, humpback whale encounters, blue-tinted icebergs, glacier calving, historic research stations, abandoned whaling sites. The expedition voyage is built around outside time — most days have two zodiac landings or cruises.
Antarctica21 maintains an open-bridge policy — guests are welcome to spend time with the officers, see the charting and navigation, ask questions. Genuine working bridge access that is rare on larger expedition lines.
Sea-kayaking (Antarctic kayaking with experienced guides), snowshoe excursions, snowboard descents on virgin slopes, polar camping for one overnight on the continent. Bookable in advance, weather-and-conditions permitting on the day.
Quiet onboard spaces for processing the day — a substantial polar library, a multi-purpose lecture room, panoramic observation lounges. Cabins are simple but warm with desk space for journaling and photo editing.
Every Antarctica21 fare bakes these in.
Pre- and post-voyage hotel nights in Punta Arenas — included
BAE 146 flights to and from King George Island in Antarctica
Three meals daily plus snacks, included on board
Chilean house wines, beer, soft drinks at lunch and dinner
Parka to keep, expedition boots on loan — included
Every expedition activity included; optional adventure add-ons paid
Antarctica21 is small enough that returning guests receive personal touches without needing a tier system. Most voyages have an alumni reception and exclusive past-guest offers are sent to repeat clients.
A Travel Designer who knows Antarctica21 will pick the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin tier for you. No call centres.